Failing to consider the target audience is also a mistake. A novel aimed at a younger or more conservative readership should handle any sexual description very carefully. If not, it may lead to negative reactions and loss of readership.
Another mistake is not tying it to the story or the characters well. If the sex scene seems just thrown in for the sake of having one, without any real connection to the character development or the plot, it feels out of place. For instance, if a character has been shown as very shy and reserved throughout the story, and then suddenly has a very out - of - character overly sexual encounter.
A big mistake is having inconsistent or illogical world-building. The setting and rules of the fictional world should make sense and be consistent throughout. Another is using too much exposition or info-dumping, which can bog down the narrative and make it less engaging.
One common mistake is lack of communication. For example, if partners don't talk about their boundaries or preferences before, it can lead to an uncomfortable or 'disaster' situation. Say one person is into something and the other isn't, it can quickly go wrong.
One common mistake is misusing punctuation. For example, forgetting to put a comma before the closing quotation mark when using a speech tag like 'he said'. Another is overusing complex speech tags. Using too many different and elaborate verbs for 'said' can make the writing seem forced. Also, not staying in character with the speech. If a character is supposed to be a simple country - folk, but their speech is full of high - flown language, it's not believable.
One common mistake is not following the submission guidelines precisely. Publishers and agents often have specific requirements regarding formatting, word count, and what to include in the query letter. Another mistake is submitting a rough or unedited manuscript. It should be as polished as possible.
A big mistake when creating a character in a novel is making them a stereotype. Just having a typical jock or nerd character without adding any new twists or depth is dull. Lack of character arc is also an error. If a character doesn't change or grow throughout the story, there's no real development. And not considering the character's cultural and social background properly can lead to a character that feels out of place in the story's setting.
When submitting a web novel, a big mistake is not researching the target audience of the platform. If your novel doesn't fit the audience's taste, it may not get much attention. Additionally, some authors rush the submission process and don't double - check their work. This can lead to inconsistent chapter lengths or missing important elements like a proper title page. And a lack of a professional - looking cover can also be a turn - off for readers.
When rewriting a novel, avoid the mistake of not re - evaluating the characters' arcs. If the characters don't grow or change in a believable way during the story, the rewrite is not successful. Another error is not looking at the world - building. If the setting of the novel is important, but you don't improve or clarify it during the rewrite, it can leave the reader with a sense of confusion. Also, don't be too attached to your original writing. Sometimes you need to be willing to make big changes, and if you're not, the rewrite won't be as good as it could be.
One big mistake is starting with a confusing or overly complex plot. It can turn readers off right from the beginning.
Avoiding inconsistent pacing is crucial. Sometimes the story might move too fast or too slow, making the reading experience uneven. Also, not proofreading thoroughly for grammar and spelling errors can turn readers off.
Another mistake is creating flat characters. Readers need to be able to relate to or be interested in the characters. If they're one-dimensional, it can make the novel less engaging. Also, not editing thoroughly can lead to grammar and spelling errors that detract from the quality of the work.