I have read and reviewed hundreds of books for Readers’ Favorite. These are my observations on basic mistakes made when writing fiction.

Christian fiction does not mean “no graphic sex or obscene language otherwise I can write what I like”. Five-star books have a truly Christian theme, but they never preach. The best YA I’ve read concerned a teenager raised by a drug-dealing mother who was caught and the youngster removed to a Christian family who led her to God by love, support, and example. Its strength was superbly-drawn characters and an intriguing mystery.

Cardboard characters make it impossible for the reader to empathise with them. Goody-goody heroines are a turn-off; nobody is perfect. Overly-sexual women, however desirable the author wants them to be, can be sickening; less is more. Likewise, over-confident, over-sexed, heroes bore, where relatable, attractive, sexy men will fascinate female readers, and be liked by males: double your potential readers.  

Overuse of names. It must be clear who is in a scene, and who is speaking: a name repeated too often in the same paragraph is distracting when clarity is the aim. Avoid using names that are too similar; it’s confusing.  Some books, especially sagas, have a large cast, but consider which names are important and leave hotel staff, taxi-drivers, etcetera, nameless.

Paranormal is not an excuse to avoid plot problems with magical solutions. Plots should be strong enough to support a straight novel, so magic, in whatever form, adds a unique twist.

Introduce your main character first, and if you intend to have a love interest include both protagonists in chapter one and have them meet. They don’t have to like each other.

Few authors publish the first draft of a book, or even the sixth. Write draft one and go back to look for the start. So, you did introduce your hero/heroine at the beginning, but was he/she active? Sitting on the front porch is a marvellous chance to describe the view. Readers aren’t interested in it, yet. They want gunshots, thwarted passion, a meteor shower… whatever fits your genre. You’ll probably find that scene in chapter three, but your bored potential reader won’t go beyond the first paragraph of the Amazon “look-inside”.

“A car” is boring. “A blue car” is better. “An old blue Mini” or “A blue Mercedes Roadster” tells the reader instantly what could have cost you a paragraph of inaction. Minis are driven by the rich in cities where parking is at a premium, but an old, or battered, Mini indicates a level of poverty. A Mercedes Roadster implies wealth, youth, and virility. Colour builds a picture, and villains often drive dark cars for secrecy at night. This technique can be used for clothes, perfume/aftershave, shoes… The list is endless and facts available on the internet.

Historical novelists, research, research, research! Disillusioned readers write killer reviews, so it’s down to you to know your subject.

Children’s writers, ensure you know grade-age capability and write, and illustrate, for your target audience.