If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my two year anniversary in publishing, it’s not to rush. Good work, great work, takes time, stewing, perspective. Ignore the lists. Ignore the buzzy fads. Ignore “the competition.” Write the work you need to write at a pace that honors it.

Also, learn to ask SPECIFIC questions because busy people—most people, don’t have time. “I want to gain insight” gets you nowhere. Ask for what you want, particularly, directly, and specifically. As a southerner, trained to only use indirect communication, this was a STRUGGLE.

This is average advice BUT it’s the truest. The best books in my inbox aren’t “just finished” and have been read by inner circles, written into wee hours, over SPANS of time. It’s not bias, it’s just true. All our best, deepest emotions take time too, that should say enough.