Reading your piece reminded me of conversations I had with a young, up and coming journalist.

She asked me to review some of her stories to the point where she finally asked 'Do you think I'm good enough?' I told her that I could give her pointers on style and structure, but that no one, least of all myself, should be considered the ultimate authority on beautiful prose-especially as we never stop learning!

I also told her that where there are savants in music and art, it should feel heartening to think that writing has and always will be a matter of not just talent but also grit and tenacity.

Thank you for highlighting all of this!