Writing skill-building

[darklyndsea]

So, in the past few years, thanks to doing NaNoWriMo, I've realized that, while I may be able to write 50,000 words in a month on a yearly basis and as a bonus even have it be halfway coherent despite the random explosions I write in on the 5th of November, I kind of lack certain novel-writing skills.  Like, how do you divide it into chapters?  How do you write a good ending (i.e., one that doesn't just stop suddenly)?  And the thing is, it's next to impossible to find how to write guides for those of us who have mastered the basics (NaNoWriMo-related evidence to the contrary).  It's very aggravating; about the only resource I've found that I like is Show Some Character!

Of course, this rant comes about for a reason; I've been slowly working on The Epic, trying some new things trying to make it good, and it's made me realize how much more I have to learn.  But I think that's how it is for everybody.  If you don't think your writing needs to improve, chances are you're wrong.