And Fitzgerald stands on his head in the living room of this place. But for the serious young writer who wants to get published, it is encouraging to know that most of the professional writers out there are push-overs. John Gardner I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. The world wants you to be something else, rewards you for moving to the middle rather than the fringe.
Writing is an incredibly frustrating thing.
You have to have some resources to stay with it.