Robert McCrum in the Guardian Book Blog writes:

“Don’t get depressed: A writer’s guide to surviving the recession”

He provides six useful points:

1.Write in English, British, or American

2.Know Thy Genre

3.Tell a story

4.Write for yourself

5.Respect the reading public

6.Write every day; shun vanity

To which some wit (David Absalom) has added the brilliant comment:

7. Go to a public school and then Oxbridge

8. Keep in touch with your old public school/Oxbridge mates, particularly those in publishing.

9. Did I mention the public school/Oxbridge thing?

Priceless!