What I am learning about writing

I love to learn new  things.  That is one of the big things I miss about teaching.  The kids would always ask me something that made me wonder and search out the answers.  Now I am learning that writing is more than just putting words together on paper.  Writing is reading.  Reading the type of books I want to write.  Reading authors to find how they develop characters.  Reading about writing.  Reading submission guidelines for publishers and magazines.  Reading biographies of agents to find out what they like and what they are searching for.  Reading and rereading my manuscripts to find what needs to be changed to improve.  Reading about how to write a query letter.  Reading how to write a pitch for a manuscript. Read. Read. Read and write.