Hello, and thank you for having me! Today I am discussing ages of characters.
I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the less inclined I am to read about characters in their late teens and early twenties falling in love.
It was fine when I was in that age bracket, but I’m, ahem, a tad older than that now. Alright – I’m a lot older by about four decades. I really don’t want to read about such young couples.
I’ve been published since 2003, and writing about older characters had never entered my mind. Until it did.
Don’t ask me why, because I really don’t know why, but suddenly I started noticing how young the main characters were in the romances I was reading. That got me to thinking. There were almost no books (that I could find anyway) in the romance and romantic suspense genres.
As a result, for the past few years or so, I began writing mature age romances. But after reading a number of reviews and chatting with my readers (many of whom are in my age bracket), it became clear, they too preferred to read more mature characters.
It was also around this time, I was reintroducing romantic suspense to my books. It was how I began my writing career, but for reasons unknown to even me, I stopped writing it. Again, by listening to my readers, it became clear, they were enjoying my romantic suspense books.
I have now completely moved away from writing historical western romance, and only writing mature age romantic suspense. At this point, I am writing historical, but you never know when I might slip in a contemporary romantic suspense, as I enjoy writing those too.
One thing I have learned, after writing over 130 books (according to Amazon – I’ve lost count!) is if I don’t enjoy writing something, readers won’t enjoy reading it.
I am not a plotter – I tried it once, and the story felt already written, to the point I couldn’t write the book. The joy for me, is having the story unfold in front of me.
I write organically. Most authors call it being a pantser. I loathe the terminology. It sounds unprofessional to me, like it’s not a real method of writing. But for authors like me, and there are literally thousands of us, it works. Many authors who don’t plot, have written themselves into a corner at some point, and haven’t been able to continue the book.
I admit, I did it once, and that was my very first novel. I had written around 30,000 words at that point, and it took several weeks to fix it.
I’ve never done it again.
When I begin a book, I know little more than my character’s names, which I inevitably change, and the fact the story will be a woman in jeopardy scenario. Sometimes it has been turned on its head and the female character ends up saving the guy.
My aim, when writing, is to entertain my readers. To write a story that is uplifting, and has a HEA, which all romances must have, is always my aim. There is no reason mature age characters, that is, characters over forty, cannot achieve their HEA, even if they believe they are too old to do so.
What is your preference? Characters in their twenties or more mature aged characters? Or maybe you like to read both. Let me know in the comments. I will do a random drawing for an ebook (sent via BookFunnel) for two readers who comment.
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Check out my most recent series, the Unwelcome Brides. (Mature Age Romantic Suspense). Book One is only 99c. *Each book in the series is completely standalone.
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I, too, have a few years so that I do enjoy the more mature, altho I don’t always want suspense added , What confounds me is how you can, with little more than the names of your characters, sit down and write a story! I’m sure glad you can. Thanks.
Ginni, sometimes that question confounds me too. At times, a story simply pops into my head. With the book I am writing now, I saw the image of the models and immediately went “he’s a gambler”. The story followed. The life of an author is often a strange one.
Yes! Those of us who are termed “mature” deserve to read books written about people our age. I still read books about much younger people but am glad some authors realize there’s a need for protagonists like this.
We definitely think alike, Mary. I too, do read books with younger characters, but they are mostly thirty plus. Those eighteen year olds don’t thrill me anymore.
Although it depends on the storyline and characters. I’ve read quite a few mature romances and am leaning more toward those now since I’m 75. Cheryl, you are one of my favorite authors, along with Dora Hiers, who also writes mature romances.
Have a blessed day.
Oh, Julie, you are so very sweet. I write the kind of books I love to read. Later in Life characters, as Amazon likes to call them, are definitely my favourites now. I’ll be 70 in less than a year, and it just feels wrong to be reading about characters in their teenage years and early twenties. My grandchildren are in that age group!
The mature age characters.
Thanks for stopping by, Kim. Good to hear from you.
I have read both but am finding the young ones are not the ones I want to read.
Debra, I am like you. There was a time I was happy to read those younger characters, but now I prefer the older ones.
Definitely older, mature couples. It is easier to relate to them the older I get. Thank you for writing them.
