Common mistakes made by self-publishing authors

A Badman Publishing Guide for Members

Introduction

Authors can easily, through lack of knowledge and inexperience, stumble because of common yet avoidable mistakes. Whether you’re working on your first novel or you have written several, understanding these potential pitfalls may dramatically improve your writing.

1. Weak character development

Creating compelling characters is at the heart of great storytelling. Many authors, even talented ones, sometimes fall short in this crucial area. Weak characters can make an otherwise interesting plot fall flat. Here are some ideas you can use to develop strong and interesting characters. 

• Give them clear motivations: What drives them? What do they want or need?
• Create internal conflicts: What personal struggles are they dealing with?
• Develop unique voices: Each character should have their own way of speaking and thinking.
• Show realistic growth: Characters should evolve throughout the story, learning and changing from their experiences.

Readers connect with characters who feel real and multidimensional. Take the time to flesh out your characters’ backgrounds, quirks, and relationships, it will be worth it.

2. Overusing Adverbs

Adverbs, those words ending in “ly,” can sometimes be an unintended crutch for inexperienced writers. While they’re not inherently bad, overusing adverbs can lead to weak writing.
Instead of relying on adverbs:

• Choose stronger verbs: “He sprinted” instead of “He ran quickly.”
• Use descriptive actions: “He slammed the door” rather than “He closed the door angrily.”
• Let dialogue and context convey emotion: ‘I hate you!’ she screamed” is more effective than, “she said angrily.”

By reducing the number of adverbs used your writing becomes more vivid and impactful.

3. Telling Instead of Showing

“Show, don’t tell” is a fundamental principle of good writing. Telling the reader about events or emotions can create distance while showing immerses them in the story. To “show” more effectively, look at these examples:

• Use sensory details: Describe what the characters see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
• Employ action and dialogue: Let characters’ actions and words reveal their emotions and personalities.
• Create vivid scenes: Paint a picture with your words instead of summarizing events.

For example, instead of saying “The room was messy,” you might write, “Clothes spilled from the overstuffed dresser, books teetered in precarious stacks on every surface, and the air hung heavy with the scent of last night’s takeaway.”

4. Using an inconsistent point of view (POV)

Point of view (POV) is the perspective from which your story is told. Inconsistency in POV can jar readers out of the narrative. In order to maintain a consistent POV:

• Choose your perspective wisely: First-person, third-person limited, or omniscient?
• Stick to your choice: If you’re writing in the first person, don’t suddenly switch to the third.
• Be careful with multiple POVs: If using multiple perspectives, clearly delineate switches, perhaps with chapter breaks.
• Watch for accidental shifts between perspectives: In third person limited, don’t suddenly reveal the thoughts of characters other than your POV character.

Mastering the POV takes practice, but it’s crucial for a smooth reading experience.

5. Neglecting Editing and Revisions

Many new writers believe their first draft should be perfect. In reality, great writing often emerges through multiple revisions. Effective editing involves:

• Taking a break before revising: Get some distance from your work.
• Reading your work aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and pacing issues.
• Cutting ruthlessly: If a scene, paragraph, or even a beloved line doesn’t serve the story, be prepared to cut it.
• Getting feedback: Beta readers or writing groups can provide valuable insights.
• Professional editing: Consider hiring an editor for a polished final product.

| “Editing is where good writing becomes great writing.”

6. Dialogue doesn’t sound natural

Realistic dialogue can bring your characters to life, while stilted conversation can make them feel artificial. To improve dialogue:

• Listen to how people actually talk: Notice the rhythm, any interruptions, hesitations and colloquialisms.
• Give each character a unique voice: Consider their background, education, attitude, view on life, and personality.
• Use dialogue to reveal characters and advance the plot: Avoid small talk unless it serves a purpose.
• Don’t overuse dialogue tags: “Said” is often sufficient. Let the dialogue itself convey emotion.
• Break up long speeches: In real life, conversations are usually back-and-forth exchanges.

Practice by politely eavesdropping in public spaces to get a feel for natural conversation.

7. Lack of Conflict

Conflict is the engine that drives a story forward. Without it, even the most beautifully written prose can feel pointless. To create meaningful conflict:

• Identify your character’s goals: What do they want?
• Create obstacles: What’s standing in their way?
• Develop both external and internal conflicts: Combine outer challenges with inner struggles.
• Raise the stakes: Make the consequences of failure significant.
• Avoid easy resolutions: Let your characters struggle and grow through conflict.

Remember, conflict doesn’t always mean physical danger. It can be emotional, ethical, or interpersonal.

8. Information overload

Information overload, AKA “Data Deluge”, “Content Saturation”, “Fact Flooding”, occurs when an author drops large chunks of background information or world-building details all at once, overwhelming the reader. This is how you can avoid this happening…

• Reveal information gradually: Spread out necessary details throughout the story.
• Make exposition active: Reveal information through dialogue, action, or a character’s observations.
• Use the “iceberg principle”: Show only the tip, implying a larger world beneath.
• Trust your readers: They don’t need to know everything immediately. Let some mystery linger.

Skilful world-building and backstory revelation can keep readers intrigued without overwhelming them.

9. Ignoring Pacing

Good pacing keeps readers engaged, balancing moments of high tension with periods of reflection or lighter scenes. To improve pacing:

• Vary sentence and paragraph length: Short, punchy sentences can increase tension, while longer ones can slow things down.
• Balance action, dialogue, and description: Too much of any one element can become monotonous.
• Use chapter breaks effectively: Consider ending chapters on mini cliffhangers to keep readers turning pages.
• Understand your genre’s expectations: A thriller will have a different pacing than a literary novel.
• Create a narrative arc: Ensure your story has a clear beginning, rising action, climax, and resolution.

Remember, good pacing is about rhythm and flow, keeping readers invested throughout the story.

10. Comparing Yourself to Others

It’s natural to look at successful authors and feel inadequate, but this comparison can be detrimental to your writing journey. Instead of comparing yourself to others:

• Focus on your unique voice: Your perspective and style are valuable.
• Set personal goals: Measure your progress against your own past work.
• Learn from others: Study successful authors, but don’t try to be them.
• Remember everyone’s journey is different: Some authors find success early, others later in life.
• Celebrate small victories: Finishing a chapter, getting positive feedback, or simply writing regularly are all achievements.

Your writing journey is your own. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

Pro tips for writing improvement

To elevate your writing:

• Read extensively in your genre: Understand conventions and push boundaries.
• Join writing workshops or groups: Feedback and community support are invaluable.
• Accept constructive criticism: Learn to separate yourself from your work and use feedback to improve.
• Practice consistently: Set a writing schedule and stick to it.
• Study the craft of writing: Read books on writing, attend conferences, or take classes.

Remember, becoming a great writer is a continuous journey of learning and improvement. Use these lessons, keep practicing, and watch your writing improve over time.