This is the second part of all the things I wish I had known about writing as that 15-year-old teenager in High School. 

11. Make good habits

I always try to write something every day as part of my daily schedule. I never used to be very good at keeping to that target, however, until I exchanged the phrase, 'I should write today', with 'I have to write today'. Changing that one word made all the difference. Think of writing as an important meeting with yourself that you have to attend. It doesn't matter at all if what you write that day isn't perfect, you can edit it later. You cannot edit a blank page though. So, find that discipline and write. 

12. Dream big with small actions
This is a phrase I heard many years ago and it has stuck with me whenever I want to reach any goal. Success at anything requires having a vision without boundaries, along with a series of small but deliberate steps of action. Anything is possible, but you have to take one small action each day. When you see a little success then the motivation to continue will build momentum. 

13. Never give up
A writer is someone who writes, it is on their blood, and the only way to keep focus is to understand the gift you have been given. Do not let outside influencers stand in the way of your dream. You will find many people will not understand the passion you have, that is fine. This is your journey nobody else's. The start of anyone's dream begins with taking that first step and placing one foot in front of the other every day. 

14. Develop your spiritual practices
I deliberated long and hard about including this. By spiritual, I do not mean to become religious, I mean become in tune with your spirituality. Practicing yoga and meditation is such an effective way to clear those mental blockages. You will find you have a clearer mind and the mindset to push past the frustration of writer's block will pass quickly. Your words will flow onto the page with ease.  

15. Do now and be scared later
Get into the habit of taking action and not overthink the consequences. By this, I do not mean make irrational decisions, but do not worry about every eventuality. Once you have decided on the desired goal, then you have to take an action within 5 seconds. Research has shown that if you do not move within 5 seconds or less, your brain will talk you out of it. This is because your brain's job is to keep you safe. If you overthink a situation, your brain will sense your fear and then do everything in its power to prevent you from getting harmed. Think of everything you do, concerning your writing career, like an experiment, 'I'll send this email to an agent and see what happens'. Make it fun and enjoyable. 

16. Take advice
I thought I knew everything about the art of writing simply because I had read a huge amount of novels and spoken to a scriptwriter friend of mine. He spoke about structure and plot but to me, that was white noise. Now I realize that writing is a craft; you may have a natural storytelling ability, but you still need to work on your craft like any other artist. So, ensure you read books on the subject of writing, attend workshops and seminars, and network with other writers. Learn to be humble and take advice. 

17. Don't make excuses
The one thing I used to hate about being a writer was having to network. I used to tell myself that I was not a people person. I used my shyness as an excuse. If this is the case for you, and you would much rather hide out in your writing room, begin with joining a small writers' group. Practice making small talk in social media groups and the path to networking on a larger scale will be much smoother. It may seem terrifying but you will be surprised at how many new friends you will make and how much fun it will be. 

18. Believe in yourself
I wasted so many years making excuses about why I couldn't become a writer full-time. On a subconscious level, I was avoiding being rejected. Rejection is part and parcel of being a writer. Believe that you can achieve anything, look at rejection as feedback and keep pushing slowly forward.

19. Little details

Do you remember sitting around your grandparents' kitchen table as a child, listening to their stories? These memories are what you should draw from. What do you remember feeling, sensing, hearing, seeing? As a writer, you must write using all of your senses. All great storytelling ideas begin from your childhood.

20. Take inspiration where you can find it
As a writer, you should never switch off from finding great story ideas. People are amazing creatures, and they are all around you. Listen carefully to those conversations you hear, watch how people react in certain situations. The idea for your next novel is closer to you than you think.