Those older couple have lived life. They are wiser, like us, Ann. Maybe that’s why we enjoy them more.
I enjoy the more mature age books and I also enjoy suspense
We think alike, Rhonda. I can’t help myself – I love writing suspense, and if I don’t do it intentionally (which mostly I do), it finds a way to sneak into the story anyway.
I’m more interested in older characters than I am in younger ones.
Sometimes the younger ones are written more childishly than I want to deal with.
Be assured, MaryEllen, you won’t find immature characters in my mature age romance. I guess that’s one of the benefits of being older myself. Although the 40-ish boat has long sailed for me.
The age of the characters doesn’t matter to me — the story does. In fact, I like it if the books I read have main characters of differing ages. to add variety.
Story is definitely important, and always has been for me since I began writing. I don’t write age gap romance. At least I haven’t so far, but never say never. However, if I did, they wouldn’t be decades apart.
I enjoy reading about younger and older characters. But, like a lot of readers, as I am older, I really enjoy reading about older characters. Thank you for writing about them.
Susan, you are most welcome. I really enjoy writing about older characters. I can relate to them very well, and enjoy reading books about mature age characters. It makes sense to write about them.
Welcome Cheryl! I just finished The Stonemason’s Unwelcome Bride and enjoyed it. I liked that he was a former Texas Ranger and decided 40 years old, he was ready to settle down from that. Yet, he still had the instincts. Which is experience. The older we get we gain more knowledge and experience by our past. I think this is what you are talking about Cheryl. As we grow older, we hopefully gain more of life’s ups and downs. Loosing parents, friends, classmates, or other of life’s unexpected challenges. We, as older readers, see the good and bad and it’s how we hold up in situations. Youth doesn’t have that, at least some don’t yet. Even if they do in their youth, they are changing and learning as they grow, as older adults.
With that said, I agree and enjoy the matured romances. I like that they can still find love in difficult and unexpected situations! But, I do read those 20 and 30 year olds too!
Best wishes to you Cheryl!
I’m so glad you enjoyed The Stonemason’s Unwelcome Winter Bride, Tracy. I always love hearing my books have brought joy. You are totally right – the older we get, the more wise we become.
Welcome today. Thanks for writing mature characters. A few years ago I realized that I was getting a little stuck with these twenty love birds. I mean there are some authors that I completely enjoy. But I was finding I enjoy the mature characters more. Probably because I could identify with them more now.
Lori, I think you are spot on. We get to a certain age, and find the younger characters are no longer relatable to us. It’s what happened to me, and I suddenly realised I was part of the problem. I started writing mature age characters a few years back, but only in certain books. Then I discovered my readers preferred mature age characters too. It all went from there.
I am definitely onboard the more mature characters train.
I think we get to a certain age, Nan, where we realise those young characters no longer fit our view of the type of characters we want to read.
I don’t know about you, Nan, but it just suddenly hit me one day I no longer wanted to read about young spritely characters. Those closer to forty, and over that age group were more to my liking.
I enjoy reading both. The mature charecters give us mature gals something to hope for when we don’t have that love and happiness we want.
I have never looked at it that way, Carrie. I’m so glad you are enjoying mature age characters.
Cheryl, it’s great to have you back. I hope you enjoy your visit. Your books have always caught my eye. The covers have all been really beautiful. I remember when the 1970s-2001 I only wanted to read about the younger heroines. But now, I can’t hardly bear those and want the H/H older. I love mature characters. But lately, I’ve found it really doesn’t matter. A good story is a good story no matter the age.
Thanks so much, Linda. I enjoy your books too. I do read books with younger characters, but mostly thirty plus. I’m really not into those in their teens or twenties anymore. Years ago, I read a book where the woman was sixteen, a widow, and pregnant with her dead husband’s child, and had remarried. It put me right off. I know that sort of thing happened in the Victorian era, but I don’t want to read about it. Tell me the woman is older than a teenager, and I’ll be okay with it. But yes, I do agree – a good story is what we all want.
Especially in contemporary romance, I prefer characters in their 30s. In historical romance, twenties is acceptable.
Denise, it is strange how we have different expectations for the varying genres. It’s really quite interesting.
