One common mistake is starting with too much backstory. For example, 'I grew up in a small town where nothing much happened. I went to school, had some friends, and then...' This can bore the reader right away. Keep it concise at the start.
Avoid being too passive. Don't say something like 'I was made to go to the party.' Instead, be more active, such as 'I reluctantly dragged myself to the party.' Also, don't start with a cliché. Things like 'I woke up one day and my life changed forever' are overused. Try to come up with something more original. For example, 'I stared at the ceiling, feeling like my life was a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece, and that's when everything started to shift.'
One common mistake is over - using the word 'I'. It can become repetitive and annoying. Another is having an inconsistent voice. The character's personality should be consistent throughout the story. Also, not making the character believable. If the character's actions or thoughts don't seem real, it ruins the story. For example, if a shy character suddenly becomes super confident without any reason, it's not good.
One common mistake is over - explaining. Don't tell the reader every single thought. Let them figure some things out. Another is having an inconsistent voice. If your narrator is supposed to be a shy person, they can't suddenly be super confident. Also, avoid using too many clichés. Instead of 'it was a dark and stormy night', be more creative. And don't make the story too long - it's a short story after all.
A big mistake is not establishing the narrator's personality clearly enough. The reader should have a good sense of who the narrator is from the start. Also, not paying attention to the pacing. If the story moves too quickly or too slowly, it can lose the reader's interest. And don't forget about the setting. In a first - person story, the narrator's perception of the setting is important, so describe it in a way that fits the character. For example, a detective might notice details that an ordinary person would miss.
One common mistake is making the monolouge too self - indulgent. It should serve the story and the character development, not just be a random rant. Another mistake is inconsistent voice. If your character is a simple - minded farmer, don't use overly complex vocabulary in their monolouge. Also, avoid over - explaining. Let the reader figure some things out on their own through the character's thoughts.
Avoid sending your story without proper proofreading. Spelling and grammar mistakes can be a big turn - off. Also, don't submit to a publisher without researching what they publish. You don't want to send a science - fiction story to a publisher that only focuses on romance. And don't forget to keep a copy of your story. You never know what might happen during the submission process.
One common mistake is over - using the 'I' pronoun. It can make the story seem self - centered. Another is not developing the protagonist's character enough. They end up being flat. Also, inconsistent voice. If the protagonist is supposed to be a young girl, but the language used is too sophisticated, it doesn't work.
A big mistake is when the dialogue doesn't match the character's background or personality. For example, if your character is from a poor rural area but uses very sophisticated language all the time. And some writers make the dialogue too long - winded. It should be concise and to the point, especially if the character is in a tense situation. Also, forgetting to add emotions or subtext to the dialogue can make it seem flat.
Don't make the plot too confusing or hard to follow. Keep it simple and engaging.
One common mistake is having too many characters. It can get confusing for the reader. Another is a weak plot. Make sure there is a real conflict and a resolution. Also, avoid using overly complicated language just for the sake of it. Simple and clear is often better. And don't forget to proofread for spelling and grammar errors.
One common mistake is not having a clear plot. If your story meanders without a clear direction, readers will get lost. Another is creating flat characters. They should have depth and complexity. Also, overusing clichés can make your novel seem unoriginal.