Writing the next bestseller is no easy or small feat. There's so many things to keep in mind when writing a book to ensure your book is a success.
Disclaimer Please remember this is simply my opinion, I'm sure others will disagree with my list as there are many things that could qualify. That being said, here are the top five mistakes a novelist can make:
5. Too Much Description
Look, I get it. A book is just a movie on paper! You want the reader to be able to imagine what's happening, where a character is and what they're doing, or even what the world they live in looks like. However, you can take away from a book as a whole if you overdo it. The coolest part about reading is imagining those things on your own and in your own way. Ideally, everyone should be able to see things in their mind clearly but slightly differently than other readers. Not to mention, filling your book with description rather than plot makes a book very dull.
4. Telling, Not Showing
I see this in so many books, especially in the fantasy genre. One of my biggest pet peeves when reading a book is when the author tells the reader what's happening rather than using descriptors to show it. A lot of telecommunication in books does this, and it's such a fantastic concept that could be done better most of the time. Writing, "I feel a wave of sadness," is so very different than, "I drop to my knees, fighting for breath as the grief consumes me." See the difference? Telling, not showing, is a sluggish way of writing, and one thing I don't stand for is lazy writing. Why write at all if you don't put everything you have into it in the first place?
3. Dull Characters
Characters are the lifeblood of any book. Their vibrant personalities, unique mannerisms, and diverse perspectives should drive the plot forward. After all, static characters lead to a stagnant plot. Moreover, they should be compelling enough to make the reader emotionally invested. There's nothing more disappointing than a book where you can't connect with any of the characters.
2. Predictable Plot
Good books have great plot twists in them. I absolutely hate being able to guess what is about to happen in a book. It's just so dull to me. I want to be enthralled, sitting on the edge of my seat, unable to put a book down because I have to know what happens next! Sometimes, foreshadowing can be a real killjoy in a book because it hints at any plot twists coming up and usually gives things away. In my eyes, you must be good with foreshadowing to use it successfully in a novel. Unfortunately, only a few people have passed my high expectations regarding foreshadowing.
Do you like predicting what will happen in a book?
Yes, I love guessing and getting it right!
No, I get bored by how obvious it is!
Plot Holes
The worst thing in a book is a plot that inconsistencies can easily pick apart. If you're going to give a back story- make it ironclad. This goes for characters as well. If your story is centered around a character's growth, make it flow appropriately with events that change the character's perspective. Let the reader understand their reasoning before switching their opinions or beliefs. It still has to work in conjunction with the character's original personality.
Subplots that go incomplete are another unacceptable plot hole. What's their relevance in the book if they don't tie into it? This can be gotten away with in a series if the subplot is tied into another book, sure, but a one-off book? Nope. You might not even bother with it initially; after all, details in a book are unnecessary until they're made to be so.
Of course, there are so many other things that can make your writing subpar. This just happens to be the things that bother me the most. Drop a comment on the things that drive you crazy when reading a new book! And remember you will never get it right the first go around- but that's what the editing process is for. No first draft is ever published, that's why it's called a draft. You have plenty of time to comb through your work and change things for the better, and having a second pair of eyes to spot things you miss is never a bad thing!
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