If you want to write, read and read widely. I don’t understand those writers who look at you blankly when you ask them what they’re reading. If you’re not prepared to read what has come before, why should anyone take a chance on your new work? Read classics and contemporary so you get a feel for what has been done and what is being done now!
Read, read, read.
Write, write, write.
Edit, edit, edit.
Persist, persist, persist.
But target accurately and study the publications you want to write for. There are no shortcuts but this kind of research should be fun given you’re looking into areas where you want to write.
Keep your brain active by writing different things. It’ll exercise your writing muscles too. And it makes sure you are never short of something to work on. It can also buy you time. If you’re stuck on a novel, you can work on short stories and working on something else can help free the sticking point. I still don’t believe in writers’ block but I think it natural there’ll be days when the words flow beautifully and others when they don’t! We’re writers, not robots.