Whether or not you discover your talents and passions is partly a matter of opportunity. If you've never been sailing, or picked up an instrument, or tried to teach or to write fiction, how would you know if you had a talent for these things?

You create your life, and you can recreate it, too. In times of economic downturn and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to look deep inside yourself to fathom the sort of life you really want to lead and the talents and passions that can make that possible.

If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.

If you're a musician, there's no instrument that can be withheld from you. If you're drawn to it, develop the talent for it.

I know how to write fiction well.

I've never had formal drama-school training; I've just picked things up as I've gone along.