Caitlin Robinson asked Katherine Arden:

How did you get started in the writing business? Publishing books and all. I myself am in the process of publishing a science-fiction novel but worry about public dislike for it. Did you ever receive the speech of, "Don't waste your time writing. It's just a hobby?" I think all writers who aspire to be published authors face this issue. Do you offer any advice on how to surpass such negativity? Thank you!

Katherine Arden At the end of the day, as a professional writer, the person whose opinion you spend the most time with is your own. The vast majority of my time is not spent discussing my work with others, it is spent writing new things. So you are the person you have to please.

Of course there are people who will tell you you're wasting your time. That never stops. You just have to have faith in yourself, be stubborn, and not give up. You are the only person who can decide who you are, whether that's a writer, or a diplomat, or a teacher, a friend, or anything really. Just think of it this way: everyone who gives you a bad review or tells you you can't write, is wrong. Everyone who believes in you and gives you good reviews is right.

Every published writer had someone at some point tell them not to bother. Every published author proved that person wrong. That's all you can do.

Best of luck to you.

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