Writing is a craft which can be learned like any other. It is not, as some believe, a mystical gift granted only to a fortunate few. Writing simply involves a good deal of time, intense labor and, most of all, self-discipline.

The quotation argues for a demystified view of authorship: writing is presented not as innate genius or inspiration bestowed on a select few, but as an acquired competence. By calling it a “craft,” it aligns writing with other skilled practices that improve through instruction, repetition, and critique. The emphasis on time, intense labor, and especially self-discipline highlights process over talent—suggesting that sustained effort, revision, and routine matter more than flashes of inspiration. As a piece of advice, it implicitly empowers aspiring writers by shifting the locus of success from luck or “gift” to controllable habits and work ethic.