I do prefer late 20’s- to mid 50’s for the main characters. I find a slightly more mature main character has more depth, especially in suspense. I do enjoy when older couples 60+ find 2nd chance at love as side characters. I love a good story though no matter how old the book or the characters are.
I have never written characters over fifty, but have certainly contemplated it. Perhaps in the future? I adore reading and writing second chance romance. There is something special about it.
I prefer older characters, now that I’m older. I find quite a few authors are writing older characters, though not as many as I’d like! lol!!
Isn’t it great, Trudy, there are more mature age romances available for those of us who enjoy them? I do think it’s catching on as we all get older.
It would nice to have more older character to read about in romance and fiction in general.
I do think the later in life stories are catching on, Jcp. There are far more books now with mature age characters than around four years ago. I read those when I can, but find them to be few and far between. That is all I write now – being ‘mature age’ myself, it seems appropriate.
I enjoy both.
Good to hear, Barbara.
I enjoy reading about all ages. When it is about a young couple it reminds me of when my husband and I met and fell in love. With more mature couples I can remember being that age and still in love with my husband. And, even now at a more mature age, we are still in love, but I still enjoy reading about others finding their HEA. Thanks for all your books and for the chance to win one of them.
That’s so lovely to hear, Sarah. Hubby and I celebrated 50 years of marriage last January, so I know what you are saying. Over the years, things change. Hopefully for the better.
I enjoy both. I’m seeing more mature characters in books now than before.
There are definitely more mature age characters now than previously, Karijean. It can only be a good thing for us, er, older readers.
either
That certainly makes it easier to find appropriate books.
I can read either as long as the story is compelling and interesting, I don’t think age affects how people find love and if they know if they ‘re feeling are true, my only problem is some writers try to write the characters how they think younger aged characters act which makes the whole plot seem silly and cringy with the “witty” banter between the young characters
That’s a shame, Laura. I try very hard to ensure my characters act in the manner a person of that age would behave.
I enjoy both but go more for the mature characters, most of the time.
Depending on the story, I can read both. I do prefer mature age characters though. It certainly makes it easier to find books to read if you enjoy all age groups.
I enjoy both. I just like to read .
That’s great. I love reading too. I’m glad you can find good books you enjoy.
I write historical which means a wife could be as young as 14 years old although mine have always been older – usually 18 or more. I am happy staying with that age, but that may be because I married at 18 and have been for the past 59 years so I know it can work. I have been with my husband for 63 years total. High-school sweethearts do make lifelong commitments and there were over 20 couples from our class of 100 students who remained married even though most married within a year of leaving school. I know we are an odd bunch, but I like to think my characters can do that too. We all met our HEA at a young age and we still get together to talk about our lives and loves of our lives. I hope it can go on for many more years. Love to all
I, too, married at 18, Susan. That was 50 years last January. I think back then, we were more committed to marriage. It was much harder to divorce, so couples stayed together and got through the rough patches. Congratulations on 63 years. That’s a long time. Although girls could marry at 14 back then, it is not palatable for readers today. We can’t change history, but we can make it easier to swallow.
Great post Cheryl. I certainly do think mature age characters are great as their extra years on this earth gives them more depths of experience than younger ones would have.
Thanks for stopping by, Margaret. I totally agree. The older we get, the wiser we become. At least we hope so!
I don’t mind reading books with couples of most ages. I am glad to see more authors writing stories based on older, more mature in age couples. ( Age does not always equal maturity in behavior.). Romance and love do not stop at any particular age. There are loving couple well into their 80’s and 90’s. I think older couples appreciate and understand each other better and know what is important for the relationship to be healthy and happy. Lucky couples reach that point at an relatively early point in their relationship and it grows through the years.
Depending on the time period, really young couples don’t work for me. I am talking 15 to 17 year olds in a serious, marriage type relationship. In a contemporary setting few are mature enough for it. In historical settings, that was often when they were facing marriage and raising a family.
You are so right, Patricia. I have known 30-40 year olds who have behaved like teenagers. And I’ve known teenagers who were far more mature than some adults. You are also correct in saying the era can also make a huge difference.