My advice to writers in WSC 1 is to write often, and if given the opportunity, write what you like to write about. It is easy to crank out mindless junk and get away with it, but such a manufacturing stupor will not make you a better writer. Only by writing about things you enjoy can you discover how you write.
My second piece of advice is to only accept criticism after carefully evaluating it. You should listen to criticism, since it at least attempts to help you. Never nod eagerly after criticism, saying "yeah, ok, right" and looking like a thoughtless puppet. I always take time to consider criticism before inserting it in my own writing. Now, if you truly heeded my advice, you won't listen to a word I said.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I happen to agree with you completely. Writing about what you enjoy is truly the only way to discover how you write your best. And your second comment is true but it's so hard to do. Even when a teacher gives me constructive criticism, I have trouble excepting it because it hurts my pride.
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