It Isn't Necessary to Discourage Young Writers

A writer's life is only ever acceptance or rejection, surfeit or famine, and nothing in between. That's an emotionally-draining way to live. As a result, it isn't necessary to discourage young writers. Life will do that soon enough. There are yards of writers under the age of thirty, but not many who stay the course. The ones who do aren't necessarily the most gifted, but those who can focus well, discipline themselves, persevere through hard times, and spring back after rejections that would cripple others.

DIANE ACKERMAN