Leslie Pietrzyk heard Mary Gaitskill speak about becoming a writer. The reason I’m even quoting this passage is because MG speaks honestly about the hard work — and loads of rejection — involved to achieve success.

From Leslie’s notes:

Persistence. She talked about the many, many, many years where no one was publishing her stories…and the many “friends” who suggested that perhaps she should give up.

Read the rest of Leslie Pietrzyk’s notes at her blog.