Writing advice

I am always wanting to learn new things, ideas and skills. One of my writing heroes is PD James and one of her first pieces of advice to any new writer is a warning, that not everyone can write. I was shocked. Her argument was one can play music, but not necessarily be a musician. The meaning, that one can write, but not necessarily become a writer.  Then I heard Sir Laurence Olivier say, that great actors, not only have talent, they have harnessed that talent into a skill. I like that. Not all of us are going to be Ian McKeown, or a Ruth Rendell or an Ian Rankin, but we can use what talent we have, add the hard work to learn the skills, then we can strive for the heavens.