Avoid all contact with water! Chocolate will seize and become unworkable if it comes into contact with even a few droplets of water. Make sure your bowls, workstation, and spatulas are completely dry.
Melt the chocolate slowly over low heat. Chocolate is very delicate and can become lumpy or grainy if overheated.
Stir the chocolate frequently with a rubber spatula, once the outer edges start to melt.
Chocolate retains its shape when melted, so the only way to know if it is truly melted is to stir it. Do not rely on appearances alone