I just want an opinion here. I've been writing for about ten years, and I've improved greatly. Though, now I'm beginning to feel like I've reached a standstill. I still read a lot to expand my knowledge and vocabulary, and I bounce back and forth between different styles, but I still feel like I don't write well enough at all for a kid who's about to enter college and go for a writing/English major.

Aside from continuing to write and broaden a vocabulary, are there any specific writing activities I can play around with that might help better my skills?

Read and write. Write and read!

My husband was a writer and published 9 nonfiction books and many magazine articles. He didn't have anything published until he was in his late thirties. He believed that writing was a craft. Craftsmen practice and hone their skills. Even for his last book, we wrote about 4 drafts before he was satisfied enough to submit the manuscript for publication.

Keep practicing and you'll improve.

It's great that you've been writing for ten years and have seen improvement in your skills. Feeling like you've hit a standstill is a common experience for writers, but don't worry, there are several activities you can try to continue improving your writing:

1. Practice freewriting: Set aside time each day to write without any restrictions or self-judgment. This can help you explore new ideas, improve your flow, and develop your voice.

2. Join a writing group or workshop: Engage with fellow writers who can provide feedback and constructive criticism on your work. It's helpful to have a fresh pair of eyes to offer suggestions and perspectives.

3. Experiment with different genres and styles: Challenge yourself to write in genres or styles you haven't tried before. This can help you discover new techniques, broaden your writing abilities, and keep your creativity flowing.

4. Analyze and learn from your favorite authors: Take the time to study the work of authors you admire. Pay attention to their writing techniques, storytelling methods, and use of language. Explore how they create compelling characters and build engaging narratives.

5. Set specific writing goals and deadlines: By setting goals and deadlines, you can create a structured writing routine. This can help you stay motivated, maintain consistent progress, and push yourself to improve.

6. Edit and revise your work: Writing is a process, and the first draft is often not the best representation of your skills. Take the time to revise and edit your work critically. Analyze your writing for clarity, organization, grammar, and style. This iterative process will help you refine your writing abilities over time.

Remember, writing is a lifelong learning process, and continued practice, reading, and exposure to different writing experiences will help you grow as a writer. Don't be too hard on yourself and enjoy the journey of honing your skills.