Naiome,

Good to hear from you. As one who works with young artists and writers on a daily basis, the above information is very good. I would add, finding ways to utilize (I never say USE, we are all looking for a win-win, where we all get something) other people in a quest for your own music journey.
Along with the aforementioned advice, building a team, working locally first, then regionally, then nationally, don't overlook things. I don't know what region of the country you are in, but there are usually writers everywhere. In order to do anything as an artist in any format, it requires two main things:

Original material.
Fan base.

I don't know what your focus is but you should learn as much about songwriting as you can.That is something you can always do. But if you are an artist, never overlook the material of others. People on this site and others have songs that might already be recorded, you could sing to for little or no money. That helps them as well as you. Find songs you like. That speak to you.

Co-write with other people and utilize their talenst as well as your own. Sing their songs in shows and have them help you build your fan base. Always look for things around you.

Learn the market and what others are doing. Read biographies, visit web sites. Learn from those who know more than you. Attend workshops. Support other writers and artists. And perform on every opportunity you can. If you are good, other people will naturally come to you. If you are not, you have to work harder.

And remember my favorite advice.
"If you ever want to get a royalty check, first get a reality check." Make sure you don't trust friends and family for opinions or critiques. They love you and don't always have your overall best interest around. Get among people who don't know you. Earn their respect. And that takes the "W" word. Work.

There are four areas that all music business boils down to:

#1 Creation of the song.
#2 Presentation of the song (live and demo)
#3 Networking
#4 Business

If you study what you are doing. You will find a way. That is the reality.

MAB