Ned Said: Rachel, when people ask me about what it takes to be a writer, I remind them about Proust and Bukowski. Marcel Proust (1871-1922) was a child of French privilege who didn’t move out of his parents’ house until they were both dead. Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was a child of poor German immigrants who made a living for years betting on dog races. And they both produced some of the greatest writing of the 20th century.

The fact that two people from such different walks of life could both find success in writing should make you feel great.

Do be aware that once you identify what kind of writing you want to do, the qualifications become more rigid. If you want to be a journalist, then you should go to journalism school. If you want to write poetry, then it may help you to stay within an academic system and teach while you write. I have more details about professional writing strategies in my FAQ. Good luck!