I learned so many things while writing this story. Actually, I'm not sure learned is the right word. I knew some of them already, but I guess needed a big reminder. I doubt I can even begin to list everything in one blog post. I will probably mention some of the things in this post and then go back and expound a little more on some of them later. That's my plan anyway.

That one statement might really sum everything I learned up in just a few words. There were so many times while writing this story that I doubted I could do it. There were so many times I couldn't think of what I wanted to say or what I wanted to happen or even what words I'd use to describe it. Getting from page one to the end can be very intimidating. But I did it and now I know I can do it again.
2) You HAVE to listen to your characters.
I can't speak for every writer out there, but this pretty much explains the reason I have any block I've ever had. It's not a block, it's my characters telling me I'm being stupid with them. For me to write anything that's halfway good, I have to really be in my characters mind. I have to know what they are thinking and how they would react. Sometimes it takes days of thinking about the character and knowing them. My favorite part of a story is when I get so deep into the characters that I get a thought and I know it's not really my thought, it's theirs. That might sound crazy to someone who isn't a writer, but to me it's amazing! I always jot those thoughts down as quick as I can because that's when the writing gets good! (for me anyway)
3) Procrastination is BAD!
When I first found out about this contest I KNEW I had to do it. It had deadlines. I need deadlines. I need to know that I have to have something done by a certain date. If I don't have that, I mess around and make excuses. Excuses are probably procrastinations best friend. I hope I'm done with that. Now I know I can do it, but only if I quit procrastinating and making excuses. Even with the deadlines, I pushed my limits. When they announced who was going on to the final round of submitting a full, I barely had four chapters finished. I had the book plotted out and knew what I wanted to happen, but I had very little writing done. Did I turn in my best possible work? Probably not. Should I have taken more time and and given myself plenty of time to edit and polish in the end? Definitely! Will I ever do that again? I hope not. Procrastination is bad people, bad, bad, bad!!
4) Bad writing can be fixed!!

Those are just a few of the things I learned. I know there was so much more that I'm not remembering right now. If it comes to me later, then I'll have another blog post. Writing is often a learning experience every time you do it.
Meanwhile - What are some things you have learned in your writing experiences?