Writing a novel - Character ages?

Question

I'm 21 and I am writing a novel. There are a few characters in my novel and I want there to be some age difference between them. One of the characters I intended to be one of the older ones has a somewhat carefree personality. Do you think this type of personality just would not work for a 30-year-old guy? I feel like I have to make these characters close to my age, because to me...it seems like there is more variation in character with people around my age (in their twenties) than there are with people in their thirties or fourties. If I make some of these characters older, I'm afraid they'll come off as immature. Another character is kinda the emotional type and a bit of a dreamer, so if he was in his 30's, do you think he'd come off as immature?

I think my problem is that I don't have many friends who are that old. My oldest friend is 30 and he seems a lot more mature and level headed than me!

Answer 1

NEVER! anyone can be what they wanna be, ecspetially in a book, ;)

can you read this for me??

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 2

     Seventy and eighty year olds can be just as carefree and life-loving as twenty year olds.  It entirely depends what your story's about.  If younger people fit in  better, then go with them.  You might want to introduce a character who's a bit eccentric, and that would certainly suit a much older person.

Good luck

Mike B

Answer 3

The bottom line is, in real life, there are lots of immature 30, 40, 50 and 60 year olds. After that, they tend to start dying off.

Not trying to be facetious, but people are just people. They don't all age at the same rate, they don't all grow up at the same rate and they don't all have the same personalities. If anything, there is less variation is character in the younger persons, around 20, because they have not yet matured or experienced some of the vicissitudes of life.  

Answer 4

Well in real life you're going to meet all kinds. If you don't feel comfortable having this character in their 3o's, maybe late 2o's would make you feel better about this character. However it is nice to see something different in a while! =D I think have a 3o year old like that would be fun. I know one, and he's my Uncle (but he's currently sick right now so I haven't seen him in a while.)

You can do just about anything with your characters as long as they're believable. I think a 3o year old like that seems very believable. =)

Answer 5

I think there is a difference between the experiences you have at 21 and 30, just as there is for any age group.  If you think back to the difference between yourself when you were 18 and now at 21, you'll begin to see the type of progress that continues your whole life as well as significant elements of personality that don't change much.  The thing that will make your characters ring true is not thinking of them as archetypes (30 year old dreamer) but instead giving them characteristics that are familiar to you.  Do you talk with your hands?  Do you have carefree friends who amaze you with their ability to make everything seem like it's not a big deal (even when it is?)  Think through some solid characteristics and mannerisms and use those to flesh out characters.

Good luck and keep writing!

Answer 6

I really don't think age will be as much as a factor as to who your carefree personality will/will not work for.  Carefree Personality will, first and foremost, seek out a Carefree Boss who is flexible with hours, dress code, etc.  Carefree Personality will not want to work for a Rigid Boss who insists on a butt in the seat from 8-5, coat & tie, etc.  Carefree Boss and Rigid Boss can be any age.  I'd choose the age of Carefree Personality's boss more on what relates to you, not what you think the "right" age should be.  BTW, from all I've heard, Carefree Personality would likely be very happy working for Google.  I've heard they have a very flexible, fun environment.  Good luck, and post back when you publish your novel!

Answer 7

Well, that is certainly up to you! If you are confident about your writing style and your characters, it will work if you want it to. Plus, it's nice to see something different once in awhile, no?