Okay, these are really good questions that, unfortunately, do not have static answers.
I'm looking for a formula, I guess, to assign importance to different factors, as opposed to other factors, with an eye toward plugging all of the useful information you provided into a workable "plan".
That sentence worries me. You cannot create a workable plan -- not really. The human factor is far too large and important a part. You need good luck, good timing, and a good book -- two out of three ain't bad, but all three make a book a success.
(And for "good book" read: commercial. No matter how beautiful your prose is, you can't be a bestseller if people don't want to read about your chosen subject(s).)
Re: Something that would be helpful
I'm looking for a formula, I guess, to assign importance to different factors, as opposed to other factors, with an eye toward plugging all of the useful information you provided into a workable "plan".
That sentence worries me. You cannot create a workable plan -- not really. The human factor is far too large and important a part. You need good luck, good timing, and a good book -- two out of three ain't bad, but all three make a book a success.
(And for "good book" read: commercial. No matter how beautiful your prose is, you can't be a bestseller if people don't want to read about your chosen subject(s).)