Often writers ask how they can learn to write better. Yes, there are 'how to' books out there, but this is often the advice I give:
Read books you enjoy, but do more than just read them. Study them. Pay attention to how successful authors accomplished things like dialogue, description, pacing, POV, action scenes, etc. Take notes, maybe even bookmark specific examples.
Then, when you're writing and get stuck or feel something isn't working, you have examples to go back to and review. Apply how those authors managed it, incorporating your own story and writing style.
Always remember, don't compare your first draft to the final (published) works out there. Heck, be careful how you compare your finished works to others out there. Remember, you will have strengths and places where you will need to improve throughout your writing career.
I personally have go to books and authors. Zelazny, Brust, Donaldson, Ringo, Hamilton, Moorcock, and Turtledove are the main ones for me.
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