I like this. No tricks, no fancy stuff. Everybody's looking for the secrets of writing. Levinson applies his considerable expertise to the ones many people overlook. The ones that are possibly most critical. Discouraging? I don't think so. Do this, you have a chance of being published. Ignore it and you got nothing. Thanks.

Levinson tells aspiring novel writers exactly what they don't want to hear: successful writing isn't about glamour, accoutrements, and inspiration. That night out with your friends does not mean your mind will be clearer and your ideas fresher the next day - it just means another night spent not writing. What makes this piece more than inspirational fluff is its universality - it's not about novels, it's about the near-impossibility of pursuing any dream in the face of everyday life. I found it simultaneously depressing and inspiring. It's a well-done piece, but I wouldn't want to hear it while driving to work in the morning.