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In need of Suggestions..

Don't make yourself a character. Trust me. You'll end up trying to make the character too likable and too complex.

I've got others, but I think it'd be best for others to help out a bit

This is why writing is an art, hee hee

Think of your story like a painting. Your words are the colors, and your sentences are the brushes. Or however you see it. This is essential to the "show, don't tell" axiom of writing.

Pretend you're painting us a picture with your story. Add depth and detail so we understand the subtleties of your characters and settings, especially if you write speculative fiction of any kind. Those genres can have stuff you make up just for the story, and you'll need to describe it well enough that the readers know what it is. Few things are more annoying to me than not having enough information to get a clear idea what a new and interesting creature or machine actually looks like and does.

Show us what your characters do rather than just telling us. Let us interpret the painting you make, each in our own way, with our own imaginations. "Joe Borg sat down. He was tired." is telling. Boring stuff, really. "Joe Borg flopped in the bean bag chair, heaving a tired sigh." is showing, and you can picture it your own way while still getting what the writer meant you to get. Stuff like that.

To improve your writing, you definitely need to look into how other people write - how they express emotions, how much of the plot they reveal at particular times, how they describe things, how they write a scene, how they write fast paced action as opposed to slow paced meandering... It's also a good idea to read stories you think are not so good, so you can find out what doesn't work. It's easier to realise that a certain way of writing something sucks if it's not your own work.

But having said that, don't try to adopt someone else' style. You can't please everyone with what you write. Some people will love it, some will hate it. That's just the way of the world.

Don’t forget the other four senses It’s instinctive to describe how something looks (we're such visual creatures), but be sure to include some descriptions from one or more of the other senses, too. Brief example:

“He was tall and sharp-edged, with a voice made hoarse by year after year of cigars. When he began to speak, quietly, roughly, she could smell tobacco and a hint of strange spices on his breath.”

The above is merely character description; be sure to use multiple senses when describing actions or surroundings as well =)

1. Spell check. Nothing is as off-putting as bad spelling.
2. Show, don't tell. Instead of: Ron was so angry at Mona. He felt sad they were breaking up --> Ron slammed his fist into the wall, slumping against the concrete barrior as his love-life dissolved ... (you get the point)
3. Description should be vivid but not overdone.
4. KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid
5. Make use of five senses: while describing a scene, make sure you include sensations of feeling, taste, smell etc.
6. Create wonderful characters by two methods: give them quirks and habits and move the story through their ACTIONS.
7. Characters drive the plot, not vice versa.
8. Read you dialogue out loud to notice weird spots.
9. Read, read and read.
10. Accept all critiques with a light heart. Readers will often notice things you won't. Trust them.