"If you're young enough, any kind of writing you do for a short period of time is a marvelous apprenticeship"

This quote by Irwin Shaw is encouraging young people to make the most of any composing opportunity they can find. He is suggesting that even if it is just for a short period of time, the experience of writing can be indispensable. He is suggesting that writing can be a kind of apprenticeship, mentor young people the abilities they require to become successful writers. Shaw is stressing the significance of benefiting from any composing opportunity, no matter how little, as it can help to develop their abilities and give them the experience they need to become effective. He is suggesting that if you are young enough, any kind of writing you do can be an excellent learning experience.