practice! writing is a craft that you hone with time. you're going to grow naturally through experience. don't beat yourself up if you feel like you're not where you want to be. it's supposed to begin that way. when i first started writing, i posted a fic online and the only person to comment left me a paragraph telling me what a shitty writer i was. ignoring that kind of malice, and making sure you don't speak to yourself that way either, is how you're going to improve and actually enjoy yourself.

i personally find that the build up to better writing is gradual. you start picking up things like style/structure as you go. if i look back at Blue, which i only wrote 1.5 years ago, it's clumsy compared to what i write now. you also develop your own voice through experience. the same way you might read an author's fics and see their "tells" (like wow, they always use x or y metaphor, or word things this particular way) the author learned about themselves along the way, too. because writing is an expression of yourself.

as with anything, making sure it's sustainable (so, being kind to yourself) and sticking with it even if it's frustrating at times (taking breaks but making sure not to give up is crucial) is what's going to give you the progress you want.

and if you're nervous about posting/feedback, do your best so that you're proud of what you've written, and then post it anyway. people can be kinder than you expect and surprise you. and anyone who is mean is just insecure about something on their end. if you focus on writing stories YOU enjoy and feel excited about creating, then you connect with the writing process more deeply. this will carry you through the growing phase.

🤍