That's the cold but honest truth.
My greatest fear as a writer is not that my writing is bad, but that my writing is boring.
Please join me in this fear.
Last week in the Power Writers Report, we explored three mistakes that most fiction writers make. If you missed it, click here to read the first three mistakes.
Today we're going to look at three more mistakes—all of which apply to nonfiction writers as well.
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Let's Learn From These Mistakes
If you've made these mistakes, please don't feel embarrassed. Lord knows I've broken about every rule of good writing.
The only way to improve your writing is to keep writing.
Here are three more of the biggest mistakes fiction writers make:
Mistake #4: Telling, not showing
Writing is all about creating an image in your reader’s mind. You can accomplish this by using descriptive language, not editorializing.
For example, rather than saying a character is sad, list the
outward signs of their sadness. Describe the behaviors they engage in due to this emotion.
Drooping shoulders.
Shrugging shoulders.
Clenching a fist.
You get the idea.
This might surprise you, but less is more when you choose your words well. A succinct sentence captures a character’s emotions and puts the reader in their shoes.
And, of course, always include lots of dialogue. Don’t just write that the two characters held a conversation—actually show it.
Mistake #5: Focusing on what's boring or irrelevant
This one begs the question, “How do I know what is boring and what is interesting?” The answer lies in the plot of your book.
Interesting events move the plot forward, while boring events fail to impact the plot. Little side quests that may seem fun can bore a reader if they fail to affect the story.
You may have created an interesting character who doesn't play a role in moving
the story forward. But you love the character.
Not trying to be insensitive, but you need to kill your little darling.
Mistake #6: Not including a strong beginning, inciting incident, climax, and ending
This may sound like a formula, but hear me out. Formulas exist for one reason:
they work!
All four parts mentioned above
are integral to any story, and the strength of your book depends on them.
It's the skeleton which connects all the other parts.
The first two set your book up for success and keep your readers engaged, while the last two affect your readers' ultimate opinion of your book.
And by the way, once you hit the climax, end the story as soon as possible. You've done your job. Now get out.
Spend a good portion of your time editing these four parts. They need to be fully polished to keep your reader engaged.
Stop Spinning Your Wheels
Maybe you're sitting on a book idea but feel paralyzed about what to do next.
Is it an interesting story?
Is my writing any good?
Do I have something to say?
Is my manuscript ready to go to a copyeditor?
Do I even
need a copyeditor?
You know what you need? A team of
professionals who understand because they've been there. A team of professionals who will guide you forward.
Not trying to brag, but the Illumify team averages 20+ years of experience in traditional publishing.
And. They're. Kind.
If you're interested in getting some of your questions answered, let's talk. You can schedule a meeting with me today by clicking here.
Let’s bring your book to life!
