Everything is important, but character and dialogue stands out most for me. The journey doesn't hold my interest unless I'm interested in the person it's happening to, and phony dialogue breaks the spell every time.
Finding enough quiet time to get things done. I need a big chunk of time. Hours, not stolen minutes here and there. I plan scenes in my head first, then write. But cutting out distractions long enough to get something down is the trouble.
I definitely judge a book by the cover. Although I LOVE a memorable title, ultimately it's the cover that makes me want to read the back cover blurb. Ultimately though, that blurb is what gets me to buy it.
Yes, until I realized "love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life" is not necessarily true. If you do what you love as a career, the thing you love becomes a chore. Plus, I realized early on how little most writers make. Thus I'm perfectly happy making it my side hustle.
