I hear you both, which is why I'm on this forum in the first place. It's just like anything else I suppose, there's no magic formula, no quick fix. You truly have to be willing to learn, you have to practice and you have to be resourceful. Thinking only from a human psychology perspective, it makes sense to want to take the easier route and pay some "guru" to give you his secrets. In any case, I'm not in a position to pay anyone to teach me anything whatsoever. Therefore, I'll be sticking to good solid internet research with a grain or two of salt for good measure.
You talk about having my methods written on paper, in other words a trade journal. I've been told that by someone else either. I'll definitely start doing that!
Thanks!