#Thursdaythoughts on age and romance books…

I don’t make any secret about my age. I was born in 1960. That will make me 65 years old this year when my birthday rolls around. Retirement age ( although I did that at 55!), Medicare eligible ( if it’s even still around this May!), Social Security age ( not betting on that one sticking around for me to get.)

At my age, I have a lot of life experience, a little wisdom, a lot less life-angst, and some not-so-popular opinions about things – opinions that were forged in my Gen X/Babyboomer-cusp growing years.

My references, idioms, and colloquialisms about things are mostly from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. A few 2000s are thrown in there, but not many, and those are mostly references about movies, celebrity, and TV shows.

I tell you all this so you realize something. When I write a romance book, I am drawing on all my life experiences to pen the story. I have 64 years of life that go into each main character, story plotline, and character arc.

Since I am not 20, I don’t write about 20-year-olds. I couldn’t. I don’t have their experience or references. 20-year-olds are very different these days than they were in the 1980s when I was in my 20s. Very different. If I went back in time and wrote a love story about 2 people in 1985, I would be okay because that time period is familiar to me, as is how people in their 20s were thinking and acting back then.

I write some 30-year-olds, but they are usually on the south side of 35 and approaching their 40s.

I am comfortable writing love interests that range from 35+ up and until my present age because their experiences, life references, social media testimonials, and lifestyles are more in sync with my own.

Now, I know someone who reads this will think, isn’t she writing fiction? Can’t she imagine what it would be like to be a different age? The answer is yes, of course. But me writing a YA book or a 20s-something coming-of-age book for this time period we are currently in wouldn’t be authentic to the character. It would be like me writing a Viking love story set in 1425. I know nothing about the time period, Vikings, or anything else pertaining to the topic. I don’t write historical romance for the same reasons, plus, people who do read Viking romance, or historical, or omniverse are rabid fans and catch mistakes or missteps in the storyline without blinking an eye. I don’t want people reading my work and having it not be authentic, accurate, and open for ridicule.

I have enough stress in my life. I don’t need that stressor added to it.

So, when you pick up a book penned by me, you know what you are getting. Well-rounded characters with backstories you can understand and empathize with; usually smalltown, but some city stories as well ( my NYC Socialites series is about female billionaires), some romcom, some medical romance, second chances, and life stories about death, divorce, and mental health issues. All wrapped up in a love story you can relate to or escape to for a few hours.

So…if all that sounds good to you, check out my books. They are on Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Apple, plus you can get them from me, personally, through my website store, where the books are cheaper than the online places.

Happy reading, kids. ~ Peg