Being published is not a necessary validation or a path everyone wants to take with their work. Writing—and finishing—a novel is a great thing in itself, whether or not the book is published, or becomes widely-read or not.

Be careful..you're all I've got left, to remind me who I really am.

I certainly have had experiences of a sense of wonder at the world and a feeling that even though it could all be explained rationally, it still feels that there is more to it.

A hundred hundred heartbeats..." whispered Sabriel, tears falling down her face.

But we survived, didn’t we? That makes it an adventure. If you get killed it’s a tragedy.

All of us recruits are equal in the eyes of the Army: low as you can go.

Being published is not a necessary validation or a path everyone wants to take with their work. Writing—and finishing—a novel is a great thing in itself, whether or not the book is published, or becomes widely-read or not.