After working with writers for the last 15 + years, I’ve seen the same missteps over and over. In this episode, you’ll learn how to avoid common writing traps when it comes to plot, point of view, backstory, and more, And I’ll guide you on what to do instead.
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Here’s a glance at this episode:
[2.22] Writing Trap 1: Premature focus on structure
Structure is essential. It gives your imagination a container so your reader can receive it. But it’s not what you start out with. Learn what you need to do first, before structure, and why plot serves character, not the other way around.
[5:28] Writing Trap 2: Not getting to the action soon enough
Sometimes there’s a lot of backstory or exposition that goes on for pages before anything happens. When it takes too long to put your characters into the fray, the reader grows impatient and bored. Learn how to put your characters together sooner. And a healthier way to approach conflict.
[7:59] Writing Trap 3: Telling more than showing
This happens whenever you gloss over things that demand to be slowed down. Significant events are told in shorthand rather than dramatized in real time. Learn how to avoid common telling traps like plot told as summary, dialogue that feeds reader information, and telling us a character acts or feels.
[10:47] Writing Trap 4: Too much backstory
Sometimes backstory winds up taking over the front story. Or it’s globbed in one spot, delaying the action. Backstory is good for you to know. But the reader doesn’t need all of it. Learn a different way to think about backstory so that it’s relevant to your story and resonant.
[12:52] Writing Trap 5: Multiple Points of View
When you have too many points of view, your readers get confused because they don’t know where to turn their gaze. And too many POVs, when not crafted intentionally, dilute your entire story. Learn what point of view is, and how to focus it.