I remember when I wanted to be a writer, my dad was arguing that the people who won the Booker Prize were all older folk. I thought what the heck does that have to do with anything. I had ZERO interest in any prizes. I just wanted to make enough money to live a modest lifestyle. To me, that is success. The prizes are bullshit. If someone can make a living doing what they love, that's success. As you say, who needs a prize?

Anyway, due to my unsuitability for the Booker Prize, I was banned from trying to be a freelance writer until I'd moved out of home and was living with my husband, who's more sympathetic.