for Prose Mistakes that Amateurs Make8/3/2024 c1 
11Aquilla239
Once again, insanely helpful. I really appreciate that you do this for aspiring writers such as myself. Thank you!
11Aquilla239Once again, insanely helpful. I really appreciate that you do this for aspiring writers such as myself. Thank you!
4/20/2017 c1 Anonymous girl
This was really helpful, thanks for writing it!
This was really helpful, thanks for writing it!
12/11/2014 c1 brosea
I loved this
I have noticed a few mistakes in my writing mentioned here. Although used sparingly 'just' is in my novel, especially in characters' speeches.
I use -ing words as well. I'll need to revise to ensure they make sense. thank you for this.
Again good article.
I loved this
I have noticed a few mistakes in my writing mentioned here. Although used sparingly 'just' is in my novel, especially in characters' speeches.
I use -ing words as well. I'll need to revise to ensure they make sense. thank you for this.
Again good article.
5/21/2013 c1 14ever-A-Nightmare
Dang, this is information I need my friend to learn, that and I need to learn it. Those writing books can't give me as good as an explanation as a real person! Yet, you are giving me a pretty good explanation. I've been looking through your works that help writers, and I'm finding myself jotting down notes. Then again, this may sound weird, but I do the same thing when I'm reading a book written by some "famous" author. Personally, those famous authors sound like crap. Do you ever think that. They over use words, or make their love scenes flat out laughable. I need to go back to scanning your works to see if you did one on, Keeping it Real. I hate when I pick up a fantasy and find there is nothing I can relate too, because the character doesn't have any familiar feelings and ideas.
14ever-A-NightmareDang, this is information I need my friend to learn, that and I need to learn it. Those writing books can't give me as good as an explanation as a real person! Yet, you are giving me a pretty good explanation. I've been looking through your works that help writers, and I'm finding myself jotting down notes. Then again, this may sound weird, but I do the same thing when I'm reading a book written by some "famous" author. Personally, those famous authors sound like crap. Do you ever think that. They over use words, or make their love scenes flat out laughable. I need to go back to scanning your works to see if you did one on, Keeping it Real. I hate when I pick up a fantasy and find there is nothing I can relate too, because the character doesn't have any familiar feelings and ideas.
3/14/2013 c1 16The Queen Elsa
Great guide! This will probably help a lot of new authors. But I'm not sure that I agree about #1. What's wrong with the sentence is the fact the wrong word is used. "forwards" should be forward.
Honestly, 'said' and ask get boring after a chapter or so If someone can't read the words, they can always read something else. Plenty of other people can understand and enjoy a variety.
#14 doesn't make any sense to me. Why have a one dollar story when you can have a fifty dollar one? It doesn't add up. I've read enough to know a few 25 cent words of the top of my head. There's nothing wrong with looking something up to have a nice sounding story. No one old enough to be on this site wants to read a Clifford The Big Red Dog story.
And 13.5 should always be ditched if your character is super-formal. Just sayin'.
16The Queen ElsaGreat guide! This will probably help a lot of new authors. But I'm not sure that I agree about #1. What's wrong with the sentence is the fact the wrong word is used. "forwards" should be forward.
Honestly, 'said' and ask get boring after a chapter or so If someone can't read the words, they can always read something else. Plenty of other people can understand and enjoy a variety.
#14 doesn't make any sense to me. Why have a one dollar story when you can have a fifty dollar one? It doesn't add up. I've read enough to know a few 25 cent words of the top of my head. There's nothing wrong with looking something up to have a nice sounding story. No one old enough to be on this site wants to read a Clifford The Big Red Dog story.
And 13.5 should always be ditched if your character is super-formal. Just sayin'.
12/1/2011 c1 8Dark Blue Lover
LOL - this is funny. Well written, and probably helpful to a lot of people out there.
"It seems this is to assure the reader they are not walking backwards." "Otherwise, they don’t make the reader feel excited, they make you sound sugar-high." Loved those two sentences.
Also: "because of the inference that somehow, somewhere, there are severed limbs being scattered deliberately and methodically." - Again, love the quite sarcastic humour.
Nonetheless, may I put in my two cents?
For 1 - "Very" is the same. In 80% of all times it's used, it is unnecessary. I always suggest to take those words out.
For 5 - Don't forget the "there/their/they're" and "its/it's". Basically the same as the "your/you're" mistake but those things drive me crazy.
