The Inevitable Loss of Youth and the Pursuit of Writing

A young writer dreams of becoming a prodigious young author like Amis or Updike, setting a timeline for publishing success in his twenties. However, he fails to meet his ambitious goal, only publishing his first novel at 37. The essay explores the passage of youth and the writer's confrontation with the gap between dreams and reality. He ultimately understands that the desire for success isn't unique to youth but a persistent force throughout life.