If you're selling eggs, don't piss off your chickens.
You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning than becoming successful in this biz. But if you really want to get hit by lightning, you can improve your odds.
No one is entitled to anything.
Hard work trumps talent. Persistence trumps inspiration. Humility trumps ego.
Fate is a future you didn't try hard enough to change.
Writing is a profession. Act professional.
No one said it would be fair, fun, or easy. But it can be worthwhile.
We're all in the same boat. Start rowing.
Just because something is publishable doesn't mean it will get published. Just because something is published doesn't mean it will do well.
The most successful people on the planet have one thing in common: nothing can stop them. Don't expect to reach your goals without sacrificing things that are important to you. You can't be both happy and ambitious.
Maybe you can't win. But you sure as hell can try.
Always have two hands reaching out. One, for your next goal. The other, to help people get to where you're at.