In addition to joining the Guild with Jerry Jenkins, I also belong to a local Word Weavers writers group. I've also complimented these two with several good books on writing. When I look over my writing, I can see a tremendous shift in style and format. I attribute it to what I've learned through these efforts.
Absolutely! When chosen from our own history, events we've experienced and woven into a story brings realistic life, especially dialogue to the manuscript.
Several elements are important for any good story, no matter the genre. First, the story needs to be engaging with the reader--to the point that the reader becomes a partner. Second, read-ability. I often will read my stories aloud and record them. When I play them back, I hear things I completely missed when writing. Sentences I stumble over are quickly changed to make the story flow. Third, the story need to pull the reader forward. They must be left wanting when they finish a page, enough to compel them to read further or they might miss something. Fourth, the technical issues are critical, especially for readers who take pride in finding errors--and believe me, they will find them! And finally fifth, and something I recently started to develop in my own stories, the writer needs to develop a pace to the whole book. Start with an event and then start building the tension through the whole story. Bring the resolution nearly towards the end.
It's okay to take a break--you're not a failure to pause for a few days or even weeks. Often, I spend the time editing or I might even start a page or chapter on a new book that crept into my mind. Like all talents and pursuits, attention to consistent exercise is important. I also read books from other authors, making note when I spot style or methods I want to incorporate into my own.
