Goodreads asked Alexandra Penn:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Alexandra Penn First, no one tells you how much pressure there is to give up. You'll have friends who get guilty and jealous, family members who don't quite get it, and colleagues who tell you you should have different priorities.
Don't listen to them: as long as you can support yourself, you're doing fine.
Second, there's a lot more to being a writer than just writing! Take some business classes and marketing classes, and make sure you know what you're getting into.
Third, remember that your fellow writers aren't your competition. You're looking to stand out among the crowd, sure, and you should always be cautious--but the more friends you make, the bigger your impact will be. Lift each other up.

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