I had a very lucky and much too fast beginning as a published author. My first book, now long out of print, was a huge success--the press's best seller and winner of a prestigious award. I was in my twenties, busy with a new relationship and a new business, and fairly ignorant about what was happening. It was just a fast train, I was on it, and I didn't know the writing life could be any different. That first book landed me an agent who helped me with several others. Out of it came a nationally syndicated column and good income for a number of years.
Some writers fall into success. That's not to say we don't work hard, but the ride we're on might not align completely with our deepest intentions. I was too young, truthfully, to care back then.