Why I Write Older Characters
I figured since today is my 40th birthday, I’d share more about why I write older characters. Although there’s nothing wrong with younger protagonists, I’ve found myself filling my stories with characters who have weathered the storms of life. Let’s talk about why it’s fun to write (and read) stories that feature characters over the age of 30.
Why Are Older Characters Great?
Lives Well Lived
Older characters have so many layers of life built into them. Writing their stories allows me to explore everything that come with a life well-lived (or not so well lived, for that matter). These characters are already established in their lives in a lot of ways that younger ones aren’t. This makes for strongly formed personalities who are often stuck in their ways or really committed to their patterns, which is an interesting dynamic to explore—especially when they’re faced with challenges that force them into new territory. It also creates great tension when they’re forced to re-evaluate everything and upset their well-established lives.
Resonance of Realism
There's a certain realism that older characters bring to the table. Their stories embody the genuine struggles, joys, and reflections that accompany the different seasons of life. There’s often a much deeper well to pull from when the characters have been through a lot over time.
Navigating Universality in Aging
Aging is a universal experience that transcends cultural and societal boundaries. Writing older characters allows me to navigate the shared aspects of the human condition—themes of mortality, health, legacy, and the quest for meaning that resonate across generations. I like to explore how those factors affect decision making and relationships within these stories. It’s so juicy!
Embracing Diversity in Perspectives
I think it’s so important to embrace diversity in perspectives, and each character brings a unique viewpoint shaped by their generational context, cultural background, and personal history. Having characters from older generations can bring different insights than what we’d get from a younger character. Imagine the wisdom we could glean from those in their 30’s, 50’s, 70’s, and beyond!
Untold Stories of Later Chapters
The later chapters of life often go untold or underrepresented in literature. Writing older characters allows me to explore these untold stories, delving into the challenges and triumphs that don’t always get to be front and center in most novels. While I haven’t (yet) written stories featuring protagonists in their 60’s and beyond as perspective characters, I can’t think of a single manuscript which hasn’t included a relatively significant side character in advanced years. Bunsaku is essential to book one of The Manifold Chronicles. Gigi is a critical character for Bea in WSD (the book I’m querying right now), and Mary is a feisty octogenarian who makes an appearance in that same book. Drawing from my own grandparents’ experiences later in life, I’ve been able to share things related to death bed regrets, memory loss and memory care, and transitioning into roles where they once were the caretakers but now are the ones being cared for. It’s something that so many of us witness or experience in our own families, but we don’t always see these stories told in books.
Fostering Intergenerational Connections
Older characters become bridges that connect generations. Through their interactions with younger characters or through flashback narratives, the stories create a picture of intergenerational connections, illustrating the continuity of life's journey. It hasn’t been intentional, but all of my stories so far deal with inter-generational dynamics, and I think it’s because I see these connections as so valuable to society as a whole. The more we can all learn from each other’s experiences, young and old, the better.
Portraying the Beauty of Impermanence
The aging process embodies the beauty of impermanence. Writing older characters is a way of portraying this beauty—the acceptance of change, the embracing of imperfections, and the recognition that life's fleeting moments hold a unique kind of grace. Perhaps I’m romanticizing it a bit—I can admit that—but I truly do believe there’s something beautiful about the fact we’re only here for a certain amount of time, and when we see that in black and white on paper, it’s bittersweet. Bittersweet, and ultimately a beautiful reminder for us to all savor this life.
Exploring Legacy and Impact
Older characters often grapple with questions of legacy and the impact they will leave on the world. Writing their stories allows me to explore the ripple effects of their actions and the imprint they make on others. Most of us do start to think about these things as we get older, and most of us will wonder what we’ll leave behind when we’re gone, so it’s a universal theme, for sure.
Celebrating the Joys of Later Life
Life doesn't stop being vibrant in the later years. Writing older characters is a celebration of the joys that can be found in this stage of life—whether it's newfound freedom, rediscovered passions, or the deepening of connections that come with the passage of time.
I love exploring the human experience in its middle and later chapters. If my stories can show a wide range of what it means to be alive, through any and all stages of life, then I’m a happy writer.
Happy writing!
