Thursday 7 January 2016

Common Errors To Avoid When Writing A Novel

By Ronald Martin


There are very few good novels worth the price and time. The rest are horrible while other magnificent stories were never written because of fatal mistakes by authors. Experienced writers and experts have given their word on the errors to avoid when writing a novel to ensure that you produce a captivating title.

Many of the people with the most brilliant ideas on novels are waiting for a perfect moment to begin writing. This perfect moment is usually regarded as inspiration or a long holiday in a quiet place. This is a perfect way never to write. Writing takes decision, dedication and action. Commit to write a few paragraphs or lines every day. Always carry a notebook to record your thoughts and ideas. No one ever wrote out of a powerful and magical inspirational moment.

Looking over your shoulder ensures that nothing gets done. Looking back includes worrying about how good or bad your work will be. Focusing too much on the doubts creates fear which limits your creativity. To avoid these doubts you may choose to write whatever comes to mind for five non-stop minutes. The other trick is to brainstorm and pick the best idea. You may also consider the exercise of describing something in a page-long sentence.

Ignoring the advice given by experienced writers and publishers is a perfect way to fail. Like any other trade, writing has a set of rules to be followed. Understand these rules and later break them to create your own. Promising authors have gone further to disparage and insult the experienced ones. To succeed, you need to analyze the works of experienced writers and use their experience to become a better author.

Editors will always criticize your work and demand alterations. Successful authors have revised scripts tens of times. Do not view the demand to review as a personal attack. Take the setback, wallow for a few minutes and then work on the corrections. Improve your skills by taking criticism positively.

Focusing on the market will only make you a copy cat. Unsuccessful would-have-been writers analyze the works of renowned authors with the aim of copying their style and delivery. Understand that the industry is looking for a fresh voice. This cannot be delivered by an amateur hell-bent on copying. Read different materials and develop a unique voice that you will be identified by.

Shortcuts are an easy way never to write. The advent of self publishing and e-books has seen many writers ignore rules and run rogue. A book worth reading should be criticized by experts, not a group of social media followers who adore your photos or the one line status updates you make. A good novel should transcend generations, cultures and intellectual backgrounds.

Many would-have-been authors never made it because they quit. They could not handle the many hours, revisions, research and dedication required to produce a book. This is the best reason why many great ideas never become books.




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