On writing

I've seen a few people this last week talking about how much they hate their writing and want people to help them out, etc. It's funny how the hive mind of fandom works, because I've been thinking along the same lines the last few weeks. Not that I hate my writing, because I love my stories. Love them. I love writing, I love reading, I love rereading. I've never been unhappy with something I've written until I've grown as a writer, look back, and see everything I did "wrong" in past fics. And, even then, I still like the basic idea, plot, or story.

My problem with my writing is, well, the way I write. My style. I need to grow. It could be better. I tend to rely on stock phrases and movements to break up dialogue or whatnot. "He shrugged." "She ran her hand through her hair." "He smiled tightly" or slightly or a little bit, etc.

I need style-work, and I don't know if working on style is easier or harder than working on plotting. I find plots easy; Reporter!Lex was supposed to be, well, vaguely plotless, and look what happened. A plot grew. But the syle ... it's okay. It's even good. Enjoyable. But it's not great.

So. Any suggestions?

SQUEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Timothy Zahn, my fav. Star Wars writer, wrote a new Star Wars book (Survivor's Quest) AND is going to be at my Barnes and Noble this Friday to sign books. Yay! I can thank him for turning me into the Star Wars geek I am today! *dances*