What are the most serious errors made by a beginning writer?
Two major areas come to mindpacing and passive writing. Pacing refers to starting the story at the point of change. New writers tend to weigh the opening chapters down with backstory. A page-turning novel begins with action at the spot where something happens that will change the life of the main character. The next part of pacing is making sure that every scene and every piece of dialogue moves the plot forward by providing new information, new insight to characterization, or strengthens or adds conflict. Passive writing destroys action and imagery necessary for a good story. Writers should strive for active writingto show not tell, to select the most appropriate verb so that adverbs can be removed, and to enhance visual descriptions. Instead of walked slowly use crept, inched, ambled, meanderedverbs that capture the mood of the story and create a vivid picture of the action. Remove deadwood phrases from the story like: there were, there was, it was and replace the “to be” verb – was
Related Questions
- As a beginning writer, Im struggling with the opening chapter of my novel. Can you give any tips to make the opening easier?
- As a beginning writer, Im struggling with the opening chapter of a novel. Can you give any tips to make the opening easier?
- What are the most serious errors made by a beginning writer?
