Last week, I encountered someone who wants to be a writer, and asked me for advice. I used to be better at these interactions. I would explain that the publishing industry changes quickly, and the path I took to becoming an author wouldn’t be repeatable today. Then I would point the developing writer (I hate the term “aspiring.” If you write, you’re a writer.) to some resources I consider valuable and suggest a couple of strategies. I might gently suggest that they don’t quit