I'm a new writing student who is looking to eventually get published some day.  I've already taken some writing workshops and I recommend any potential writers attend some because they're alot of fun.  You meet new people while working on your writing skills. 

I've been reading up on the world of writing for about 3 years now.  I've been doing this by attending workshops and taking notes from many books on writing and the business of writing.  I will still need to do this even after I become a published writer because there is always something new to learn about the business.