How I did it: 1) Practice makes perfect.
2) Never give up.
3) Edit, edit, edit.
4) Let it simmer.
5) Read it with a critical eye.
6) Again: edit, edit, edit.
7) Never lose focus.
8) Believe in yourself.
9) Visualize success.
10) Know usage better than anything else in the world.
11) Be brutally honest with yourself and critical of your work.
12) Edit, edit, edit, and then again edit some more.

Lessons & tips: Just follow the 12 rules I summarized above. The most important thing is to believe in yourself that you can do it. I guess having something to say is important too, as is to be realistic. By the time you've nailed it down, you go on automatic and become a prolific author. Like I did.

Resources: Reading work by others which is similar to what I wanted to do. Definitely having a great book on usage and editing. Feedback from others is also important, as is stepping back and viewing your work as though it's someone else's and you need to critic it.

Nov 11, 2008, 04:42PM PST | 0 comments | 6 cheers