Pull out a piece of paper and a pen. Go crazy. Don't listen to any other styles, you'll find yourself looking exactly like them and that's not what you want. Draw whatever: characters, pieces, murals, anything. If you have a permission wall in your area (there's about three or four I can name off here in LA) it's a great place to practice.

Don't tag. That's just vandalism, and takes away from graffiti as a whole. Learn to make big, huge murals. The biggest one I've ever done took me two full days to complete. It's the only way you'll get respect.

But respect isn't what you're looking for, or it shouldn't be. Do it for the art, anything more and you're asking for trouble. Wait years before you put something on a wall, know beforehand that it's the best you can do. Look for yards in your area, and actually ASK for permission first. Have your blackbook on hand to show your idea. If you're good, like you should be if you're putting something on a wall, and it's not gang-related, they'll usually give you the okay. Back when I first started out, I'd do pieces on walls unaware that if you just ask, it's a helluva lot easier. I'm not sure about where you live or your area, but here in LA anywhere in or near venice or the former belmont are pretty open to graffiti as an art. One day, you'll be able to make a career out of it.

That's what I did.