Early Writing Blunders to Avoid for Novice Scribes (Avoiding Similar Errors for You)
Smashing those shackles of mediocre storytelling, huh? Good for you! Here's the skinny on the most egregious, beginner writer pitfalls and how to spin them golden:
Grievous Novel Writing Goofs and How to correct 'em:
Sin 1: Your yarn lacks a solid, spine-tingling plot
- Oopsie! Begun with one zany idea, either a character or an event, and dove into the abyss without a plan.
- The Fix: Get strategic, buddy! Deploy some of my stellar outlining methods to map out your tale before you even pick up your pen. And don't forget all about good ol' cause and effect; your events ain't got a reason to exist without it!
Sin 2: Opening with snooze-worthy wake-ups
- Whoopsie! Started off with an alarm clock beeping, routine morning nonsense ensues.
- The Fix: Drop your readers smack dab into the action! Keep starting as late as possible and putting an end to your yarn as soon as possible. Ain't nobody got time for 'mornin' routines, go go go!
Sin 3: No tension, no story
- Oops! Neglected to create lotsa mini conflicts throughout your magnum opus.
- The Fix: Compile your conflict gems during brainstorming and deploy 'em wisely to keep your audience begging for more! Your yarn needs conflict akin to the breaths we take; constant and life-giving.
Sin 4: Flimsy stakes; up the ante!
- Womp womp! Your yarn fails to snag the reader, couldn't care less about what happens.
- The Fix: Figure out what's on the line for your Protagonist if they can't win the day! What's at stake? A dangling bling? A fame-filled victory? The very survival of her family? Make your flock's hearts race with the intensity of your story!
Sin 5: Packing filler scenes like clown cars
- Eeks! Wrote a diversionary scene that leaves your readers all "whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"
- The Fix: For each scene, ask yourself: "Do I really need this Distractionville in my yarn? Is it worthwhile or just filler fluff?" If it ain't dancing with the plot, cull that mofo!
Sin 6: Ho-hopping your P.O.V. like a crackhead on rolled gold
- What the eff's? Switched perspective mid-yawn-worthy scene like a spin-head on a rollercoaster.
- The Fix: Slap some restraints on your perspective! Choose a style and stick to it! Readers want focus, not a pin-ball with a split personality!
Sin 7: Characters as dull as a walnut with beige fillings
- Yawn. Created characters so ordinary they even trigger a catatonic state.
- The Fix: Amplify your hero's traits! Make them zany, dark, or just plain deadly. Simplify the opposition with some light-as-white-fluffy-snow nuances. Your yarn will be like a rollercoaster ride through a corn maze – crazy fun!
Sin 8: No change equal no juice
- Zzz's galore. Your tale's as static as a soulless waxwork.
- The Fix: Dive back into your yarn and find each scene's spark! Scenes that change something, show growth, or drop a twist should be your goal! Your readers want a transformational tale that leaves 'em refreshed and enlightened!
Done with Beginner's Blunders?
If you're yearning to craft a spellbinding story, I've got some delectable literary tools to make your journey a smidgen easier. Give 'em a gander:
- Compelling Conflict Ideas: Oh, look, over yonder, a plethora of conflict gems to dazzle your readers! Follow this link to Clashville!
- Troublemaker Method: Ready to make trouble & find your plot's missing links? Find your treasure right here!
- Protagonist Workbook: Desperate to create gob-smacking characters that'll make the heavens sing? Burrow yonder (you'll find this tool at my Etsy shop, Writer Lifestyle)!
Happy spinning! Keep the flock enthralled as you scrawl your wondrous stories! Don't forget to shake things up! Life (and stories) are meant to be exciting, after all! 😉
- To avoid the mistake of having a weak plot in creative writing, consider implementing structured outlining methods before starting to write, ensuring a solid foundation for your story, and always remember to establish a reason for events through cause and effect.
- Instead of opening a story with mundane morning routines, captivate readers by diving straight into the action, starting your narrative as late as possible and ending it as soon as the story warrants.
- To maintain tension throughout your creative writing, deliberately insert mini-conflicts during the brainstorming process and strategically weave them into the text to keep your audience engaged.
- Give your story depth by identifying the integral stakes for your protagonist, elevating their traits to create memorable characters, and using contrast in opposition characters to enhance the overall narrative.
- Improve your writing process by questioning the necessity of each scene, ensuring that it contributes meaningfully to the plot and removing any extraneous filler material that detracts from the flow.
- For a stronger writing style, maintain consistency in the point of view and develop a clear, focused narrative perspective that resonates with your audience.
- To enrich your creative writing, make use of resources like the Protagonist Workbook, available in my Etsy shop, Writer Lifestyle, to help you develop memorable, engaging characters.
- To emphasize change and growth within your story, carefully assess each scene for its potential to trigger transformative moments, revealing character development, dynamic arcs, and unexpected twists for your readers' enjoyment.
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