Read other writers.

Seriously.  The best way to learn how to develop plots, how to develop characters, how to craft a story, how to transition from one chapter to the next and all those other things which make up a good story is to read good writers.

A study in the USA found that the period of least brain activity is watching television.

Yep, even less than sleeping.  One of the periods of greatest brain activity is when you are reading.  Reading to learn how to write is different to the reading we do just for pleasure.    That is escapist reading and, while great, you won’t learn much about how to write from that.  What you will learn though is which stories really get you in.

Once you know that then you should read those same books in more depth.  Remember those book reports you did in school?  Now you need to do them for you.  You should read the book consciously and carefully, take notes.  Examine the use of language, sentence structure.  How the character and plot are crafted. 

Examine the use of syntax, why certain words are used, what order the words are used and why.  Think about what works and why, what doesn’t work an why.  It takes time and effort to become a good analytical reader but the benefit to you is a much better understanding of what good writing is and how to do it yourself.

Quality writing is like quality art, first you have to learn to imitate the techniques well enough to be able to create the same style.  Not plagiarism, oh no, that’s not acceptable.  No, you write your stories in their style.  When you have that style down, find another author you like and learn to imitate them.

This is a case of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.

How can you expect people to read your stories if you won’t read theirs?  I doubt that there is any significant writer who doesn’t read other writers work.

Writing is no different to any other craft, first you learn from a craftsperson how to do it their way.  Once you’ve learned that you then can develop your own style but you start from a different skill base that the one your started with.

Don’t let the skills of other writers put you off, you will learn how to write and then you will develop your own ‘voice’.  You may never experience the multi-million dollar outrageous success of those at the absolute top of the tree but there is no reason why you cannot enjoy all the success you can handle.

There is no rush, good craftwork takes time and care.  Your book is worth the time.