Take advantage of the urge to write!

I'm active in a regional nonprofit group for writers, and I really want to encourage you to find a similar group in your area.

Especially a group that has a critique group. That's vital to all writers. Writing is such a solitary act, and you need feedback from other writers. Not feedback from a spouse, parent, good friend -- unless that person happens to be a writer. You need writers to point out what's good and what needs a little more work, and you need to do this before you send it to an editor or agent.