Be sure to keep reading...

Another revelation I had was how important it is to keep reading while writing, especially when doing revision. I can't tell you how many times I've come up with a new way to approach a sentence, scene or plot twist just by reading another writer's work. In the beginning, I had a tendency not to want to read for fear I would be influenced, or worse, want to plagiarize (Egods!). But now I find it very helpful to read. And not just my own genre'; everything on my "to read" list.

So don't be afraid. Lose yourself in a someone else's book and look for inspiration. Keep writing!