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I came to writing because I thought I'd figured out the tricks, back when I was at school. La de da te da TAA DAA! Is how my early stories would sound now, if reduced to a string of incoherent noises - which would be preferable to reading them.
In a way I never wrote anything better than I did back then because I had no idea all the mistakes I was making.
Democracyman - you're trying to learn the secret behind the craft, and you won't find it in How To books. If you want to write slightly worse than Louis L'Amour, then keep reading Louis L'Amour - if you read enough, and you read them carefully enough, you should be able to write a pastiche quite readily. I've never read the guy, and I'm probably overdue because I love pulp, but if you want to write well, read well and pay attention to what you're reading.
When the need to write becomes a jagged pulse in your skull, you're ready. If you like what you've written, then you haven't learned anything yet. Go read some more.
I am a strong advocate of learning to write by only reading. Actually writing anything will lead to disappointment and shame. Possibly cooties.
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