"If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves"

Lillian Hellman's quote is a reminder to young writers to concentrate on their own work and not be distracted by the opinions of other authors. She is suggesting that young authors must not be influenced by the recommendations of other authors, as it might not be applicable to their own writing. Instead, she encourages young authors to trust their own impulses and to focus on their own writing. Hellman thinks that young authors must be confident in their own capabilities and not be swayed by the viewpoints of others. She is likewise recommending that young authors need to not be distracted by the stories of other writers, as these stories might not be relevant to their own writing. Eventually, Hellman's suggestions is to trust yourself and your own writing, and to not be sidetracked by the viewpoints of other authors.