How to practice writing stories?

I've had an interest to writing for a while but when I write it never quite sounds right. I mean I read… A lot. That's how basically spent my summer.

But anyways, r there any neat ways to practice writing? I'm a freshman in high school, I wanted to spend this whole year practicing writing before I start an official novel for fun next year.

I really would appreciate each and every single answer.

Ps: I know my writing sucks here, its because I'm writing this on my iPhone and I'm kind of rushing everything. But that'll you anyways.

Pick a topic, then write about it, like you would for a novel, or a script. Also for your novel, there's a neat iPhone app for writing called Wattpad.

Set aside time to write every day and follow through with it.
Free-journal, write about your past, write detailed descriptions of things you remember. Make up stories about yourself, rant, cry, write about what you're afraid of.
Cut out TV.
Read good books.

Neat ways to practice writing:
keep a journal of your feelings and opinions
be your own teacher by giving yourself writing prompts
think about topics you would like to write about

The only way to get better at something is to practice it correctly.

There are three writing techniques I use:
1. Writing Prompts. There are lots of prompts online and when you find one that you like it can really get your writing going.
2. Babble. Sit down, clear your mind, and start writing. Whatever appears on the page, let it. You might come up with poetic phrases, cool ideas, or nothing at all. See what happens.
3. NaNoWriMo. If you want to write a book for fun, this is a neat (and very widespread) challenge that will keep you writing and at the end of the month, you'll have a ton of chapters that you can spend the next year revising. Sign up for it! (nanowrimo.org)

People knock it, but fanfiction is a great way to practice writing.
Check out fanfiction.net and read some stories there, then decide for yourself.

You keep writing, even if it doesn't "sound right." And while you read, actually pay attention to things and phrases the author uses sometimes, don't just read it and take in nothing but the plot.

People-people-people! She just said she's a freshman in High School… And she's wants to write a novel! Look, Momo, whether it be for fun, love, or money, do yourself a favor. Get yourself on firm "literary footing", okay?

My personal experience is, novels are great for entertainment, and actually seeing what "Bought and Paid For" writing looks like. What they don't show you is everything the writers pluck, prune, pick, add, and otherwise edit to get that finished product. To that end, I strongly recommend adding these books to your writer's bookshelf. (Tell your parents, these will make a GREAT early Christmas present!)

1. Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White.
2. On Writing Well by William Zinnser.
3. Getting the Words Right: How to Revise, Edit & Rewrite by Theodore A. Rees Cheney.
4. The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Grammar And Punctuation by Ph. D., Jay Stevenson
( No insult intended on that last suggestion.)

Lastly, any dictionary with at least 55, 000 entries. Don't go much bigger than that. The average american has only about 33, 000 words in their whole vocabulary. At least you can know what they all mean.

You said you wanted to practice writing. Practice writing well!