What not to do when writing a novel?

15 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Novel
  1. Don't write sporadically. ...
  2. Don't ignore story structure. ...
  3. Don't second guess yourself. ...
  4. Don't abandon your first novel. ...
  5. Don't pigeon-hole your process. ...
  6. Don't start off slow. ...
  7. Don't switch POV. ...
  8. Don't create flat characters.


What are the things to avoid while writing a story?

Nine Common Fiction Writing Mistakes
  • Beginning the story too early. Many writers start their stories before the interesting part. ...
  • Leaving out the plot. ...
  • Letting the characters off too easily. ...
  • Being unwilling to make things up. ...
  • Muddying point of view. ...
  • Rushing. ...
  • Using incorrect format. ...
  • Playing it safe.


What makes a book badly written?

Sometimes a book is labelled “badly written” because it's too descriptive, too “flowery.” Other books get the same label for being to-the-point, not poetic enough. It's badly written because it has too much dialogue. Or the dialogue doesn't sound like how you and your friends talk. It's too hard to follow.


What are the 7 rules of writing?

Since then, I've learned a few tricks that work for me and may help you too, though everyone's writing experience is different.
...
The Seven Rules of Writing
  • Learn How to Write. ...
  • Be a Critical Reader. ...
  • Visit Cafes. ...
  • Beware the Naysayers. ...
  • Finish Your Piece and Put It Away. ...
  • Have Patience. ...
  • Follow Your Heart.


What are the rules for writing a novel?

The 10 Rules of Writing a Good Novel
  • Read voraciously. Writers are shaped by other writers. ...
  • Make checklists of details. ...
  • Develop good habits. ...
  • Use your limited time wisely. ...
  • Build a relationship with an editor. ...
  • Don't stress your first draft. ...
  • Seek out surprises in the second draft. ...
  • Start with characters.


Common New Writer Mistakes: 13 Writing Mistakes to Avoid! | iWriterly



What are the 5 writing rules?

Here are five writing rules to be a better writer:
  • Don't judge the first draft. ...
  • Keep it simple. ...
  • Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly. ...
  • Always get an outside edit. ...
  • Break writing rules with intention.


How many pages a day should a novel be written?

A good goal for many professional writers is to turn out five to ten pages a day during a four or five day work week. On average, a page equals 250 words set in 12 point Times New Roman.

What is the golden rule of actual writing?

What is my Golden Rule of Writing? It's this: Intend every word you write. Be aware of what your words mean, and make sure that the meaning aligns with what you are trying to say.


What is the 100 rule in writing?

The 100% Rule is a simple, one-second decision with profound effects on the rest of your life. Once you accept a certain path, all future decisions are made. If you decide to be a daily writer, then you write daily. You don't write 98% of the days.

What are the 4 basics of good writing?

The 4 Principles of Effective Writing
  • Make It Short. Of the 4 principles of good writing, this one is the most important. ...
  • Make It Simple. Simple is very similar to short, but not the same thing. ...
  • Make It Direct. ...
  • Make It About the Reader.


What is the hardest genre to write?

Comedy. Comedy is generally considered the hardest of all the genres to write. The problem is that it's so subjective. Just because you say funny things to your mates down the pub, doesn't mean you can write funny things down and they'll still be funny on paper.


What is a common mistake for writers?

1. Wrong Word. Wrong word errors take a number of forms. They may convey a slightly different meaning than you intend (compose instead of comprise) or a completely wrong meaning (prevaricate instead of procrastinate).

What do most writers struggle with?

Attention Problem
  • difficulty getting started on writing assignments.
  • easy distractibility during writing tasks.
  • mental fatigue or tiredness while writing.
  • inconsistent legibility in writing.
  • uneven writing tempo.
  • many careless errors.
  • poorly planned papers and reports.


Do and don'ts of story writing?

Do's
  • Start small. ...
  • Look for a fiction writing class and/or a writer's group in your area. ...
  • Write things down. ...
  • Try to write something every day, even if it's just a few paragraphs. ...
  • Take advice from other authors. ...
  • Don't let your day job get in the way. ...
  • Don't fall in love with your words. ...
  • Don't keep your work hidden away.


What is the hardest part of a story to write?

Your new novel is progressing nicely. Perhaps you're 30,000 or 40,000 words in — far enough along to establish a rhythm. You have a clear idea of how the story ends and you're excited to take the journey that will get you (and your characters) to the big finish.

Do and don'ts of good writing?

The Dos and Don'ts of Writing
  • Do follow a strict writing schedule. ...
  • Do learn grammar, punctuation and important rules of writing. ...
  • Do limit your use of exclamation marks and ellipsis.
  • Do learn from other authors. ...
  • Do make author friends. ...
  • Do write things down. ...
  • Don't be afraid to ask for help.


What is the 80/20 rule in writing?

It's easy to think of content writing as purely a writing task. But in actuality, almost 80% of the time it takes to create content involves everything but writing, including ideation, research, formatting, editing, and marketing/promoting. Only 20% is spent writing.


How long should 500 words take to write?

Writing 500 words will take about 12.5 minutes for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 25 minutes for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 1.7 hours.

Is writing 100 words an hour slow?

Writers' speeds vary … a lot. Some writers would consider 100 words an hour to be a perfectly productive rate. Others would be disappointed by 1,000 words an hour.

What are the 10 rules of creative writing?

Looking for a Career in Creative writing? Here's all you need to know
  • Think carefully about what you want to write.
  • Remember, a story has a beginning, a middle and an end.
  • Work on one thing at a time until finished.
  • Use interesting verbs.
  • Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.


What is the first rule of good writing?

1. Express, not impress. Good writing is not about the number of words you've produced, the quality of the adjectives you've written or the size of your font–it's about the number of lives you've touched! It's whether or not your reader understands you.

What is rule No 6 in creative writing?

Another way of saying this: Chase your character up a tree, and then throw rocks at him. Think for a moment of the horrible situations through which your favorite characters suffer.

How long should a first novel be?

If you're writing your first novel, the general rule of thumb for novel writing is a word count in the 80,000 to 100,000 range. While anything over 40,000 words can fall into the novel category, 50,000 is considered the minimum novel length. Anything over 110,000 words is considered too long for a fiction novel.


How long should a first draft of a novel be?

Writing your first draft. In On Writing, Stephen King says, “I believe the first draft of a book – even a long one – should take no more than three months, the length of a season. Any longer and – for me, at least – the story begins to take on an odd foreign feel.”

How long does Stephen King write a day?

Stephen King: 2000 Words

In his memoir, King says it's best to write a minimum of 2000 words a day to avoid “the smooch of death.” “Read and write four to six hours a day. If you cannot find the time for that, you can't expect to become a good writer.”