Being an author and getting widely published has been my big goal and dream since I was in elementary school. Currently going through my Saturn return in the 6th, and have been a man possessed when it comes to needing achievement and trying to figure out my career and place in the world.
Was told point blank that because of the square to my midheaven and the lack of aspects to Mercury, writing, publishing, and any chance of recognition or fame in this area was a no go. Don't get me started on his comments about the empty 3rd house. It was so disheartening! I've always struggled with getting ahead in any job I've had, and it always comes down to wanting to write more than I want to do anything else.
Is there anything redeeming in my chart in regards to this, or is this always going to be an uphill battle?
Your midheaven is ruled by mars, which is probably where the management and military comments are coming from.
Mercury. It is strong in gemini, the sign of communication par excellence. In your 11th house, it is exactly sextile your ascendent, so this is an important link that gives you expression of your thoughts to the outside world. The 3rd house is virgo, the detailed-minded sign, ruled by mercury. Another link.
And mercury is approaching a sextile with mars (MH ruler) in the 9th of publishing, while mars is also conjunct the part of fortune there.
This would seem to lay the basis for a career in communications or writing.
The 6th of work is Saturn, the 2nd of income is sun. Here we don't see a direct connection, but sun is in mercury's sign (again, comunicative energy) in the 11th, and inconjunct Saturn exalted in its own sign Capricorn, creating a tension and stimulus.
You don't say what type of writing you like to do, there is an infinite number of outlets here, from creative writing to research to journalism, etc.
Creative writing involves imagination and fantasy, which normally involves Neptune and the moon. Again there doesn't seem to be a strong link here.
Moon in Aquarius is approaching a trine to sun (the money house and your ascendent ruler). Aquarius is also politics. Political analysis?
The 9th is ruled by Jupiter, in the 12th (behind the scenes) and Jupiter also rules the 5th of creativity.
Jupiter opposes Neptune (fantasy) and trines pluto of research. Pluto also opposes Venus, while Jupiter sextiles her, bringing good taste and creativity into play.
Note also the conjunction of Jupiter and Chiron, the asteroid of knowledge and wisdom.
Aries on the midheaven is an aspect I also have, and I, like you, shunned the idea of management, but as I grew older and entered the work field I found out that I was good at it, and actually enjoyed it. People will tend to look to you as a leader and manager. Prepare yourself, you aren't ready now but in the future this may be a pathway you will want to follow.
Finally, both rulers of your 7th of partners are found in the 6th of work. You might go into partnership with others, your marriage partner might be involved closely in your work.
Hopefully this will give you a more complete picture of how your chart expresses itself, and remember, your instinct counts for a lot, so follow it and what is in your heart.