Ability to accept criticism 
• Ability to market and promote your work
• Ability to meet deadlines 
• Choose your subject matter based on personal interest or be given a commission by agents or publishers 
• Come up with themes, ideas or plots 
• Excellent research skills 
• IT skills 
• Perseverance and determination 
• Research, draft and revise your work 
• Self-discipline and motivation 
• Submit your draft to a publisher, either unsolicited or through an agent 
• Willingness to work alone for long periods 
• Writing skills