THE WORD ASSOCIATION TOP TEN PITFALLS

We thought it would be fun and helpful to have a list of top ten pitfalls that we come across. We want to make this as useful as possible, so if you have any ideas, please send them in.

1. PREMISE

A premise that is either over-ambitious / too abstract or simply too bland and generic.

2. IDEAS AND EVENTS

Not enough happens, too few ideas both big and small (e.g. observation, plot, characterisation, insight).

3. VOICE

A voice that alienates - e.g. pleased with itself, getting too pally with the reader, cynical, all-knowing - or language that gets in the way of the story.

4. BIOGRAPHY MASQUERADING AS FICTION

Personal experience too directly portrayed which comes over as autobiography not fiction.

5. CHARACTERISATION

Characters without clear goals whose dilemmas and choices are not set up. Relationships without conflict.

6. BACK STORY

Too much background information about characters which does not contribute dramatically to the main story or build anticipation.

7. KEEPING IT RELEVANT

Too much setting up, too much detailed observation that has no relevance to character or plot development.

8. CLARITY

Confusing or ambiguous signposting, point of view, time and place.

9. DIALOGUE

Characters who do not speak with an individual voice and perspective and dialogue that is used for plot exposition.

10. 'DEAD' WRITING

Passages of dialogue or description that have either no forward narrative momentum or unintentionally slow the pace.