8. Write for Yourself First

You can’t predict what people will want to read. So don't worry about pleasing others.

Don’t try to visualize your audience; every reader is a different person. Don’t try to guess what sort of thing editors want to publish or what you think the country is in a mood to read...

By writing for yourself, you're more likely to write something other people will like. Readers know when your work is authentic—the best way to be authentic is to write for yourself.

When you write for yourself, the process of writing is the reward itself. If you love doin...

• A considerate writer will add a few words of explanation to common technical terms, such as Arabidopsis, a flowering mustard plant.
• Readers will appreciate many examples when you explain an idea..
• If you write a sentence that makes you pause and think about what i...