7 Mistakes That Scream “Amateur Writer”

Summary

In this video, a seasoned developmental editor shares seven common mistakes amateur authors make in their novel manuscripts. These include failing to explore the protagonist's mind, inconsistent point of view, info dumping, refusing to 'kill your darlings,' writing weak scenes, neglecting the reader's experience, and skipping the revision process. The editor explains how these mistakes can harm a story and offers strategies for fixing them, including using reverse outlining, balancing action and narrative, and focusing on the reader's expectations. The video aims to guide authors towards creating stronger, more engaging stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure your protagonist's inner world is explored deeply to make them relatable and engaging to readers.
• 😀 Inconsistent point of view (POV), especially head hopping, can confuse readers and disrupt the narrative flow.
• 😀 Avoid info dumps, especially at the beginning of your novel, and instead weave backstory and exposition into scenes.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to kill your darlings—cut out scenes or characters that don't serve the main plot, no matter how much you like them.
• 😀 Each scene should include a balance of action, narrative, and dialogue to maintain pace and engagement.
• 😀 Writing with your reader in mind is essential, especially if you plan to publish. Understand the expectations of your genre.
• 😀 Revision is crucial—focus on fixing big picture issues before line editing. The real work happens in the revision phase.
• 😀 A manuscript that's all plot and no character interiority can leave readers emotionally disengaged and uninterested.
• 😀 POV should be consistent throughout the story, whether it’s first person, third person, or omniscient. Justify each POV choice.
• 😀 When editing, use reverse outlining to evaluate the structure and balance of your story before diving into smaller revisions.

Q & A

Why is it important to explore the protagonist’s mind in a novel?

Exploring the protagonist’s mind allows readers to connect emotionally with the character. It helps the reader understand the protagonist's motivations, emotional responses, and decision-making process, which is essential for engagement and empathy in the story.

What happens when a manuscript lacks sufficient interiority?

Without enough interiority, readers may fail to understand why a character is acting in a certain way or feel detached from their journey. This disconnect leads to disengagement and a lack of emotional investment in the story.

What is the difference between close third-person and omniscient narration?

Close third-person narration provides a limited perspective of one character’s thoughts and emotions, while omniscient narration offers a broader, god-like viewpoint, allowing insight into multiple characters’ minds and events beyond the protagonist’s perception.

How can inconsistent point of view (POV) affect a novel?

Inconsistent POV can confuse the reader, especially when perspectives shift abruptly without clear intent. It disrupts the flow of the story, causing disorientation, and can negatively impact reader engagement.

Why should authors avoid info dumping at the beginning of their novels?

Info dumping, especially at the start of a novel, overwhelms readers with unnecessary backstory, which can cause them to lose interest. Instead, authors should weave essential exposition naturally into the narrative, ensuring it feels relevant to the current action or character interactions.

What is meant by 'killing your darlings' in writing?

'Killing your darlings' refers to the process of cutting or revising scenes, characters, or subplots that you may be emotionally attached to, but which do not serve the core story. It helps streamline the narrative, focusing on what truly contributes to the plot.

What are the three key elements of a scene that every writer should balance?

The three key elements of a scene are action, narrative, and dialogue. Action describes what physically happens in the scene, narrative provides context and the protagonist's perspective, and dialogue reveals character relationships and interactions.

How can over-reliance on one element (action, narrative, or dialogue) weaken a scene?

If a scene relies too much on one element, it can feel one-dimensional or stagnant. For example, too much action without narrative or dialogue leaves the reader unsure of its significance, while excessive dialogue without action or narrative can become monotonous and lacking in context.

Why should authors consider their readers when thinking about publishing?

When aiming for publication, authors must consider their readers' expectations, as writing is both an art and a product. Understanding the genre and what readers expect from that genre helps ensure the story is engaging and aligns with market needs, whether self-published or traditionally published.

What is reverse outlining, and why is it important in the revision process?

Reverse outlining involves summarizing what happens in each scene after completing a draft. This technique helps authors identify structural issues, assess pacing, and ensure the plot and character arcs are balanced before delving into line editing and finer details.