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Guest Post: Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Book  by Lucy Adams

10/28/2016

42 Comments

 
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"I think that writers are made, not born or created out of dreams of childhood trauma—that becoming a writer (or a painter, actor, director, dancer, and so on) is a direct result of conscious will." – Stephen King.

I believe almost everyone had once tried writing. Well, if you did, the paper is just for you. If you didn’t, the paper is for you as well. Today, I’m going to share the most typical writing issues that prevent novice writers from becoming reputed pen wizards.

If you don’t agree or have something to add, feel free to share it in comments.

PART I: MISLEADING MINDSET

#1 Uncertain Position

How could you make the reader trust you if you don’t believe in what you say? The first common mistake of beginners is, oddly enough, their uncertainty. What’s the reason?

Currently, there are an incredible number of books on different subjects and for all tastes, so it’s quite challenging to cover something new that has never existed. Naturally, a novice writer hesitates whether it makes sense to try to bring to mankind if everything has long been written.

Well, that’s not true as every person is unique and has something to say to the world. Leave alone the f brilliant ideas of the past, think about the future! If you feel the need to share – do it, don’t hold yourself! Be sure, in case you worthy present your thoughts, you’ll be approved by the crowd.

#2 An Aspiring Writer is Confused and Does not Know What to Write About
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The second mistake comes from the first one. The problem of this kind often occurs because of the lack of experience in the field. Such a person may decide to wait for "better times," until he would gain the needed experience and be able to write.

Again, even a child has something to tell to the world. There’s no any boundaries – trust to your subconscious. Often, we do not represent what a storehouse keeps our brain and what incredible surprise can we do. Believe in yourself and be sure to try.

#3 Lack of Time
Actually, the lack of time is just an excuse that prevents the beginning of the development of any young writer. Of course, you can work all day and think about writing a book when you’ll take a vacation. Alas, but this doesn’t work.

To begin with, you have a very small chance to write something consistent at once. Please don’t think that all the popular writers were rich when they started writing. They just allocated some time for the lovely hobby that later turned into the main source of income. Moreover, writing requires training and practice. Believe me or not, that’s a kind of sport.

The solution is simple: write on a daily basis! Spend at list a half an hour writing. If you have nothing to write about, write down current thoughts and impressions. This will help to develop your writing skills and expand your imagination, perhaps.
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#4 Absence of Working Algorithm
The fourth mistake is that most young writers don’t have any plan. No matter how well self-organized you are, you do need a plan! Schedule your work and cover as much material as you have planned.
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#5 Greed
Never, never start writing just for money! Fame and money will come, but they shouldn’t be your original goals! A true writer gets pleasure from the creative process, and that’s the only way to create a true masterpiece.

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PART II: SPECIFIC WRITING MISTAKES

#1 Too Much Embellishment
Too many epithets, participles, and adverbs are one of the most typical mistakes of young writers. I have noticed that many novice writers, especially women, believe the more whimsical they write, the better the text. This is not true. Bulky descriptions spoil the perception of the text. What was the original thought? What the author is speaking about? Such an approach will tire readers out very and very fast.

Do not use allusions and associations that are clear only to you. The reader is not obliged to delve into the recesses of your perception of the world.

#2 Too Much Abstract Concepts
Eternity, infinity, the meaning of life, gods, Nirvana, etc – these philosophical retreats often consists of banal maxims and aphorisms. Some novice authors believe that these phases add some depth, importance, and philosophicity to the narrative.

In fact, pumping the book with arguments about the meaning of life and the essence of being will only show your inexperience and desire to hide the poverty of thought behind the unnecessary mist.

#3 The Substitution of Paragraphs with Personal Emotions and Flow of Consciousness
Inconsistent descriptions do not create a complete picture in the imagination of the reader, which impairs the perception of the text. Leaping from one thought to another, sometimes repeated, with an equally sudden return to the original idea, indicates the inability of the author to keep the narrative line.

#4 Inaccurately Chosen Words or Violation of Lexical Compatibility
It occurs in almost all texts of non-gurus. Sometimes authors use inappropriate words, trying to create a splendid metaphor.

Please choose the words with the closest match to what you want to say. By the way, the classics that had phenomenal skills many times changed words and sentences until they felt they produce more or less consistent chapter.

#5 Illogical Behavior of the Characters
In general, it happens all the time, regardless of the level of the writer. Characters do not behave as they should be in line with their temper, but as the author wants at the moment. Overusing with this trick may ultimately irritate the reader, so he can close the book.


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I hope these tips will help you to avoid the path of graphomania in the favor of becoming one of the most popular writers. Well, the key is that the writing should bring you pleasure and happiness. If you feel happy when writing, why do you need to care about the mistakes and the opinion of others?

Bio:
Lucy Adams is an essay writer from buzzessay.com. She loves blogging, traveling, communicating with new people and gaining new experiences. Lucy is a generalist who’s constantly open to fresh ideas. Feel free to share your list of topics and her choose the one for the research. By the way, blog posts are free.
42 Comments

New Book! Cover Reveal of Monster Island, A Young Adult Mystery Thriller

10/17/2016

19 Comments

 
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I have a really exciting announcement for you. Coming November 1st a new Young Adult action adventure mystery thriller will be available on Amazon. This book has to be one of the most exciting I've ever written. It is a page-turner like you wouldn't believe and I am very proud of it. Mark your calendars. Here's the blurb to peak your interest. 

MONSTER ISLAND PART ONE: TAKEN

My name is Lucca DiVitas. I woke up in a burlap sack in a dark shed, and outside someone is screaming.

In my pocket is a note: Pay for your sins.
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Escaping my bonds, I realize I’ve been kidnapped. Tall trees and snow-capped landscapes tell me I’m far from suburbia. And then there’s the ocean crashing angrily against the rocks. I’m on an island with no way of escape.

Rushing toward the screams, I find Kat Voss, a scared teen, who claims she’s running away from a “snake with arms.” I decide she’s in shock until we find cages large enough to fit the world’s most dangerous animals. The cages are open, and they’re empty.

We uncover more mysteries—an observation room with cameras, a bloody operating table, and a fully stocked torture chamber.

Then we realize we aren’t alone.

A voice over the loudspeakers begins directing us, like a guide on the world’s most sadistic tour. The voice tells us to smile for the cameras. Blood is good for business.

If we can’t figure out who is doing this and why, it’ll only be a matter of time before one of us, or ALL of us, ends up dead.

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Monster Island is a Young Adult high-intensity action thriller where the pages turn themselves. Readers who like LOST, Maze Runner, and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will pick up this story and not be able to put it down.

COMING NOVEMBER 1ST!




19 Comments
    Click here to be the first to know when my new books will be released. 
    Did you know Breeders 1, 2, and 3 are available on audio book? Get a 30 day free trial of Audible and listen to them for free! 

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    Katie French is the author of The Breeders, a Young Adult dystopian adventure and Eyes Ever to the Sky, a sci fi romance. Nessa: A Breeders Story, a prequel novelette is available on Amazon for FREE. Sign up for notifications, or like her on Facebook. 

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