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Wednesday 6 January 2016

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.

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.

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.

A sure way to scuttle your writing career is to consider the words of your editors and critiques as personal attacks. Regard it as an opportunity to improve. Wallow for a while and then get back to the keyboard. Learn from the critique and gradually improve on your work.

Targeting a best seller for profit and fame will only lead to failure. The problem with this approach is that you become a copy cat. The industry is thirsty for a fresh voice and ideas which cannot emanate from copying. Explore numerous materials and find a unique voice that will identify your brand.

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.

A sure way never to write a book is to quit. Writing is not a profession for the lazy, fainthearted and quitters. It is for a person willing to work long hours in order to produce a single paragraph. Those entering the industry with dreams of instant success are up for disappointment. Novels are as a result of long working hours, thorough research and dedication. Quitting is a path that many have taken and thus never let the world read their most beautiful stories.




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