The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading

[Agnosticsherbet]

6. First) Get the Grammar Right...

Second) What ever it takes, before you submit make sure the story is clean of errors. Beta readers you can trust are a requirement, especially beta readers that tell you what is wrong. I use Microsoft Word to read the story aloud to me. I catch more errors from hearing my words than seeing them on the page.
Three) Read! The discipline to write everyday is critical, but reading everyday is just as important. I've developed a habit of reading with a red pencil. When I see something I like or something I think doesn't work, I mark it.
Four) Find a support group, I belong to a private group on Facebook where I can post parts of a work in progress for critique. The group has both unpublished and published writers. Online you can find Critique Circle. I attend a writer's group in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore.