I aspired to become a writer for so long. I've been pretty frustrated with my writing as of late, comparing myself to other writers and looking at the way they write with such fascinating characters, great descriptive language, and realistic dialogue. How can I be a better writer?

Tina C Check your high schools for night courses in writing and sign up, join a local group of writers who will help with critiquing your work, hire a book doctor to guide you (latter pretty expensive). Study sentence structure of sentences in books you like and admire. If you're still in college, seek out a teacher to crit your work. Student programs where some are helping others with their writing. Read (which you already do), study flow of sentences, paragraphs.

A couple tips that I found helpful: say it in as least words possible. Modern day readers do not like to read loaded down sentences, prose.

Make every word count. Have a reason for every word. Ditch if not moving story along.

I read a modern cozy where the writer was too heavy with description. Spent more time working through that than reading clues and mystery.

Ex; Susie dressed in pink lipstick, red sweater, boots, jeans and jacket entered the darkened mansion.

Susie, dressed in jeans and jacket entered the darkened mansion. Something like that.
Best wishes, LM!

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