Perhaps the Wisest Writing Advice of All (About the Ones Who Succeed)
At the 2008 AWP, I was sitting next to writer and professor Michael Martone, who was signing Rules of Thumb for students. I don’t know how this came up, but…
At the 2008 AWP, I was sitting next to writer and professor Michael Martone, who was signing Rules of Thumb for students.
I don't know how this came up, but I caught a bit of wisdom from Michael that I've never forgotten:
Only 10% (if that) of writers keep at it, and because they do keep at it, they are successful and known—even if not talented.
Think about that the next time you're tempted to say it's impossible to get published or that you have to be lucky.
Jane Friedman is a full-time entrepreneur (since 2014) and has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. She is the co-founder of The Hot Sheet, the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and is the former publisher of Writer’s Digest. In addition to being a columnist with Publishers Weekly and a professor with The Great Courses, Jane maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com. Jane’s newest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press, 2018).
