I've learned a thing or ten over the years. Here are some writerly nuggets of wisdom . . .

1. Rejections. One-star reviews. Rotten sales numbers. The writing gig is filled with negativity. You've got to not simply balance that out with positive influences, but over compensate with the cheerleaders in your life.

2. Time for writing or reading or running a marathon doesn't just happen. You have to make it happen. That means you will probably have to cut something else out of your schedule.

3. Great writing engages all five senses.

4. No writer really knows what he's doing. There are too many factors that go into creating art. Insecurity is blankie all writers curl up with and suck their thumbs.

5. Comparing yourself to other writers makes for an unhappy camper. Don't be that camper.

6. Being a rookie can be an asset because you're fearless . . . mostly because you haven't learned what to fear yet.

7. A reader doesn't have to be reading your book. It's your job as a writer to force them to read it.

8. Too much backstory at the beginning of a story is a big fat no-no.

9. Reveal too much information and your reader will wander away to play pinochle or something even more entertaining like watching the fish in the aquarium. But if you don't reveal enough information, your reader will get frustrated and slam the book against a wall.

10. Timid writers don't take risks, and non-risk takers are frustrated artists. Go for it. Try all kinds of writing just for the creativity of it.