Good writing should take the reader into a beautiful world, filled with imaginative creations and characters that seem as if they have a will of their own. However, there are sometimes elements to a book that brings the reader abruptly out of the story, thus compromising the quality of the book. It is these mistakes that authors must beware of and take steps to correct them before they get a bad reputation. Though there are many common writing problems that are often seen in the first books of authors, check out the most obvious ones here.

1. Telling and not showing

A big problem with story writing that is often encountered is authors merely tell you everything in flat terms. While this is not always a problem, it can be one when readers are met with an information overload instead of being allowed to come to a conclusion themselves. This is what distinguishes a good writer from a mediocre one. It is a thin line between the two and one that the writer must learn how to walk. It is always better to show what is happening in a narrative so that the readers can feel what is happening as if they were inside the story, rather than interested spectators on the outside.

2. Wall of words

One thing no reader wants to encounter is a wall of text which goes on and on. No matter how skillful your descriptions, how amazing your characterization and how awesome your plot, your reader will feel bombarded with words if you don’t give them some pause at regular intervals. Of course, paragraphs shouldn’t be of the same length and the purpose of a paragraph is not to evenly space out the text, but to make a transition from one point to the next. Break down your words into palatable morsels of text and your reader will ultimately find it easier to handle and more pleasurable in the long run.

3. Endless repetitions

Repetitions can be done in two ways. One is the overuse of some favored words that you don’t even know you are using extensively. Words like ‘really’ and ‘very’ often fall into this category. While this is technically not a fault, it makes for trite writing. You can find more creative ways to express your meaning without having to resort to the same words again and again. Another kind of repetition is when the author says the same things again and again in different words, and sometimes, even the same words. This doesn’t help take the narrative forward and becomes boring for the reader. The solution for this would be to show the same thing through events and plots and edit out the extraneous material.

4. Identifiable pronouns

A pronoun is described as the word that takes the place of the noun. In short, a pronoun is used instead of the noun to avoid referring to the subject every single time. The purpose of a pronoun is to indicate the subject. Now, if your pronouns are not doing that, then you are not using them correctly. In some books, it becomes very hard to understand what or whom the author is referring to when they are talking about it. This is sloppy writing and disrespectful to the reader. Make sure you are very clear about what or whom you are referring to in your writing, unless you think the context should be sufficient to make it clear for everyone.

5. Using clichés

When something has been used often and long enough, it attains the hallowed position of a cliché. Clichés can be very useful at times, making it easier for people to relate to what you are trying to convey. But too much of clichés, either in your phrasing or in your story-telling, doesn’t make for a good finished product. It makes the reader feel that they aren’t reading anything original and all of this has been done before. It is not a new experience for the reader, which every book ought to bring. So kill the used to death phrases. Avoid the oft-used tropes that have become a defining mark of the genre. Rise above the mundane and write something genuinely fresh and untouched. Your readers will appreciate your efforts.

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Kavitha is a freelance content writer and French translator, and has been working in this field since 2008. She has degrees in computer applications and international business and has a background in business and international trade. She enjoys learning languages and is currently learning Japanese. Her interests vary from books and writing to travelling and history.