When you make your move, don't waste time. Set up a routine as soon as possible. Don't kill yourself: The object is to set up a sustainable situation that moves you steadily toward your goals. Set up a writing routine. Renew contacts with people you've met and schedule co-writes. Get to know the writer's hangouts. Don't think you're going to take over the town in two weeks. This is going to take a while. You're here for the long haul; treat it that way.

You may have to make some adjustments. If you've never lived in a big city, be prepared for culture shock in places like New York and LA, where Kamikaze cabdrivers, gridlock, and crime might be new experiences for you. If you're heading down to Nashville or Atlanta, get ready for sweet tea, hot summers, and bugs you've only seen in movies. In any hub over a hundred miles from your home, people may talk, drive, and eat differently. The sooner you embrace the culture of your hub, the sooner you'll stop looking like a tourist.