There are several errors that amateur writers make. So, before you send your manuscript to an editor and have it published, you must run it through a high-quality grammar check like ProWritingAid to detect and fix grammar issues. Correct grammar and punctuation go a long way in preparing your manuscript and is perfect for publication. But there is a lot more to good writing than just grammar. Make sure you go through your script for these writing blunders. 

Lengthy Sentences

Split the sentences to make your writing easier to read. If you are writing nonfiction, try not to include more than three pieces of information in a single sentence. In case you want to write fiction, consider the pacing of the scene you are working on. Use short sentences in an action scene and include sensory details in an emotional one. The sentences must be readable regardless of the topic you choose to write about.

Fancy Dialogues

Use easy dialogue tags such as ‘said’ and ‘asked’, which the brain will naturally gloss over and keep your writing flowing smoothly. Authors make the mistake of using fancy words in their dialogue tags such as ‘whispered’ and ‘mumbled. So, rather than engaging the reader, these dialogue tags deviate them from the story. It is also common to attach an adverb to the word ‘said’, such as ‘quietly’ or ‘fiercely’. So cut the flowery dialogue tags and let them speak for themselves.

Use of Adverbs 

Using a verb is better than adding an adverb. Since the verb is the heart of the sentence, it should do the job! Check out adverbs in your writing and see if you can replace them with specific verbs. For example, you might write an impactful action phrase ‘hurried to the store’ instead of ‘he walked quickly’.

Adverbs can help when they do not contradict the verb they are attached to. When you write ‘she smiled happily’, the adverb ‘happily’ does nothing since we associate a smile with happiness! On the other hand, when you write ‘she smiled sadly’, the adverb ‘sadly’ is applicable because it helps convey the nuance of the smile.

Stereotype Writing

Avoid cliché phrases, as they are less effective when compared to the original expressions. Your early drafts might have a frame such as ‘light as a feather’ or ‘dumb as a doorknob’.

But everyone has read these expressions several times that they have lost their impact. Instead of clichés, reel your readers in with unique descriptions and similes. Switch clichés with original phrases to give your script a personal touch.

Over Usage of Similar Sentences 

Avoid using repetitive sentences to keep your work from becoming boring. Verb forms are particularly overused. If you’re describing someone doing something, you may find that the entire paragraph sounds something like “She stood up. She grabbed her key. She walked down the stairs.” So, alter it slightly! The more you stretch your sentences, the more professional your writing can sound. Try connecting sentences like: “After grabbing her keys, she walked up to the door.” Alternatively, try smearing some setting elaborations such as “Her keys hung from a chain by the front door.”

Passive Voice Usage

Delete the passive voice to make your language more effective. To target passive voice, start by looking for words such as ‘was,’ and ‘am” and words that end in ‘ing’ (for example - “singing” and “dancing”), and figure out ways to rewrite them. For example, if the sentence is “The building got painted yesterday,” you can rephrase it as “He painted the building yesterday.” The active voice feels more compelling. A smart grammar checker can change your sentences from passive to active.

Unnecessary Words

Trim down the excess words to make your writing shine. Begin by deleting specific high signs such as ‘really,’ ‘actually,’ and ‘somehow’. They take up space without changing your writing.

You can also delete very evident words. For example, you can replace ‘small in size’ with ‘small’, ‘prior history’ with ‘history’. Finally, remove filtering phrases like ‘he saw’ or ‘she realized’. For example, if you’ve written “She saw the cat run away,” you can replace it with “The cat ran away” to make the sentence more compelling. Your idea is to make your readers forget they are reading and immerse themselves in the story.

Now you have it all – common writing mistakes to delete from your script. With these mistakes out of the way, you can publish a fantastic book to keep your readers turning the pages.