Goodreads asked R.R. Jaram:

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

R.R. Jaram Perhaps with Exparanza being but my first book, I ought sit here, tarry awhile longer, that bit more of experience before venturing this one.
But no! It may yet be invaluable to pass on to you what I have to this point gained. I was not one of your run-of-the-mill aspiring writers. Note I use a pseudonym which I'm sure will prove more than an overwhelmingly wise decision. I didn't even have a story I yearned to share with the world.
When I was finished though, I promptly sent it to five publishers. That with hindsight was a gigantic error. I ought firstly, have found five competent reviewers and farmed the manuscript out amongst these. Of course I would have acted from the assumption (typographical and speIling errors apart) I had a first class understanding of what constituted fine writing and good literature.
My second error would come from things like being grossly misinformed by the information provided me on publisher's websites. Things like Author's commendations and my own naivety taking for granted, things like promises even written ones of what they would do; but with wide enough loopholes though, to allow for later excuse to suffice for what was never intended.
So yes, by all means go for it, but be prepared even unto eternity; hold on to your manuscript until you get the contract you want. Believe me the money you'd spend to see yourself achieving... well as near as you could get to a negative sales income situation, you may painless ly hold to buy yourself a small a used printery business, hire a small staff and go print your own to see your name there where you want it.

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