I've written business plans that have raised a lot of money, won grant applications for my business plan type writing, and I'll tell you the honest truth.

It's pretty much impossible to write a good business plan. Business plans are by nature boring. What you can do is write well, follow general business plan guidelines, and be writing about a good idea. But that's the best you can do.

A good business plan won't get you very far in my experience, and you won't get funding based on a good business plan. A business plan is sort of like business cards. You need it, but it won't make or break the game as long as you spell everything right.

It seems like the theme of this article is "be honest and self critical".

That sounds pretty reasonable, but I'd be interested in hearing anecdotes from HN/YC-ers in the absence of hard evidence. Anyone care to share?

Get real. Don't write one. Make a job board. Sell a book.