Seven Signs That Your Writing Sucks (And How To Fix It)

Every writer has a cringe-worthy draft somewhere. A half-finished novel gathering dust. A storyline that makes you wince. You’re not alone. In fact, if you care enough to ask whether your writing is a pile of poo, that’s actually a very good sign. You wouldn’t be human if your writing didn’t need work. And if any of these hit close to home, don’t panic, because the only way is up. Here are seven signs your writing isn’t hitting the mark — and more importantly, how to fix it.

1. You’re Boring Yourself

If you’re nodding off while reading your own words then most likely your readers will too. Your passion for your story should seep through your words. If you’re not lit up by what you’re writing, it’ll fall flat.

Fix it: Write about something that gets under your skin. Use active verbs. Drop in real emotion. You are your first reader. When I get stuck, I imagine that I’m reading the book for the first time. What scene would excite me at this point? What would make me gasp out loud? Depending on your genre, a good scene booster could be someone getting naked, a sudden car crash, the introduction of an unexpected character, a surprise windfall, a betrayal, a death in the family…see where I’m going with this? You can always find ways to liven a scene up. It could be something minor like a…