I think the majority of successful people failed many times before (and after). And his earlier freelance writing is different from starting his own project (li

I think the majority of successful people failed many times before (and after). And his earlier freelance writing is different from starting his own project (like being a freelance programmer vs. having your own company). And it really is unimportant whether he succeeds with this project. It will teach him certainly many interesting things that give him more background -- for whatever he will do later.