It’s lovely to see such positive articles full of “can’t stop me” motivational tips. I think young writers need such articles to keep them inspired, and some of them may even succeed. But the truth for me has been a wall of impossibility … hundreds of rejections year after year after year. What has happened has been a simple collapsing of my heart, and all that gusto I had when I began submitting poems and short stories. I’ve had 2 poems published in 3 years and those poems were certainly not my best, not my a long shot. My best work has all been rejected. I just think that with the tools we have today, being a DIY writer makes a lot more sense. Why put yourself through the wringer of constant rejection that slowly peels away the joy of writing? I mean, not EVERYONE has a thick skin or is super resilient right? The answer for these writers is to become fiercely independent — to reclaim your gusto and bare your creative teeth with pride and power, calling your own shots and setting your own rules. It’s a harder road at first, and perhaps more daunting, but in the long run you (yes you beautiful young writers) will be thankful you took this path. I speak with hardened experience, go indie kids.