RULE 21 If you're going to jump off a bridge, make sure you know how deep the water is Me, I've always been a risk-taker. Too much of a risk-taker some might say. In the long term I haven't regretted the things I've done in life because they've made me who I am, and anyway you never know where the alternative would have got you. In the short term, however, I have often caught myself thinking, `you numbskull! Why didn't you see that coming?' The answer, of course, is because I didn't check how deep the water was before I jumped. There was the time I gave up a very good steady job to become a writer. Didn't think about how long it would take to make any money as a writer.* Didn't plan out whether my savings would last. Didn't calculate what the mort- gage, bills, weekly shopping, car, pet food and all the rest would cost me with a new lifestyle. Well eventually I started to make a living from my writing, but there were some pretty sticky years first I can tell you. I've always been terrified of ending up like those people I know who never take risks and who never go anywhere, change, grow, do anything, realise their dreams. I've seen it too often and I don't want my name added to the list, thank you. But over the years I've noticed that the people who are really happy are the ones who take risks, sure, but they look ahead first. Not looking for excuses * The answer, if you're wondering, is several years. 44 T H E R UL ES OF LIFE