Mastering Narrative Writing: Essential Dos and Don'ts to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Writing a compelling narrative involves more than just stringing words together to tell a story. It requires careful consideration of language, structure, and style. As an editor, I see a lot of mistakes in manuscripts, most of them are repeated by multiple authors across multiple genres. So I thought it might be helpful to share some of the most common errors I see and how to fix them. 

The overuse of "had" often indicates unnecessary or unintentional flashbacks. When overused, it can become repetitive and monotonous, disrupting the flow of your narrative. To avoid this, rid your manuscript (MS) of excessive "had" usage or use contractions to make them less noticeable.

When incorporating flashbacks into your narrative, ensure they are well-structured and serve a clear purpose. The three critical elements of a flashback should contain:

Emotional Trigger: Begin with a transition sentence that includes "had." This establishes the character and point of view (POV) clearly. An emotional trigger sets the stage for the flashback, grounding it in the character's current emotional state.

Flashback Scene: Write the flashback scene in simple past tense. Avoid using "had" excessively. This keeps the scene dynamic and engaging.

Transition Sentence: Conclude the flashback with a transition sentence that brings the reader back to the present. This is usually an action at the start of a new paragraph, seamlessly integrating the flashback into the ongoing narrative.

Writing a compelling narrative can be difficult, especially when attempting to balance it with dialogue. Too much of either will result in a clunky book. Blocks of narrative text aren't very pleasing to the eye. On the flip side, too much white space around dialogue can make the story feel sparse. These are my top 5 tips to help balance your narrative writing:

Determine Emotional Mood Before Writing: Understanding the emotional tone of your scene before you start writing can help you craft more authentic and resonant narratives. This emotional groundwork ensures your characters' actions and dialogues align with their current state of mind. Once you know the emotional tone, utilize the five senses to make the readers feel what the characters are feeling. 

Show Characters Doing Something: Actions speak louder than words. Show your characters engaging in activities rather than solely internal monologues. This approach makes your story more dynamic and your characters more vivid. But make sure the actions are relevant to the scene and are in line with the character you've established. 

Tell, Don't Ask: Avoid having your characters ask too many internal questions, as it can make them appear weak and indecisive. Instead, form their thoughts as statements. For example, rather than writing, "Was he a werewolf?" write, "I wondered if he was a werewolf." But be mindful of how often you do this, as "wondered" can be a distancing word. As always, this is a delicate balancing act to round out your writing. 

Set Action Goals for Each Scene: Ensure each scene has a clear action goal. Characters should be actively pursuing something, not just thinking about it. Make sure your characters have agency and are working toward something. 

Avoid Overusing "It" or "Some" or "There": Using vague terms like "it" or "some" or "there" can be confusing and seem lazy. Be specific in your descriptions to maintain reader engagement and clarity. Always ask yourself: "What is it?" or "What or where is there?" Quantify what "it" is or how many "some" is. 

Fiction is composed of three main parts: narrative, dialogue, and description. I've already talked about narrative, so now let's talk about dialogue and descriptions and how to utilize those effectively to balance the story. 

Physical Actions as Dialogue Tags: Physical actions don't always work as dialogue tags. For example, a character can't smile, sneer, or laugh while speaking. These should be separate sentences. Use facial expressions and gestures to add depth, but don't overdo it. Watching TV with the sound off can provide great inspiration for non-verbal communication.

Smart Character Naming: Naming characters thoughtfully is crucial. Common complaints include:

* Names ending in "s" (which can be confusing in possessive form)

* Difficult-to-pronounce names

                       * Human names for animals               

                       * Multiple characters with names starting with the same initial consonant                                (e.g., all names starting with D or B)

Avoid Euphemisms: Euphemisms can dilute the impact of your writing. Be direct and clear in your descriptions and dialogue to maintain authenticity and emotional resonance.

Transparency with Readers: Never manipulate your readers by withholding critical information about your character's plans once mentioned, especially when you're deep in that character's point-of-view. Transparency builds trust and keeps readers engaged.

Avoid Needless Descriptions: Descriptions should enhance the narrative, not interrupt it. Avoid inserting unnecessary details that can distract from the action or dialogue.

Careful Use of Slang: Slang can date your writing. Use it sparingly and ensure it fits the context and characters to avoid sounding outdated or out of touch. This is especially important when writing children's or teen fiction. 

Crafting a compelling narrative requires attention to detail and a keen understanding of language and structure. By avoiding the overuse of "had," structuring your flashbacks effectively, and following these essential dos and don'ts, you can create engaging and polished stories. Remember, writing is an art form that requires practice and reflection. Keep refining your techniques, and your narratives will captivate and resonate with readers.

Also remember, though, that beyond the "Laws of Grammar," there are no real hard rules for writing. You can ignore every piece of advice in this post and still write a masterpiece. However, for those just starting out, having some basic guidelines can be useful. 

What tips or tricks do you have for writing compelling narrative?

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