Maybe It's Not A Rerun If You Keep Getting Asked The Same Questions?

I just got a note from one of my author buddies who was looking for blurbs from friends to share with a class she's teaching on getting published. Considering my talking points led me to re-read something I wrote last year. As I looked over that post, I realized the advice was still timely. And as I get questions on how to become a writer all the time, I figured it might be time to dust off this old chestnut. (You know what? I just cringed as I wrote that last sentence. First piece of advice has to do with never writing about dusting chestnuts.) Anyway, this is from the 2010 post Move Over, Tucker Max. I hope those who seek writing advice might find it useful. * * * You know what? I try really hard not to be an asshole. Seriously, I do. I realize it's difficult to tell around here sometimes, but it's the truth. Yet sometimes... I... I just can't help myself. Today is one of those days. Following you'll find an email from Shelly. She sent me a number of questions which may have been appropriate if I were being interviewed by, say, a fifteen year old for her high school newspaper. But from what I can tell, this comes from someone who doesn't comprehend that one should spend more than the time it takes to look up an email address before asking a complete stranger for professional guidance, particularly one who will absolutely respond...