“The truth is that, in writing, as in any profession, merit is only tangentially related to success, if at all. I’m not a hugely well-known writer, so I’m not the sort of person who generally gets asked for writing advice by eager young up-and-comers. But as a mid-level freelance content generator, with some decent bylines but no real chance at reaching that Times column in the sky, I do have some thoughts about how you (yes you!) can become a successful writer.”