In life, it’s important to succeed and fail. At many different things. Whatever they might tell you at school, trust me: failing at something can often be more important than doing well.

You often learn a lot more from your mistakes than from your successes. It seems to be the nature of the human condition; just remember to remember the mistakes, learn and move on. Don’t dwell too much on them. Whereas with success, it really is okay to revel in it for awhile. You’ve worked hard to achieve it, right?

I like to think I’m living a life of curiosity, variety and adventure. I’ve been involved in some amazing projects and some truly awful schemes. I’ve been in love and been through hell after it didn’t turn out well. I’ve travelled the world in a whirlwind of inspirational people and places, written exquisite and exciting words as well as some utterly rubbish stories.

It’s all part of the fun; all part of the journey.

If you’ve chosen to be a writer – or, more likely, being a writer has chosen you – then know that it is hard work. Sometimes life will let you write like a demon possessed, other times it will throw every single thorny, dark, suffocating weed it can find in your path to stop you.

The trick, whether you feel like you’re flying or failing, is to keep going no matter what.

Sir Winston Churchill famously said: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” And he’s a man who knew more than most what that meant.

If people are telling you that you can’t do something, go do it. If someone or something is stopping you being creative, get away from that person or that situation. If you’re beating yourself up about being no good, about lacking confidence, about feeling unmotivated then practice being good, being confident and being motivated at what it is you want to write, create, do and achieve.

And, finally, whilst we’re on this little wisdom trip: change up your life as often as you can because, as a writer or creative person, that type of adventure – and even the emotional stress that goes with it – feeds what you create.

What I’m saying is: don’t be afraid to try new ideas, new jobs and new ways of living as they all help to express yourself.

So hop to it, chucks!