Does Age Matter?

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.

I wonder, for example, if there is such a thing as age discrimination in writing. Does one get less respect the younger he or she is?

I also think about whether your age or your perceived age makes you more or less marketable in the freelance writing biz.

Why do I ponder these things at 9:51 in the evening?

I wonder because I’ve been trolling the forums lately and have heard people concerned about being a late bloomer in the business. At the same time, I was discouraged by acquaintances when I first announced my decision to be a full-time freelancer a year ago. They thought I was too young and writers needed “life experience” to do a good job. At the other extreme, I’ve also encountered others who are a decade younger than me who are not just surviving, but thriving in their field.

I think about it because I often get confused for being much younger than I really am (by about 10 years).

While it’s good for my ego, I wonder if it’s bad for my career.

What do you think?

Based on looks alone, who would you trust more? A writer that looks like she’s in her early twenties or a writer who looks more mature?

Does age matter in freelance writing?