In this essay, Dahl speaks directly to young readers who may have an interest in writing. He explains that nearly all writers begin in alternative careers out of the need to make money and that most writers struggle to publish their first books. He then outlines seven qualities that all writers need, including imagination, writing ability, and stamina.

Dahl describes his experience as a young boy in boarding school. His headmaster was a cruel man who punished Dahl with a cane. Dahl and the other boys lived in fear of the headmaster and their teachers. For two years, he lived a miserable life. At age 10, he was permitted to spend Saturday mornings with the other older boys and a woman named Mrs. O’Connor while the school’s employees visited a local pub. Mrs. O’Connor introduced the boys to the history of English Literature and showed them the beauty of language.

At 13, Dahl attended another prestigious boarding school where the abuse of the children continued. The older boys took their cues from their teachers and tortured the younger students as well. Dahl’s school reports consistently indicated that he was bad at writing: “A persistent muddler. Vocabulary negligible, sentences malconstructed. He reminds me of a camel” (187).