#125: Novel Writing Pitfalls: Don't Make These 5 Mistakes
Jan 16, 2024
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Explore the most common mistakes made in novel writing, including prioritizing prose over story, self-doubt, and following every writing method. Emphasize the importance of cohesion and selecting preferred writing approaches. Break down the writing process, seek guidance, and take action to avoid pitfalls.
Crafting a compelling story is more important than focusing on beautiful prose.
Embrace the messiness of the first draft and focus on getting the story down.
Deep dives
Crafting a Compelling Story
Mistake #1 is believing that you have to write the most beautiful prose to capture readers' attention. The key is to focus on crafting a compelling story first and then worry about polishing the prose later. It is more important to have a solid story with engaging characters and a well-structured plot that resonates with readers.
Embracing the Messy First Draft
Mistake #2 is believing that you can write a perfect first draft if you do enough research, planning, or outlining beforehand. The truth is that a first draft serves as a discovery phase where you explore your story and get it out of your head. Embrace the messiness of this draft and focus on getting the story down. Revision and refinement can come later.
Focusing on Story Genre and Framework
Mistake #3 is thinking that you need a fully formed, completely original story idea before you start writing. Instead, identify your story's main content genre, as it provides a framework that helps you flesh out your idea. This genre helps you understand the protagonist's goals, conflicts, and emotional journey and guides the development of key elements in your narrative.
“ The purpose of a first draft is not to come up with something that's perfect. Instead, the purpose is to explore your story and get it out of your head.” - Savannah Gilbo
Transform your writing as I reveal 5 all-too-common mistakes that plague writers. Learn the savvy strategies to sidestep these blunders and discover my top-notch tips for rectifying them if you've already fallen prey.
[01:20] Having gratitude for every mistake encountered and acknowledging that they served as valuable lessons. The repetition of these errors helped Savannah develop numerous solutions, contributing to her growth as a writer, editor, and book coach
[05:38] The essence of a story lies in how external events impact someone striving for a challenging goal and the subsequent transformation they undergo. The narrative's power lies in the underlying story, not just the eloquence of words. Without a compelling story, the manuscript lacks substance.
[11:07] Common worries and self-doubt faced by writers often revolve around questioning one's capability and self-worth. Shift to tackling these concerns by identifying the content genre of the story, offering a pathway to navigate and overcome these common anxieties in writing.
[17:53] Advice to choose one or two writing methods that resonate with writers and focus on them. Whether it's scene structure or character development, selecting a preferred approach like scene and sequel or goal-motivation-conflict is encouraged.