Question

Many young people tell me that they want to be writers. I always encourage such people, but I also explain that there is a big difference between being a writer and writing. In most cases these people are dreaming of wealth and being famous, not the long hours alone at the typewriter.

When I became a writer, I had no future. What I had was a friend called George. He found me a home. It was cold and had no bathroom. I could only afford a used typewriter. A year later, however, I still hadn’t received a break and began to doubt myself. But I knew I wanted to write. I would keep putting my dream to the test—even though it meant living with fear of failure. This is the shadow land ( 阴影) of hope, and anyone with a dream must learn to live there. Then one day I got a call from a friend who asked me to be an assistant for $6,000 a year. As the dollars were dancing in my head, something brought me to my sense. “Thanks, but no,” I heard myself saying. After that, I walked around my little room and started to feel like a fool. I felt a little low.

Later, I gradually began to sell my articles. It was after 17 years of being a writer that Roots was published. At once I had the kind of success that few writers ever experienced. The shadows had turned into great sunlight. Before that, it was a long and slow climb out of the shadows.

1.What does the author (作家) do to the people who want to be writers?

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2.Where must anyone with a dream learn to live?

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3.How much could the author get as an assistant for a year?

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4.How did the author feel after he refused the job offer?

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5.What can you learn from the article?（请自拟一句话作答）

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Answer 1