Like many things in this world, the more you study and practice creative writing, the better you will become at it. I have written scores of poems, stories, and books, and I find I still have much to learn. Sigh. Learning how to write creatively is a never-ending process. One of the best ways to become a better writer is to take some quality creative writing classes. There are many creative writing programs offered across the country in numerous different forms.
Higher Education Programs. Colleges and universities offer the best programs for creative writing. There are many reputable institutions of higher learning that offer excellent instruction for creative writers. Investigate the colleges and universities nearest you to find out the availability and cost of their writing programs. You can also get an MFA, or Masters in Fine Arts, with an emphasis in creative writing. Look for universities providing MFA degrees.
Online Programs. There are also countless online creative writing classes, programs, and workshops. These classes offer everything from advanced creative writing training to beginning creative writing instruction. Be careful, though--some of these are low-grade programs, designed mainly to take your money. Make sure you research the different writing programs to determine the quality of their training and their reputation in the fiction industry.
Sometimes the best writing programs can be books. Here is one of the best books you can ever read to learn how to write effectively:
Everything Creative Writing Book: All You Need to Know to Write a Novel, Short Story, Screenplay, Poem, or Article. Offers how-to advice on the creative writing process. Separate chapters offer discussions of the different facets of writing short stories, novels, screenplays, functional and literary nonfiction, and poetry. More general chapters offer advice on getting ideas, planning, researching, organizing drafting, editing, evaluating, rhetorical devices, overcoming writer's block, working with others, and getting published.
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York 's Acclaimed Creative Writing School . Written for the aspiring and experienced writer alike, the book includes: the fundamental elements of fiction craft--character, plot, point of view, etc--explained clearly and completely.
The Elements of Style. A fundamental resource for writers, editors, and students. This is the best single source for anyone who desires a pithy, lively guide to the essentials of effective writing. It addresses how to apply the basic principles of grammar and punctuation, properly construct a sentence and a paragraph, use words and expressions in their proper form and context, and avoid the mistakes and mannerisms that make for turgid, pretentious, or simply unintelligible writing.
Here are some great online directories of creative writing classes, degrees, and workshops: