In his essay “Determination and Stamina,” novelist Leonard Chang offers his take on what’s necessary to be a successful author. Rather than succeed by talent alone, he believes authors must be willing to accept criticism, dust themselves off after rejection, and keep plugging away at their work.
He ends with this piece of advice:
Expect rejection and difficulty, and know that you can work through it. Determination and stamina. You must brave forward, no matter what.