One common mistake is not staying true to the characters' personalities. Fans know the characters well, so if you make them act out of character, it can be off - putting. Another mistake is ignoring the rules of the original world. For example, if there are certain magic limitations in a fantasy world, don't break them without a good explanation. Also, poor grammar and spelling can make your fanfiction hard to read. So, always proofread your work.
A big mistake is plagiarizing. While you're writing fanfiction, it should be your own creative take on the existing work, not just copying someone else's ideas. Additionally, some people rush into writing without a clear plot. This can lead to a disjointed and confusing story. Another error is overusing clichés. Try to come up with fresh ideas and avoid the typical tropes all the time. And don't forget to respect the copyright of the original work while creating your fanfiction.
When sudowriting fanfiction, avoid making the story too self - indulgent. It should be something that other fans can also enjoy, not just a personal fantasy that only makes sense to you. Another mistake is not considering the target audience. If it's for a younger audience, keep the content appropriate. Also, inconsistent world - building is a no - no. If you start with a certain set of rules for your fictional world, stick to them throughout the story. And don't underestimate the power of editing. A hastily written and unedited fanfiction won't be as good as one that has been carefully polished.
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 common mistake is ending too abruptly. It can leave the readers feeling unsatisfied. For example, if you're writing a long adventure story and suddenly end it without resolving the main conflict, it's not good.
Avoid creating flat characters. Give them depth, motivations, and flaws to make them relatable and interesting. Also, don't have too many characters that confuse the reader.
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.
Don't rush the plot. Make sure it unfolds naturally and keeps the readers engaged.
One big no-no is having a weak plot. A story needs a clear beginning, middle, and end that makes sense and keeps the reader engaged.
Avoid making your characters one-dimensional. Give them depth and complexity so readers can relate to them. Also, don't rush the ending. Let it unfold naturally.
Avoid ending a short story too abruptly. For example, if you've built up a complex plot and then just stop without any real resolution, it will leave the reader feeling cheated. It's like you've been leading them on a journey and then suddenly cut it short without reaching the destination.
One common mistake is not following the submission guidelines precisely. Publishers and agents have specific requirements for formatting, word count, etc., and not adhering to them can get your submission rejected right away. Another mistake is having a weak query letter. It should be engaging and clearly convey what your novel is about.