From an Editor: Common Writin...

By StephiCham

2.6K 149 23

As a content and copy editor, I see mistakes that many writers make. I've compiled these into some quick tips... More

Where the book begins
Using tags and beats
General World-building
Adverbs and nonverbal language
Common grammatical mistakes
When everyone but the reader knows
Character development
Writing realistic dialogue
Query letters and pitches
Following characters' leads
Creating unique, believable characters
When to show and tell
Filling in the spaces of your novel
Building and defying expectations
Pacing
Finding and exploring your writing voice
World-building descriptions
World-building: Economy

What the narrator knows

153 10 5
By StephiCham

Remember: no matter what point of view you write from, you MUST stick to what your narrator knows. (Your readers can figure things out before your narrator does, but you can't reveal information your narrator isn't supposed to know while they're narrating.)

Here's an example:
My sister scrunched up her face, trying not to say what she's thinking.

If your book is in first-person POV, your narrator doesn't necessarily know what other characters think or try to hide. They may if they are deeply familiar with the other person, but even so, you'd have to disclose how your narrator reached those conclusions.

This type of issue often manifests in overusing the word "because."
Example:
He said nothing to me because he was too sad.

Instead, show the sadness nonverbally and let your readers see it for themselves.
OR, you can omit the "because" and split the sentence, so you're not explaining away others' actions.

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