Don't throw your early efforts away! During a feng shui attack in the late noughties I threw away the childhood stories I wrote. I often wonder what stories I wrote and if I could gain inspiration from them. The only one I can remember is 'The Magic Penny.'
I have started many many many books over the years... as for finishing them, well that's a different story. In 2018, I found myself in a place where I was grieving both my parents and pondering my life. I'd always wanted to write so I took inspiration from them and decided to stop waiting. Since then I've become addicted and use it as a way to focus my mind positively.
It makes me really emotional (in a good way). One of the scariest things about putting your work out there, is how people will react. I remember getting a message where one child had written out my poems and drawn all the pictures. I was sooooooo delighted!!!
I think there's room for everything. My sister is a speed reader, so whenever we went on holiday she'd have to pay extra baggage for all her books. Kindles changed that for her which is great. Having said that, I still love holding a real-life book in my hand and I like the concept of having a Little Library for all my neighbours to share.