The Secret, for Readers and Writers

I've just read and enjoyed Russell Blake's The Voynich Cypher, and I'm honored to feature a guest post from the author on my blog today. He's written something for both readers and writers, with really good advice, interspersed with plenty of smiles, so please read on (and leave comments and questions at the end). Thank you so much for visiting today, Russell.
Meanwhile, for anyone wanting to know more the book, I plan to post reviews tomorrow. It's certainly an interesting novel to read around Easter (think Dan Brown), but then, I've always really enjoyed interesting and thought-provoking. I like exciting mystery-adventures too.
Oh, and if you look up Voynich on Wikipedia, you'll find out there really is a Voynich manuscript! 
Over to you Russell... 
For Readers and Writers
I've been asked, mainly by voices inmy head, what the secret is to writing well.
I think I've figured it out.
After writing about a million wordssince I started publishing last June, I've discovered the truth.
The secret is simple.
Read a lot.
That's right. You want to become agood writer? Read voraciously, with a discerning eye, and grow impatient withsub-par writing. Learn to tell the difference, and drill in into your noggin.Then, pick up a keyboard or pen and write something.
It will suck. Unless you're theequivalent of Mozart (and let's not forget he was a child prodigy recognized assuch by the time he could walk), it will. Just realize that. Read your creationwith your reader hat on, and you'll quickly see I speak the truth.
So ball it up, or hit delete, orfile it for posterity, and then write something else.
Repeat this simple process until youhave written, oh, I don't know, about 10,000 hours.
That's how long Malcolm Gladwell'scompelling book, Outliers, says it takes to become truly proficient at a skill.
Obviously, most don't like thatequation. I mean, it's fine for others, but surely we, WE, are different, andsomehow absolved or excluded from that crude rule of thumb...
Likely not.
I have a friend whose daughter is inballet class. Little gladiators in leotards spend a lot of time lookingseriously in the mirror as they perform the same, identical steps, over andover, hours and hours every day. Eyes following themselves and watching theirclassmates, while waiting their turn to try it again.
They also watch lots of footage ofthemselves dancing, as well as go to as many performances as possible. Thewatching is key. Even when they can't dance due to injury or sickness, thegirls sit in class and watch. Because you only develop an appreciation for theart by watching it. And only when you watch, do you see the mistakes. Youencourage a different sort of acuity than that created by doing.
I write things. You are reading oneof the things I wrote. Hopefully you like it. If you're still reading it (whichthis sentence assumes you are), you either sort of do, or are a masochist. I'lltake you either way.
Besides espousing on ballet and thedecline of western civilization, I also write thrillers. My latest, The VoynichCypher, which is being mentioned in the same breath as The Da Vinci Code andRaiders of the Lost Ark (mainly by me, and those who hate me, but hey), is writtenas well as I'm able to write, after putting in my 10,000 hours over many years(so much for my subtle subliminal self-promotion, huh? Still have to work onthat). If you're curious as to what I'm all about, you could do worse thanchecking out Voynich. Although I'll warn you up front that it's controversialand may not sit well.
Some of you reading this blog areprobably writers. Or maybe are thinking of writing. I've heard that everyonehas a book in them. That's probably true. Just as everyone who picks up aKaraoke mike has a song in them. But if you want my advice, read a lot beforeyou try to write. I simply don't understand writers who don't read. And thereare plenty. To me, it's like trying to create a TV sitcom without ever seeingone. How do you do it competently?
I'm a big proponent ofself-actualization, and chasing your dream, and crafting your own reality. Ifyou are a budding writer, you owe it to yourself to pursue your dream. Butnever forget where a love of writing comes from.
Being a reader.
So my advice is, get busy.

Name: Russell Blake
Email: Books@RussellBlake.com
Website: http://RussellBlake.com
Title: The Voynich Cypher
Genre: ThrillerSummary: Whena sacred relic is stolen from its subterranean guarded vault, Dr. Steven Cross,amateur cryptologist, becomes embroiled in a deadly quest to decipher one ofhistory's most enigmatic documents – a 15th century parchmentwritten entirely in unbreakable code; The Voynich Manuscript.Stalked by secret societies, and aided by the daughter of a murdered colleague,a trail of riddles catapults Cross from England to Italy to the Middle East,where a Byzantine web of ancient secrets leads him to a revelation so profoundit will change the world order.