I wouldn't encourage new writers to start off publishing through electronic media... it still isn't wide enough for the readership they would need to get a good start.
A real scientist solves problems, not wails that they are unsolvable.
I did not have a chance to write novels until my youngest child started school fulltime.
The thing is, emotion - if it's visibly felt by the writer - will go through all the processes it takes to publish a story and still hit the reader right in the gut. But you have to really mean it.
I'm very fond of the Talent series, and also the Crystal Singer trio.
I didn't raise Todd to be a writer, but he happened to be one anyway.