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.
