1. Overdoing symbolism or themes. Let them speak for themselves. Don’t hit your reader over the head with them. Your theme doesn’t need to be underscored in very chapter or by every character.
2. Trying too hard. You’re writing a book. You want the readers to be hooked by the plot and the characters, not having to stop and look up a dictionary to find out what words mean.
3. Plot flaws. Every scene should move the story forward. There needs to be a reason for it and the reader needs to be able to understand that reason. On the other hand, if a particular item is going to be needed later in the book, make sure you’ve already mentioned it earlier. Don’t let it just magically appear in the nick of time.
4. Hook not gimmick. Your opening hook should not just be a gimmick. It should be an intrinsic part of the story.
5. Don’t hide key information from the readers hoping to create suspense. They need to understand what’s happening to remain interested in the book.
Helen Woodall
helen.woodall@gmail.com
Helen is available to line edit and/ or content edit fiction and non-fiction. Rates on application.
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