Chuck's right, if there's 1200 members here you'll get 1200 variant answers, because whatever works for you...well, it works. I don't use a skew much, so there's answer #2 of 1200!
Chuck's speed ranges sound good. I'd second the backing out often on the drill press. When I started, that was probably the number 1 reason I'd blow out especially acrylics.
Try everything, don't be afraid to make mistakes, experiment but do take classes often. My goal is still 1 class a year, from someone WAY better than I am, which is everybody but Joe in the produce department at my grocery store! Classes are the best way to improve quickly, IMO. Do you have a local woodturner's club? I think for those that do, it's almost a crime not to take advantage of that. We had Dennis Liggett at ours just 2 days ago, he demo'd spiral turnings. Not my cup of tea, but interesting and I still learned something. Next month is Trent Bosch, one of the world's finest presenters, period. Cindy Drozda is a member of our club and was there Tuesday night with her partner David Nittman. Both are demoing at either Provo or AAW, I can't recall which. IAP's own Ed Davidson has demo'd at our club before, and he was awesome. He has stuff you just won't see often, even at AAW National.
My 2 cents would be, drive an hour to a woodturner's club meeting if you can. Even if you are too far away to get the Internatinal talent, there will be local guys that will be great. Or start one!!! Let us know how you do with that!
Dale