Status Updates From On Writing: A Memoir of the...

14: Don’t spend too much time “learning” how to write from guides. You learn the most from reading and hands on practice.

13: Don’t do research on your rough draft. Nobody will read your rough draft to point out all the incorrect facts. Your second draft is where you smooth those details out. It helps with creating backstory and realism. Keep research requirements to a minimum by sticking with what you know.

12: cut down back story. Cut your second draft to be 10% shorter than your first. Cut out the boring stuff and you’ll naturally have a good pace for your story.