What's Your Path?

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Yes, there are certain rules and widely held beliefs that we try to use as a guide. But each person - each manuscript is different. We already know that both plotters and pantsers are equally successful. We know that the parts that come easy for one are difficult for another and vice versa. I thought about this as I completed Nano, with the messiest rough draft EVER. So I decided to take a look at what are some pretty solid truths (although I bet you anything you all can, will, and should argue this in the comments) and things that vary. 


Things we find on all paths to publication:

• The one thing I will never waiver on is behavior on the internet. If you want to succeed, you conduct yourself with manners and you don't lose your cool.
• You have to keep up on craft. No one knows everything. Everyone can improve. Keep reading posts, books, articles, and attending classes, workshops, and conferences. Whatever works for you. 
• WRITE. You can't be a writer if you never get around to actually writing.
• READ. You can't really write in the genre you choose if you haven't read widely. Writers are readers. 
• Time. Each road is different, it's true. Some have to work at it for a decade and beyond before something happens, some are fortunate to have the right timing and all the stars align. Either way, the thing successful writers have in common is perseverance. If you don't keep trying, you can't succeed.

Things that vary on our own paths:

• Environment. Do you write in the morning? At night?  Do you work full time? Do you have twelve kids running around? Do you need music? Absolute quiet? A change in scenery? The same spot every time? You get my point. 
• POV and tense. Some people swear by first person. Some people can only write past tense. Some people can't stand alternating points of view. What do I think? I think it depends on the manuscript and what's important for that one. Also, what your strengths are as a writer. 
• Background. Our own stories are as varied as the ones we put to paper. And that's something to celebrate because there are so many different readers out there waiting for great books. 
• Social Media. *gasp* it isn't for everyone. Not everyone enjoys it or feels comfortable with it. And which format you use varies also. I have a fondness for blogging and Twitter for example. 
• Process. I already mentioned plotters and pantsers. But there are also those whose first drafts are more of a skeleton that needs to be filled in, and those that have to cut down their 140,000 word masterpieces. There are those of us that are great with character, but have to work on world, or the other way around. Each person is different and so is each book.

What are some other variables that change depending on the writer or the book?