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5 Writing Mistakes That Scream 'Amateur' The tell-tale signs of novice writing — and how to fix them
Every writer has been there. You pour your heart into a piece, hit publish, and then cringe when you read it back months later. The good news? Those amateur mistakes are like literary growing pains — they're part of the journey.
But why wait months or years to identify them? Let's rip off the band-aid and explore the five most common mistakes that separate aspiring writers from the pros.
1. The Adjective Avalanche
Picture this: "The tall, dark, handsome, mysterious stranger walked into the dimly lit, smoky, vintage bar."
Did your eyes glaze over? Mine too.
Amateur writers often believe that piling on descriptors creates vivid imagery. In reality, it's like overcooking a delicate dish — you lose the subtle flavors that make it special.
Pro Fix: Choose one powerful adjective that does the heavy lifting:
Instead of "tall, dark, handsome stranger" → "imposing stranger"
Rather than "dimly lit, smoky, vintage bar" → "seedy bar"
