I remember when I was getting my degree in music, they would provide "motivational" examples — of people so naturally gifted I'd never be able to measure up. The same when I was working on my teaching certificate.

Presenting impossible scenarios — be it someone with perfect pitch in music or a writer in an environment where just attracting an agent is more work than King had getting his book to an editor's desk — is demotivating, pure and simple.

Writers are a dime a dozen, if they miss on you there's always more in the pile. One more rejection letter and there'd have been no Harry Potter.

Dedication and hard work aren't enough if you it takes luck or connections to get your work in front of someone whose opinion matters. Time to read new books for the new environment.