Elf Sternberg

Like lisakit says, why write? It's common knowledge that the odds of a given person becoming a full-time, professional, self-supporting household-name writer are roughly the same as getting hit by lightning while in bed with a supermodel. If we're not going to measure success by whether one's a pro or not, then why bother measuring it in terms of number of fans, pages produced, or caliber of style versus some other guy?

We also know that we're never going to become professional athletes, but that doesn't stop us from enjoying our softball or soccer or flag football leagues. I played ice hockey during college while learning to skate, but I still had a great time and made a name for myself as one of the best damn beer-league goalies in my neck of the woods.

Writing-wise, I have about ten fans who constantly encourage me to write more. One of them credits me with teaching him that he too can write for the joy of it. Therefore, I've already been a success. There's no shame in being a beer-league player. Just be the best beer-league player you can be.