Writing, much like success, is a journey.

Cho reminds writing students—just as she has been reminded—to remember the stories that fell short, the unpolished projects (and even the badly written). These experiences and the “ups, downs and flops” reveal how far you’ve developed as a writer and mastered your craft.

Former projects can be given new life or new meaning. Previous, poor, and partial serve a purpose—revisit and revise.