-
Step 1
Enroll in a fiction writing workshop or attend a writer's retreat to fine-tune your writing skills. Not only will you practice creative storytelling, receive inspiration from other writers and get helpful critiques, but you'll also be able to attend seminars from published authors, editors and writing agents (see Resources)
-
Step 2
Join or establish a writer's group where you can meet regularly with others who want to publish short stories or novels. Take turns reading excerpts from your work, critiquing and brainstorming new plotlines or character ideas. You can also motivate each other to write daily and share leads when it comes time to submit your manuscripts.
-
Step 3
Buy creative writing books aimed at the aspects that are troubling you. Many feature exercises to help you add details, describe a setting or create believable characters, for example. You can also subscribe to writer's magazines for additional tips, trends and interviews with authors and publishers.
-
Step 4
Read fiction of all types to learn more about effective dialogue, pacing and characterization. Analyze what makes your favorite writer's work engaging and what makes a particular character one that you'll follow over the course of several books, for example.
-
Step 5
Write daily to get into the habit and practice the skills you've learned in workshops and books. Try writing for 10 minutes straight on any topic without stopping to think or edit. This "freewriting" may generate a gem that you can use as part of a character study or new plotline.
