Hey Jo Ann,

Thanks for reading.

A lot of the advice you read tells you to not give up, to just keep writing every day, to believe in yourself, and that, if you do all that, money, fame, fans, and success will eventually come pouring in.

I think that's completely wrong. You *cannot* make yourself successful (at least when you're using a definition of success that involves money and fame).

Making it as a writer is a lottery. Luck plays a huge massive humongous gigantic role. But those who've had success won't admit it because they are all under the spell of the self-serving bias.

I've written about it before:

https://writingcooperative.com/how-the-matthew-effect-explains-writing-success-a2382c32860a

https://writingcooperative.com/the-online-writing-hustle-is-a-cargo-cult-fe89bf80a0b9

https://writingcooperative.com/writing-success-five-insights-on-the-role-of-luck-76ddcab3e1b2

That said, I believe there are things that make it a bit more likely to succeed and among them is presenting yourself as a real human being by sharing occasional personal anecdotes. As I said, no one becomes a fan of an anonymous person.

Finally, how do you know writing about yourself and your life hasn't made a difference? Keep in mind that you're being read much more than many other writers here on Medium.