That “making it big” is the entire and only point of writing. People like to judge quickly based on books published or competitions won; they focus on money made, forgetting that most of us write not because we’re chasing fame and wealth but because we’re passionate about it.

It’s sometimes weird for people to go from “what do you do outside of work?” and then ask about whether you’ve monetised it or “achieved social success” with it straight after. I know most of them don’t mean anything by it but it can be so jarring. It’s almost like saying “oh, nah, I’m a failure” when answering “no” and they’re kind of like “oh”. I know it’s not the case but that doesn’t make it any less awkward.

Publishing a book is a hard journey that doesn’t have a clear timeline or even process for most of it, and most of us have to put it secondary to other obligations. For years. Decades even. And even then, the fact that we’ve not published doesn’t discount the work and effort we’re putting into what we write. The fact that we’re still writing at all is an achievement! And not enough people acknowledge that. This world can be a bit cruel, and a lot of us give up: those of us that are persevering are pushing through those feelings of futility, looking into every nook and cranny for sparks of our passion that sometimes feel gone … that’s amazing. And I hope none of you ever forget it.