very once in a while, someone sends me a question about how to write a book and how to get published. Mostly, they're looking for mystical advice—things like “Make sure you feed the muse!” and all that stuff.

I don’t have mystical advice. I have, however, collected some of the very best advice that I’ve heard from other writers, including a few pieces of my own. Are you ready for it? Here you go.

• From Patrick Rothfuss: Live somewhere cheap.
• From Barry Eisler: Don't watch television.
• From Trenton Lee Stewart: Try very hard—every day, if possible—to be lucky.
• And from me: Make unrealistic goals.