The Art of Storytelling: How to Avoid Five Common Pitfalls

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

Storytelling is the most engaging form of communication for writers. Why? Because everyone loves a good story. Additionally, authors of well-written stories are more than likely to gain loyal readers. However, writers should be mindful of the mistakes that can detract from the overall quality and impact of their stories. 

The following are the most common pitfalls writers should avoid, especiallly when writing fiction:

1. Overly Complicated Plotting

Have you ever read a book with multiple characters, and the story contained a plot for each character? It's easy for readers to get lost and lose interest in a complicated story. So, avoid overwhelming readers with excessive information or backstories of all the characters. Focus on your main characters and add essential details of other characters when they become relevant to the story.

2. Overuse of Adverbs and Adjectives

Writing a story that readers enjoy involves using descriptive language. However, writers frequently overuse adverbs and adjectives to describe nouns and verbs. For instance, writers commonly use an adverb to modify the verb "said," such as "he said, loudly," "she said, smiling," or "he said, laughing." The overuse of adverbs can weaken a story. Similarly, the overuse of adjectives (for instance, "the very big, scary monster) can weigh down and slow the pace of a story, causing readers to become bored and lose interest in the narrative. 

In a letter to one of his students, Mark Twain advised: 

When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them—then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart.

So, opt for stronger verbs and precise nouns in your story.

3. Writing Flat Characters

Characters who lack depth and complexity can make a story feel one-dimensional. Kelly Abell, an international bestselling author, advises writers to avoid giving readers "Flat Stanley," a character her daughter created for an elementary school project. Abell said her daughter mailed a paper cutout of Stanley to Abell's sister, who had to take pictures of herself with the character at different tourist attractions. Abell writes:

My point in telling you all this? Don’t give your readers a Flat Stanley. Write three-dimensional characters. Readers abhor lifeless, dull, and boring. They want to know what makes your character tick.

Give your characters goals and flaws, and let them have secrets and internal conflicts, to make them more relatable and interesting.

4. Lack of conflict

Stories thrive on conflict and tension. Avoid writing stories where everything goes perfectly for the characters, and do just the opposite: Embrace conflict. In "How to Tell a Story Effectively: 7 Storytelling Tips" an article on the streaming platform, "Masterclass," offers the following insight:

As a storyteller, you can’t shy away from conflict. Great storytellers craft narratives that have all sorts of obstacles and hardships strewn in the path of their protagonists. In order to be satisfied with a happy ending, audiences have to watch the main characters struggle to achieve their goals. It’s okay to be cruel to your main characters—in fact, it’s necessary. Compelling plots are built on conflict, and it’s imperative that you embrace conflict and drama in order to become a better storyteller.

If you want to write a compelling story, your characters should face challenges and obstacles.

5. Telling Rather Than Showing 

Telling a story to readers instead of showing them what's happening is a common mistake of new writers. A quote by Anton Chekhov illustrates this point: 

Don't tell me the moon is shining. Show me the glint of light on broken glass.

Show readers what's happening or what characters are feeling through actions, dialogue, and sensory details. Let readers experience the story firsthand.

Remember that storytelling is an art, and the rules can be bent or broken creatively when done with purpose. However, this takes time and practice to master. But, it's well worth it. Learning from your mistakes and continually honing your storytelling skills is essential to becoming a better writer.

Do you need help in crafting your story or would you like more information about book publishing? Then contact MarketingnewAuthors.com at info@marketingnewauthors.com. We are here to help.