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For first-time writers, a blank page can be both intimidating and inviting. Whether crafting a short story or a novel, aspiring authors need to be aware and avoid these common writing pitfalls. This blog aims to illuminate these literary hazards, offer practical advice to help you navigate your craft with confidence and sidestep the usual stumbling blocks that can impede your journey from aspiring writer to published author.
One common pitfall for new authors is beginning their story too slowly, overemphasizing background setup, character introductions, or world-building descriptions to the point of tedium. World-building and character development are essential, but avoid bogging down your book’s opening with excessive information and detail. You want to capture your reader’s attention right from the start with a hook, then gradually weave in details and context as the story unfolds. Your goal as a storyteller is to keep your audience engaged and invested in the world you’re creating.
When I first began writing, a mistake I made was overcomplicating the plot. It’s easy to get carried away by sudden ‘aha’ moments—those intriguing subplots or twists that seem perfect when they strike. However, adding too many layers can risk turning your narrative into a confusing, sprawling mess that’s hard for readers to follow and remain invested in. Don’t get me wrong – readers crave complexity and surprises. However, as a new writer, it’s like learning to swim: you’re still in the shallow end with floaties on. Work on building your storytelling skills before diving into the depths of intricate plots. The best way to do this is to focus on a clear, central conflict. What’s the primary challenge your character must overcome? What’s their purpose? By centering your story around this conflict, you provide a clear path for readers to follow and keep their interest afloat; you don’t want to drown them in confusion.
Speaking of conflict, without it, you have no story. This is a hard, fast, nonnegotiable rule in storytelling. Conflict serves as the driving force behind any compelling narrative, providing purpose, direction, and the ability to captivate your audience. These conflicts arise both internally, stemming from a character’s fears, flaws, and desires, and externally from outside forces such as an antagonist, society, or nature. By effectively incorporating and resolving these conflicts, a story will be engaging, and resonate with readers. A story without enough conflict feels flat, boring and uninviting.
Pacing is critical in storytelling, referring to the rate at which events unfold in your narrative. An imbalanced pace, whether too quick or too slow, can disrupt the story’s flow. To maintain a well-balanced pace, vary scene lengths, use dialogue effectively, manage detail and storyline amounts, and sustain tension and conflict to keep readers engaged without feeling rushed or bogged down.
A well-structured narrative arc is essential for avoiding common storytelling pitfalls like uneven pacing or a meandering plot. The three-act structure provides a tried-and-true framework for telling a captivating story. This framework helps ensure an engaging and coherent narrative that maintains audience interest from beginning to end. By carefully crafting each act, balancing character introduction, conflict development, and the eventual conclusion, you can create a satisfying reading experience.
Each literary genre caters to a specific audience with its own set of expectations in regard to unique tone, themes, and tropes that define that particular genre. New writers often make the mistake of ignoring the established conventions of their chosen genre, neglecting the audience’s expectations. Readers diving into a thriller expect heart-pounding suspense, high stakes, and plot twists that keep them on the edge of their seat, while fans of romance novels want a compelling love story with emotional depth and a happy ending. Sci-fi enthusiasts look for fresh ideas, captivating worlds, and deep themes that stimulate their imagination. Ignoring these expectations can lead to reader dissatisfaction which ultimately results in the loss of audience. And while it’s tempting to break away from conventions to be innovative, doing so can result in a confused narrative and disinterested readers.
A very common mistake new writers make is telling the reader what’s happening instead of showing them through descriptive language and action. It’s more engaging for readers when you demonstrate character emotions, motivations, and actions through vivid scenes and dialogue rather than just describing them. Go to your favorite novel and observe how the author uses descriptive language and character behavior to paint pictures with words, and how they engage your senses. Mastering the art of showing rather than telling will significantly elevate your work.
Ensure your characters maintain consistency in their actions, dialogue, and motivations throughout the story. Inconsistencies or contradictions in these areas can break a reader’s immersion and make characters feel inauthentic. If a character’s behavior changes drastically, provide clear reasons for the shift to maintain believability and coherence.
Even if your story has captivated readers from the first page, a weak ending can leave them feeling disappointed and unsatisfied, undoing all the hard work you've invested in crafting your narrative. The ending is not just a finish line; it's the culmination of everything that came before. It's the final impression you leave on your readers, the echo that resonates long after they've closed the book. Remember, a strong ending doesn't necessarily mean a happy one. A tragic or bittersweet ending can be just as powerful and satisfying if it feels authentic and true to the story you've told. By crafting an ending that provides closure, answers key questions, and resonates emotionally, you'll leave readers with a sense of fulfillment and a lasting appreciation for your story.
I’ve spoken in previous blogs on the importance of editing. It’s crucial that new writers understand their first draft will be subpar at best – little more than word-vomit. It’ll likely be disorganized with plot holes, lost structure, and pacing issues. Perfection doesn’t happen in the first draft; this is normal and to be expected, so don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t get discouraged. Be open to refining your first draft. Often new writers shy away from partial or full rewrites after spending months or years on their manuscript. If scenes or storylines don’t work, don’t try to force them for the sake of their existence and don’t be afraid of deleting content. Be bold and cut unnecessary sections to streamline your story.
One of the most significant hurdles new authors face is the temptation to abandon their writing journey prematurely. It’s essential to set realistic goals and accept that writing a novel takes time. Avoid comparing your process to that of others. The journey shouldn’t solely be an uphill battle. Balance your persistence with the joy and satisfaction of your creative process to maintain motivation and passion. Take a break from your writing if you need one, but don’t quit altogether!
Writing a novel isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon demanding persistence, dedication, and the courage to weather any storm. It’s a journey of discovery, with the first draft being just the first step. Embrace editing as an opportunity to refine your vision and view each challenge as a stepping stone to growth. Don’t let setbacks deter you. Keep writing, keep learning, and your story will find its way to the finish line.
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