For 8 - When beta-reading, I always try to replace such words with verbs that say the same. E.g. "She smirked" instead of "she smiled evilly". I know it's not exactly the same, but it worked before, and I can't think of a better example right now :P
For 9 - I'd actually disagree with that one. Yes, I do try to avoid adverbs. Yes, there are examples where synonyms for "said" can be distracting. But I still think the monotony you get if you always use "said" is worse. Even if it's "to answer", "to reply", or "to exclaim" (if the character's really exclaiming) from time to time, IMO that's better than using "said/asked" the whole time. But no offense to you, I know everyone has a different style.
For 13 - May I ask what exactly you mean by "stupid teenagers"? Maybe I'm slow to catch on right now but I can't really imagine what you mean.
Other than that - good job overall ^_^
8Dark Blue LoverLOL - this is funny. Well written, and probably helpful to a lot of people out there.
"It seems this is to assure the reader they are not walking backwards." "Otherwise, they don’t make the reader feel excited, they make you sound sugar-high." Loved those two sentences.
Also: "because of the inference that somehow, somewhere, there are severed limbs being scattered deliberately and methodically." - Again, love the quite sarcastic humour.
Nonetheless, may I put in my two cents?
For 1 - "Very" is the same. In 80% of all times it's used, it is unnecessary. I always suggest to take those words out.
For 5 - Don't forget the "there/their/they're" and "its/it's". Basically the same as the "your/you're" mistake but those things drive me crazy.
For 8 - When beta-reading, I always try to replace such words with verbs that say the same. E.g. "She smirked" instead of "she smiled evilly". I know it's not exactly the same, but it worked before, and I can't think of a better example right now :P
For 9 - I'd actually disagree with that one. Yes, I do try to avoid adverbs. Yes, there are examples where synonyms for "said" can be distracting. But I still think the monotony you get if you always use "said" is worse. Even if it's "to answer", "to reply", or "to exclaim" (if the character's really exclaiming) from time to time, IMO that's better than using "said/asked" the whole time. But no offense to you, I know everyone has a different style.
For 13 - May I ask what exactly you mean by "stupid teenagers"? Maybe I'm slow to catch on right now but I can't really imagine what you mean.
Other than that - good job overall ^_^
1/27/2011 c1 1FierceOcelot
This was an extremely helpful essay. I'm an aspiring writer, and I think that this article will help me improve my work greatly.
I also like how your lists were short and to the point; healthy for my eyes. You made some good points and provided clear examples. You, sir, have done me a favor. :)
1FierceOcelotThis was an extremely helpful essay. I'm an aspiring writer, and I think that this article will help me improve my work greatly.
I also like how your lists were short and to the point; healthy for my eyes. You made some good points and provided clear examples. You, sir, have done me a favor. :)
1/8/2011 c1 5Alfred Symon
Your short but at the same time useful essay is very useful that i can use that useful knowledge for other useful usages. The only thing i wonder is why to make everything 'teenager'. What if i'm forty-two years old and still not a legit writer? Kids theses days...
5Alfred SymonYour short but at the same time useful essay is very useful that i can use that useful knowledge for other useful usages. The only thing i wonder is why to make everything 'teenager'. What if i'm forty-two years old and still not a legit writer? Kids theses days...
12/29/2010 c1 1Sushay1221
Very good! You have a unqiue voice and you add humor to your wrting. I can imagine you are a great journalist.
1Sushay1221Very good! You have a unqiue voice and you add humor to your wrting. I can imagine you are a great journalist.
5/27/2010 c1 28Robin Leigh
Wow, thanks a bunch! I'll go check my story now (hehe). I became really worried. Thanks for the tips! :D
28Robin LeighWow, thanks a bunch! I'll go check my story now (hehe). I became really worried. Thanks for the tips! :D
4/21/2010 c1 Lord Vivian Darling
Well written,but I'd ENCOURAGE thesaurus use - they're a wonderful invention.
Well written,but I'd ENCOURAGE thesaurus use - they're a wonderful invention.
7/3/2009 c1 Brenda Agaro
Thank you so much for this. It really helps a lot. Now I'll be sure to avoid certain transitions when writing.
Thank you so much for this. It really helps a lot. Now I'll be sure to avoid certain transitions when writing.
6/30/2009 c1 13Ruby Kart
Some of the best advice I've ever read.
Yet, it's still funny when I think about it. I honestly make many of these mistakes. Urg, I must try harder not to be so teenagerish in my writing.
BTW - The whole part that someone might actually methodically scatter limbs made me laugh. You've got a great sense of humor which makes this a great little piece to read and learn from.
13Ruby KartSome of the best advice I've ever read.
Yet, it's still funny when I think about it. I honestly make many of these mistakes. Urg, I must try harder not to be so teenagerish in my writing.
BTW - The whole part that someone might actually methodically scatter limbs made me laugh. You've got a great sense of humor which makes this a great little piece to read and learn from.