Writing a novel is an incredibly challenging process that often takes months or years to complete. When the book does come out, the biggest disappointment a writer can get is for people to criticize his/her story as dull or boring. While we hear a lot of success stories about authors, many others make mistakes that are often costly.
A few such mistakes can make all the difference between a tome and a page-turner. This article outlines some of the common mistakes made by writers that compromise on the quality of the content, and what you can do to avoid them.
7 Mistakes You Should Avoid as an Author
1. Sloppy Plot
The first thing you should do when you plan to write a book is to create the plot outline. Your story’s foundation should include the introduction, key events, the climax, and the main characters. Keeping this fixed will help you keep track of the underlying story as you build the other elements; you can use a writing app to assist you in this regard.
If you don’t have a book outline, your ideas can go haywire. You might forget why you introduced a particular character, or mess up the timeline, and ruin the overall coherency of the story. A hard-to-understand but logical tale is a challenge for readers; an incoherent story is a bad read.
2. Unrealistic Characters
How you shape your characters is entirely up to you: you can give them any name, any religion, any background, and any qualities of your choice. However, the reader should find some connection with the characters to enjoy the story.
Of course, you do have the freedom to create crazy characters to give a humor element, like the Asterix comics or some characters in the stories of PG Wodehouse. However, these are effective only if you get the comic details and timing right. You can also create superheroes and fantasy creatures, as J K Rowling did, but there must be some other quality that the reader can relate to, like friendship or love.
Note that this does mean your characters always have to be “likable.” Some of the most powerful villains and antagonists have become popular because of the unanimous hatred that readers have for their characters. Examples would be Iago in Othello and The White Witch in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.
3. Too Predictable
Readers are engaged if they have something to look forward to in your story. Readers are surprised when what actually happens is logical but not what they expected; such plot twists give the “Aha!” effect. Although “suspense” is a word that is usually associated with thriller or mystery novels, every story can have segments of some storylines where the reader has to keep guessing.
If you make your story too predictable, readers lose interest. There is nothing wrong with a straightforward narrative, but it should still its ups and downs that keep the reader in the loop. A dry story with a tame ending is nothing but a bore.
4. Erratic Pacing
A common notion among writers is that a fast-paced novel is what readers like. For a thriller or suspense genre, that is true: stories involve a lot of action, so they need to unfurl at a quick pace. Romance novels, for example, can afford to move slightly slower, with a lot of emphasis given to character development and feelings than action.
A fast-paced book does not mean your chapters should be just a couple of pages long, and it does not mean you can compromise on details and descriptions to pace it faster. Any story where there are enough plot twists and a storyline that escalates towards the climax is an exciting read.
5. A Blunt Climax
The ending is often the segment of a story that influences the reader the most. It is the climax that has a lingering effect, more than the remainder of the story. A tame ending almost instantly puts readers off.
Climaxes can be of several types: they can involve an action-packed duel between the hero and villain, a poignant parting of ways, or a sudden, ambiguous ending open to interpretation or indicating a sequel. You can choose whichever type best fits your story, but it should be natural. Ending the story prematurely or without tying up loose ends can confuse the reader, leaving a bad impression.
6. Not Being Unique
Every good writer has a characteristic feature: their writing style, type of characters, or specific recurring themes. As a writer, you must allow yourself to experiment with your writing. They may not guarantee instant success, but that is not an excuse to imitate another writer.
From the basic plot outline to intricate details, your originality is one of your most significant assets. You can draw inspiration from other writers by reading their work, but what you finally pen down must be your own. A similar plot or premise as another novel can make the story predictable, and you lose your credibility.
7. Lack of Knowledge
Writers misuse their creative license in many ways, and one of them is to ignore scientific or historical accuracy. When you write a story that blends science and fiction, or real-life past events, you should do some research on the scientific principle behind the concept you use or the historical events that took place.
You have the right to use your imagination and make some assumptions about futuristic science concepts (like Jurassic Park or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) or tweak the events of history to some extent (The English Patient), but not to the extent that people stop believing what you write. Well-researched material can help you elucidate science or history to your readers, which will make them appreciate the subject, and hence, your work.
Improve Your Writing Today
By avoiding these errors, your quality of writing will automatically improve. Writing a book takes persistent and continuous efforts, so you should be all the more careful to ensure you follow the guidelines to avoid mistakes. With these tips and other aides like the best novel writing software applications, you will soon be on your way to publishing a bestseller!
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