This has a lot of truths in it. I had a head start when I first began writing fanfiction because I had written and passionate non-fiction for years. I saved one couple of the first novel I started. Carefully hidden on ff net. No one would ever read it there. When I get discouraged at my work, I go and read it and remind myself of how much I have learned in about six years of relentless grunt work.

I already knew that, of course. But most people who read a lot and believe they might have talent hope to be the exception--the one-day wonder. It does not happen. No one expects to be a concert pianist without work. Fanfic or not.