When you start a longer writing project for the first time, you might wonder about typical beginners’ mistakes. The good news is that you can avoid some of these issues by becoming aware of them in the first place. Even if you have some experience under your belt, it’s good to revisit certain pitfalls that can make your writing dull and less effective. Many of the things to avoid in your writing will depend on your specific project type. Below, we look at some typical writing mistakes and how to avoid them.
Planning too little or too much
It can be tricky to know whether you are planning too little or too much. Not planning out a lengthy writing project at all may lead to frustration and writer’s block later on. You might lose your critical perspective on the project and write yourself into a corner you can’t get out of. This may lead you to abandon an unfinished project and start a new one. Finding yourself in the exact same spot a few months later can waste your time and affect your confidence.
Keeping in mind the parameters of your type of manuscript, some basic planning can save you many headaches later on. Consider a separate notebook for documenting ideas and concerns as they arise. In the first step, you would roughly outline the entire project. This will force you to determine a foundational part or chapter structure. If you are writing a novel, you could start placing ideas for key scenes within your selected plot structure. You can always adjust the planned structure as your concept evolves but don’t skip this step altogether.
Careful planning involves thorough research. Ensure that you understand the conventions and the target audience of your specific genre. If you are writing a historical novel, for instance, you should verify all references against the time period in which it is set. The same applies to the actual facts you reference.
Manageable planning and research tasks can also motivate you to tackle your project. If you have a tendency to overthink to the point of paralysis, you could balance your planning with free-flow writing exercises.
No overarching theme
Sometimes we read a manuscript and feel that it lacks meaningful depth. Often this issue originates from the lack of a theme. In basic terms, a theme is the main idea within a piece of writing. It often conveys a message about the human condition and is best left to gradually emerge throughout the story. A narrative can convey a theme through the plot, the characters, and the setting. Do some research on themes and ask yourself what message you want your manuscript to convey beyond the plot level. Incorporate ideas on how to implement your theme throughout your manuscript during the planning stage.
Flat characters
Depending on the story you want to tell, the plot or the characters could drive the narrative. Aim for well-rounded, believable, and likeable characters with whom the reader identifies. If the reader is not invested in the characters, they likely won’t care about a protagonist’s inner turmoil and transformation. While it is normal for minor characters to have less depth, your protagonist should not be a flat character. Carefully develop your protagonist as a multidimensional person to ensure a round character. This involves a detailed background story, character traits, and a purpose. If thought through properly, internal conflict can lend a character depth. However, ensure you only add relevant information that advances the character in some way.
Unrealistic dialogue
If you are writing in a genre that includes dialogue, think about proportions and style. Sometimes overly formal dialogue sounds unrealistic and stilted. If inconsequential dialogue dominates a scene unnecessarily, it can potentially bore the reader. Keeping in mind the purpose of each scene, aim for an organic balance between dialogue and narration. Also, keep the dialogue as short as necessary and vary the dialogue tags you use. In scenes where two characters talk to each other, you might even be able to discard dialogue tags after the first use.
Dialogue is a distinct narrative element that often sounds different from the story’s main narration. Consider a particular character’s background and personality to craft the way they speak. If you struggle with making your dialogue sound realistic, you can start by consciously listening to how people in your daily life speak. You could also read various literary examples of effective dialogue.
Repetition and inconsistencies
This is a broader set of issues that can manifest in plot elements, perspective, and tense. You can often prevent loose ends in a plot structure by carefully planning your plot from the start. The planning stage should also include the narrative’s tense and point of view. If you intend to use several temporal layers and perspectives, plan out how each element will fit into the broader project. Consistent focalisation is crucial for the reader to experience a coherent narrative. If the perspective shifts too frequently, the narration can become unclear and distorted.
Similarly, excessive repetition can occur on a stylistic and a plot level. Reading the same sentence structures, adjectives, and filler words over and over again becomes tiring. Certain elements, such as a character’s inner turmoil, warrant repeated emphasis. Effective repetition varies in presentation and often coheres thematically or symbolically. By contrast, frequent mention of the protagonist’s hair colour might not advance a narrative.
Keep track of how and where you reveal certain information and trust your reader to remember important parts. A detail-oriented beta reader may help you identify such issues.
Stylistic pitfalls
If you want to avoid typical writing mistakes, focus on two stylistic pitfalls: the passive voice and the much-debated issue of showing vs. telling.
The passive voice tends to make sentences unnecessarily wordy and awkward.
Example: “The newspaper is read by Jack every morning.”
An active sentence is often more concise and compelling in a narrative.
Example: “John reads the newspaper every morning.”
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should never use the passive voice. Try to limit your use of this structure to instances in which the passive element underlines the content. You could try out the Hemingway Editor app since it highlights the passive voice. It might help you become more aware of how you use this structure.
The distinction between showing and telling refers to two types of narrative representation. In a nutshell, telling means that the author explicitly states a character’s feelings or an atmosphere through exposition.
Example: “Sarah was scared.”
Showing suggests the author conveys this knowledge implicitly through the senses. In other words, telling summarises and showing evokes an atmosphere or perception.
Example: “Sarah’s jaw clenched and her heart started racing. A thin layer of cold sweat formed on her palms.”
You can include more showing in your writing by appealing to the different senses and using strong verbs. You can also revise your dialogue to include more detail. Try to paint a picture of the scene so that the reader draws a conclusion.
Not editing and proofreading
It feels great to have completed the first draft of your manuscript. However, the work doesn’t end here as it is rare for a first draft to be the final version. If you want to avoid typical writing mistakes, don’t neglect thorough editing and proofreading. Editing is a multifaceted process and much more than scanning your document for obvious typos. Most writers will require some degree of professional editing. Ensure you really understand the different types of editing. Allocate sufficient time for multiple rounds of revisions. If you choose to work with a professional editor, here are some useful tips. You could learn the basics of developmental self-editing and copy editing your own writing to improve your writing skills. This does not replace professional services. However, if done well, it can reduce the amount of external editing required.
Get started
Improving your writing isn’t a linear exercise but a continuous learning curve with potential detours. You first need to become aware of typical writing mistakes to avoid them. If you can dedicate the time and effort it takes to identify and work on specific issues, you can certainly avoid these typical problems.