Work your writing genre

I've worked with people who were somehow in charge of a number of employees doing jobs that they themselves had never done. Some do it well, but for most, you can absolutely tell that they're talking about tasks that they have never actually had to accomplish themselves.

There are certain tells to these inexperienced workers. If you can, make sure you get experience so these tells don't appear in your writing.

If you like writing plays, work on a play. Be an actor. Do the lighting. Be responsible for props.

If you write freelance newspaper articles, work at a newspaper for a little while, even as a volunteer. Run errands. Answer mail. Deliver mail. Whatever.

Immerse yourself in the world that you want to make your profession. You'll learn how deadlines work. You'll see how people work together. You'll understand how to make the life of everyone you work with easier.

You will learn much more than you even know there is to learn. And, as always, it just might inspire your best story.