Writing being largely a self-taught occupation, texts on how to get about it—though great in number—seldom are of much use. You try, and fail. Then try again, and perhaps fail not quite so grievously. Until at last, if you have some aptitude for it, the failures become less frequent, or at any rate less noticeable. It is this ability to conceal one's defects that passes, finally, for accomplishment. Along the way there are the discouragements of unkind criticism, out right rejection, nagging insecurity and intermittent inability to meet debts. It is uncommon, therefore, to come across a book containing advice of much practical value for anyone toying with the dangerous idea of embarking on a writing life. An acquaintance recently loaned me such a book, however—one I wish I'd had the luck to read years ago, and which! would commend to any young person bent on making a career of words. It is the slender autobiography of the English novelist Anthony Trollope, first published in 1883, the year after his death. Needing some means to support himself, Trollope at age 19 signed on as a junior clerk in the British postal service. He was at his desk at 5:30 each morning to write for three hours. And he remained in the mail service 33 years, long after reputation and prosperity had come to him. Now, what of his advice? 1. For safety's sake, arm yourself with some other skills, some other line of work to fall back on. That way, failure at writing, though the disappointment may be keen, will not mean utter ruin. 2. Do not depend overly much on inspiration. Writing is a craft, which Trollope compared to the craft of shoemaking. The shoemaker who has just turned out one pair of his work sets to work immediately on the next pair. 3. Have a story to tell, but, more important than that, people it with characters who will speak and move as living creatures in the reader's mind. Without memorable characters, story alone is nothing. 4. Meet your deadlines. Life is endlessly 'painful and troublesome' for writers who can't finish their work on time. 5. Do not be inflated by praise. And, above all, do not be crushed by criticism. 6. Understand the risks of writing for a living. 'The career, when successful, is pleasant enough certainly but when unsuccessful, it is of all careers the most agonizing.' In this passage the author mainly discusses ______.