Five Simple and Painless Steps 
to Develop Your Writing

1. Write - often and with abandon. You will need a computer or paper and pencil.

2. Get to know yourself - all you need for this are the items from step 1 and some time with yourself.

3. Write about what you know. Combine  step 1 with step 2.

4. Read - often and anything. You will need your eyesight (or ears and audio books), a library card, ebook account, a way to and some cash for the book store.

5. Read what you write. Combine steps 1 - 4. (This is a real money saver when it comes to step 4.)

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More writing resources on the web:
Pixar's Writing Tips - brilliantly simple ideas from the people who know how to tell a story.
Writer's Digest - advice on writing & getting published.
Aerogramme Writers Studio - tons of articles by great writers on what works and what doesn't.
iUniverse - 20 simple ideas to try.
Chicago Manual of Style - essential for clean grammar!
The Phrase Finder - I love this site for finding the proper use of common (and not so common) phrases and proverbs.

Five More Simple Steps 
to Improve Your Writing

1. Write some more - with greater abandon and no eraser (that means no delete button either).

2. Care about what you have to say.

3. Read with intention. Think about what you read.

4. Combine steps 1 - 3. Consider how your writing compares to other writers.

5. Ask someone who you respect (your mom, dad, teacher, friend): "Could you read what I wrote? Will you tell me what you think?"