Have you ever wondered how your favorite author started on his or her writing career? Did they launch themselves wholeheartedly into literature? Did they slave away every evening after a hard day at the office? Did they devote their golden years to reflect on a life well-spent? Some faced rejection while others found almost instant success. In this volume, we learn from the authors themselves what launched their literary careers... Bret Harte, Arthur Conan Doyle, R.M. Ballantyne, H. Rider Haggard and many other favorites contributed their stories. - Summary by Lynne Thompson