What's Age Got To Do With It?

A few days ago, Paige Burns had a birthday, one somewhere between 33 and 85. Oops. I mean, 35. *grin* She wrote in her blog here at SEX about whether she felt old, looked old and sounded old. Thankfully, her answers to those questions were all "No." (And let me tell you, folks, the older you get, the older "old" is! At 16, anyone over 30 was old, and over 40... well, you already had one foot in the grave, right? At 40-something, I don't start thinking of people being "old" until they've hit their 80s. My, how time changes our perspectives. LOL)

Now, me, my last birthday I celebrated the twentieth anniversary of my 23^rd birthday. And the last time I went to the Outback for dinner, the server carded me. Said I didn't even look like I was 35, and if a patron doesn't look at least 35 they have to show identification to order a drink.

Woo-hoo!

I can honestly say this is the best time of my life. I wouldn't want to be in my twenties again (hmm, college, low-paying jobs... no). Or even my thirties (better paying jobs but still not great). Now, in my forties, I have enough life experience under my belt from which to draw upon as I write. I have good friends--some who get me and like me anyway, and some who scratch their heads now and then, but are still there for me when I need them. I have good health, barring some stray aches and pains and hands that won't stop stuffing food into my mouth.

I'm finding, too, that I'm writing older heroes and heroines--in their 30s and even 40s. I don't know about anyone else, but I have a hard time relating to a hero who's 19 years old. I have four nephews who aren't that far removed from 19, so I remember what they were like at that age. Not hero material, in my opinion. And before anyone starts throwing spit wads at me (or something even more dangerous), I know we have a lot of 19 year olds over in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places around the world, putting their lives on the line every day, and sometimes losing their lives. I wish they could be home, still being kids, but they are performing their duty for their country. They are, I believe, the exception.

I want a hero who has some angst, who has enough sexual experience to know how to satisfy--and more--the heroine. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it, and finds the one woman who can satisfy--and more--him. (I'm speaking as the perpetually single white female, alas, but there you have it.)

What about you? What age do you like your heroes and heroines to be?

And because it just wouldn't be a post from me without some serious eye candy, here you go...


Aye carumba!


(Be sure to check out Kayelle's post below!)

Sherrill Quinn
Follow your passion to the edge... and beyond
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