1. Write every day. Dedicate a regular time to sit and write something.
2. Carry a journal or some type of pad or notebook to jot down those pithy thoughts that come to you in daily life. If you don’t jot them down right away, some times (most times?) they excape, never to return. You never know when those will be key lines or prominent thoughts in your next work (or even fuel to feed your muse when you have a bit of a block.)
3. Read good, well-written, classic literature. You are influenced to write, by what you read. And in case you don’t know what defines a classic, it’s simply something that remains and stands the test of time.

Those are good starters. You are SO right about being willing to accept criticism. You have to learn to divorce your feelings about your work to some degree from what people say about it. You also have to figure out how much you are willing to compromise, as far as how much you will bend for a publisher and his requirements. Like the rest of your life, you bring these disciplines under the broader umbrella of your faith, believing because God has called you are you are seeking his will, that which God gives you passion for is part of his will for you. All the best as you follow your dreams on this!

So, you want to be a writer. Then, write. It’s like the old joke– “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Answer: “Practice, Practice”.

My most favorite part of writing is that you are creating when you write. (By the way, you and I are made in the image of “the Creator”. So, when you write you are actually expressing yourself divinely. Wow!

Now, back to the practice thing…As your read novels, pay attention to the techniques of other authors. Try out those techniques. My 9th grade english teacher gave me the best advice ever–”Writing is a process of discovery!”
With practice you will discover your voice, your favorite styles, and techniques.
Enjoy!

Oh BTW- I work for a company that provides tools for…..Writing!
I will also be releasing a new software application for achieving any dream–stay tuned as “The Dream Machine” comes out in 2 weeks!

God Bless!