Haha, I occasionally stumble across things I wrote when I was like 10 and they make me cringe, I'm glad I'm the only person that saw them.
Lots of authors do base their characters upon real people, you just have to change certain aspects of them. Also, you dont have to write fiction to become a writer, you could be a reporter, a blogger, or write non-fiction and still get paid.
Well, I think you have the talent to become a writer, it's hard work but something that pays off.
Yes, when I first started publishign my stuff online over 5 years ago now, I think, I made the mistake of thinking "Hmm, what will attract an audience?"
I looked around at all the most popular most loved stories and then I made my own story incorporating the things that the teens loved; romance, fantasy, vampires, main character of a similar age and a little danger.
On quizilla it was pretty popular, then I put it on here and it's my most popular story, and I hate it, I'm just so fed up of writing it.
Lots of authors do base their characters upon real people, you just have to change certain aspects of them. Also, you dont have to write fiction to become a writer, you could be a reporter, a blogger, or write non-fiction and still get paid.