Using too many clichés can also make a bad story. Phrases like 'it was a dark and stormy night' or characters that are the typical hero or damsel in distress without any new twists. It gives the feeling that the story has been told a thousand times before and lacks originality.
A common mistake is ending too abruptly. Without proper transition or summary, it can leave the reader feeling confused or unsatisfied.
A frequent error when ending an online novel is changing the tone drastically. For example, if the novel was a slow - burning drama and then the ending is suddenly action - packed and over - the - top, it can feel disjointed. Additionally, not giving proper endings to secondary characters can be a problem. Readers may have become invested in them, and leaving them hanging can detract from the overall experience. And sometimes, the ending is too predictable. There should be some element of surprise or a unique twist to keep the readers engaged until the very end.
A frequent error when ending Fairy Tail fanfiction is leaving too many plot holes. If the ending doesn't explain how certain things happened or what happened to certain characters, it leaves the reader frustrated. Forgetting to give proper closure to relationships is also a mistake. Whether it's a friendship or a romantic relationship, the reader wants to know where it stands at the end. And finally, not considering the overall tone of the fanfiction. If it was a light - hearted story throughout, a super dark and depressing ending will seem out of place.
Use really flat and uninteresting characters. Make them all have the same personality, like they are all super nice with no flaws or quirks. They won't engage the reader at all. Also, use really simple and dull language throughout the story, like 'He went here. He did that.' without any descriptive words.
A big mistake is not knowing your audience. If you're writing for kids but use complex language, they won't understand. Lack of consistency in the story world is also an issue. For example, if magic works one way at the start and then differently later, it confuses the reader. And don't forget about pacing. If it's too slow, the reader will lose interest.
One common mistake is wrong verb tenses. For example, using 'goed' instead of 'went'.
When writing your novel, don't make the mistake of not doing enough research. If your story is set in a specific time or place, you need to know the details. For example, if it's a historical novel, research the customs, language, and events of that era. Another mistake is having too many sub - plots that don't contribute to the main story. Keep the focus on the central plot and characters, and only include sub - plots that enhance the overall story.
In a bad first draft novel, often there is inconsistent writing style. Sometimes it's too formal, other times too casual. There may also be an overuse of clichés. And not enough world - building. If it's a fantasy or science - fiction novel, for example, the setting may not be well - defined. Additionally, the dialogue can be stilted and unnatural.
One common mistake is forgetting to include the author's name correctly. Another is getting the title formatting wrong, like using the wrong type of punctuation or capitalization. Also, not including the full publication details such as the publisher and year is a big error. Sometimes people might also forget to mention if the short story is part of a collection.
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.