We write to be read. To be published. To make a difference. To touch a life. Right? Of course, right. But those of us who write blog posts, articles, books, and even games (yes, that’s a thing, and maybe I’ll write about it in the near future) put immense pressure on ourselves to be accepted, get a contract, win an award, and so on. But whether or not your work is published, your writing is still …

If you were to apprentice as a plumber, there would be certain tools you’ll need, right? A wrench, perhaps. Pipe, maybe. In my case, wader boots. Similarly, a writer who aspires to a long and fruitful publishing career will need a few things, whether that person hopes and plans to become a novelist, columnist, or something else. And yes, yes, I know, some smart aleck in the blogosphere has already …