Another point I think we should put out there is being active in the community. Not just working on your own stuff but also leaving comments, making friends, learning how to dish out and take criticism. It's something I really want to start here, you do it a lot @shnuffleluv in regards to just going out and reading. But I think we really need to open up writers here to reading as well and leaving postitive but fair critiques without having to PM people.
True, true. I'll make an issue if I can remember, I have read many many blog posts in that regard and can probably write my own pretty well. Thanks for reminding me!