7 Writing Mistakes That Hurt Your Story (and How to Avoid “Literary Leftovers”)

From Edie: Struggling with weak writing? Discover 7 common fiction writing mistakes—like head-hopping, clichés, and weak verbs—and learn how to avoid “literary leftovers” that hurt your story.

7 Writing Mistakes That Hurt Your Story (and How to Avoid “Literary Leftovers”)

by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan

When I first started writing, it was so far removed from my school days, I didn't remember the "rules" of good writing. Today, we call those guidelines—back then, in the stone age, they were hard and fast rules. 

I joined an online critique group and quickly learned heard I was head-hopping and needed to choose a POV. I hadn't ever heard the term POV. I was told that in those dark ages, writers wrote omniscient. Omniscient is something God is. What did that have to do with fiction?

So, what does that have to do with leftovers? You want to offer readers your best—not leftovers.