There was a thread like this many moons ago, and I'd sure love to do another one, updated with everyone having developed their skills even more and new authors joining the Writer's Cafe every week... Last time I learned a lot about mistakes my editors weren't catching that were also things I was doing, for example, not going nuts with adverbs (I still use them, just not as much), repetitive word usage, etc.
What are the common mistakes you make as a writer in your writing? Here are some of mine (add yours if you want!):
1. Biggest one: repetitive word usage. This means, using the same word or root word over and over in the same paragraph or sometimes even in the same sentence. Exaggerated example: "He looked at what she was looking at, and it looked scary."
2. Using the phrases "began to" or "started to". Most times it should be left out. ex: "He started to run." vs. "He ran."
3. Overuse of passive voice
4. Forgetting commas before a person's name, when they're addressed in dialogue. ex: "What do you think, Bob?"
5. Too much "turned" or "shrugged" or "rolled her eyes"
Anyone else have some I should be watching out for?
What are the common mistakes you make as a writer in your writing? Here are some of mine (add yours if you want!):
1. Biggest one: repetitive word usage. This means, using the same word or root word over and over in the same paragraph or sometimes even in the same sentence. Exaggerated example: "He looked at what she was looking at, and it looked scary."
2. Using the phrases "began to" or "started to". Most times it should be left out. ex: "He started to run." vs. "He ran."
3. Overuse of passive voice
4. Forgetting commas before a person's name, when they're addressed in dialogue. ex: "What do you think, Bob?"
5. Too much "turned" or "shrugged" or "rolled her eyes"
Anyone else have some I should be watching out for?