Everything that you read is an influence on everything you write, and you want to draw as many elements into your work as you can.

Even if you only want to write science fiction, you should also read mysteries, poetry, mainstream literature, history, biography, philosophy, and science.

Try to meet as many authors, agents, and editors as you can.

How long it takes to write a book depends on its length.

If you can find collaborators whose strengths compliment your own, the result can be more than the sum of its authors.

I went to college, though I didn't take many writing courses.