Many people want to be writers but few ever make it. Why is that? A few reasons.
1) You’re just not a very good writer
2) You can’t be timid if you want to make it as a writer. You’ve got to toot your own horn.
3) To succeed as a writer, you’ve got to keep good books.
4) Sometimes, you fail because life isn’t fair.
June 23, 2008 at 11:12 am
Wasn’t it Calvin Coolidge who said roughly ‘persistence is the only thing. Talent is not enough. To meet ordinary, undistinguished men of talent is the most common thing in the world. Genius won’t do it. Unrecognised genius is practically a proverb. It is only the ability to press on that will take you whereyou want to go.’ Peseverence and, as you say, reading.
June 23, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Perseverance and the ability to listen to constructive criticism are probably two of the key factors. Not that I would know! I just know those are two areas I struggle with and I’m getting the deserved results!