Writing a Novel at 13

Imagination doesn’t depend on age.

One of my young writer friends recently emailed me to say, among other things, that she believes it’s ridiculous to write a novel at her age, which is 13. This writer writes stories all the time, and yet she’s discouraged by the flaws in them, and she asks, “How am I going to ever write a novel in the future if I can’t accept my own ideas now?”

This is a wise person. She is well on her way. I’m posting my reply because I think it applies to a lot of us, at any age and any stage of doubt.

Dear R.,

The point is you’re writing all the time! That’s the best thing you can do to develop your writer’s heart. Don’t worry if stories seem flawed when you look back at them. Tinker with revising if that makes you happy, but jump ahead to the next idea if you’d rather. Here’s the thing. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Each writer finds her own way.
I often agonize over my early ideas for a novel and am sure the entire project is doomed or worthless. That’s pretty much normal around here. By the end, however, I’m super happy with how it turns out. I’m aMAZed by The Rule of Mirrors, for instance. Truly, deeply delighted with it. Something happens during the process and I’m learning to trust that.
So, quit worrying. Sink into your stories and explore. It is not ridiculous to write a novel at 13. You can only write one like that now, when you’re thirteen. At 14, you’ll write something else. In short, if you feel like writing a novel, go for it.
All best,
Caragh