Writers know that to get anywhere they generally require at least a few people to support what they are trying to do. Teachers, publishers, parents, spouses; everyone needs backup.

Conversely, writers also know that to get anywhere, they also have to fight their way through the opposition. August Wilson, who was well into his thirties by the time he started making real progress in his soon-to-be-stellar career, encapsulated the struggle thusly:

Your belief in yourself must be greater than everyone’s disbelief in you…