Being a published novelist has been one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. But the road to getting here was full of unexpected twists, turns, and outright roadblocks. In Part 1 I wrote about writing the first draft of “Spanking New,” my obtuseness regarding the publishing world, and getting my first break. Part 2 includes some hard-earned lessons and a tick. And Part 3, the happy ending in this tale of tenacity and desire, includes (Gasp!) some words of wisdom for those who want to pursue this path. I can’t say I’m an expert, but (despite myself at times) I have learned a few things. Read on.