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I am a writer with many years experience with nonprofits, magazines and newspapers. Because of children in college and parents, etc., for the last 15 years, I have worked full time as a media coordinator with a national health agency, and I write food and wine and lifestyle-type stories on the side. I am well respected and am the one regional editors come to when they need a quick gardening, tourist, wedding, health or food story. The truth is, I am somewhat of a hack, turning out respectable features as best I can in the time I have.

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I have always loved journalism, and I am finally in a financial position to write the type of features I really love. Although I do a lot of Web site writing, I lag behind in interactive journalism. I have lots of ideas about incorporating video, blogs and audio into lifestyle features, even food articles. I have enrolled at a technical school to learn these skills. The trouble is, I just turned 60. Am I nuts?

People are weary of the boomers and I don't blame them, but they are online in record numbers seeking information and entertainment. I would like to capture stories of all ages using new techniques as well as classic journalism. I think one of the local papers will hire me. How would you suggest I proceed?

Thanks for your help.

Primed

Too old for new media? Don't even think about it.

Web 2.0 is not a generational thing. It is being built by people of all ages who have something to say and the time and tools to say it.

Joe Grimm

The thing about being nicely seasoned, as you soon will be, is that you have some time and money to invest in a new career path.

You're not nuts. But if someone passes you over by automatically assuming that someone half your age will naturally be more skilled, they might qualify as nuts.

Just challenge them to compare your work to anyone else's and to choose the better one.

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Coming Wednesday: Successful by any measure, this beginner is so bothered by turmoil in the news industry that she's thinking of leaving.

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