Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Novel

By Ronald Martin


It is a painful experience and a total waste of time to read some novels. Others have never been written and only exist as ideas in the minds of would-have-been authors. The rewards of writing a novel can only be experienced when you avoid common errors as suggested by experts and writers who have produced tens of titles.

Most would-be writers are waiting for inspiration to pen down their first line. There is no perfect time to write. All you need is to get into the right state of mind. Decide to always write something. Always carry a note book. Pen down a few lines or paragraphs each day or dedicate a particular duration, e. G. 30 minutes to one hour every day or week. That is the only inspiration you need. Otherwise, no power will come from anywhere with a story and characters for you to transfer them to a paper.

Nothing will ever be done if you keep looking over your shoulders. This habit includes worries about how bad your work is compared to those of experienced authors or targeting to produce a best seller with your first title. The fear that emanates limits your creativity. Commit to write anything that comes to mind for five or ten continuous minutes, brainstorm and later pick the best idea or attempt to describe a scene, object, idea, etc in a full page. This will give you the confidence and push you desire.

Promising authors have imploded by ignoring and despising the advice given by experienced authors. The best approach is to understand the basic rules and later break them to develop your style. Arrogance manifested in insulting veterans and ignoring their advice will only lead to failure. The secret is to analyze the works of successful writers and craft your own based on your findings.

The work of editing committees and publishers is to critique your work. The best novels you have read were edited tens of times before publishing. To fail as a writer, you only need to take the corrections negatively or personally. Success comes from wallowing for a while and overcoming the setback to make corrections. The critique provided should help you improve on your craft.

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.

There are numerous shortcuts that have led many writers astray. They include the idea of self publishing and free-to-upload e-book platforms. This trend has bred arrogance as authors seek to bypass editors and publisher reviews. The cheer by friends and social media followers will not deliver a classic novel. A strict editing scrutiny ensures that your work appeals to generation, traditions and the intellectuals.

Quitting is one of the surest ways never to produce a book. The fainthearted and lazy cannot fit into the writing profession. It takes willingness to put long hours in order to produce a page or paragraph. The dream of instant success must be shelved. A good book takes numerous hours, dedication and research. This is too much work for lazy and fainthearted. This is why many beautiful stories have never been written.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment