On perseverance

In this New York Times blurb about the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library opening in November, I was glad to see that among the things to be displayed are "boxes of rejection letters," which his oldest daughter, Edie Vonnegut, hopes will inspire writers. She told the A.P. that Vonnegut received rejections telling him, "You have no talent and we suggest you give up writing."

It's crazy when you think of it now — but this is how nearly every writer begins a career. Edie Vonnegut said of her father, ...