When talking about the joys and pains of making art down here in reality, a friend introduced me to Lifers, Dayjobbers, and the Independently Wealthy: A Letter to a Former Student. It covers the music industry, but I found it broadly applicable.

We do not live in a meritocracy, hard work doesn’t automatically equal success when we are competing against those who have paid their way to the front of the line. But not to worry Billy, you have time to make your mark in your beautiful hometown of New York, let me tell you why.