When writing a novel, it’s all about setting the mood and giving the readers a character to root for. There are a few major things that can completely kill the mood and leave your readers annoyed that need to be addressed. Do you find any of these things in your current work in progress?

Describing Eyes

I get it. You spent countless hours working on a detailed character sheet that has everything from their name to their favorite stuffed animal growing up. You know this character, you love them like your own child, and you want your readers to, too.

But I promise, describing your character’s eyes when they are first introduced really hurts your novel.

When I meet someone new in real life, I notice the way they carry themselves, the slight crooked-ness of their smile, the way their hair looks like they just woke up. I never remember what color their eyes are, even if I’m looking at them the whole time!

It is unrealistic for your character to immediately notice what color their new acquaintances eyes are, the way they reflect the sun, the golden flecks lining the iris.

Instead of outright telling us, “I shook her hand, noticing her eyes were emerald green,” try saving the description for a special moment. “Atop the hill, his face inclined towards the setting sun, I noticed something. His eyes. A dark brown, like chocolate, with gold rimming the inside, like a bracelet. They were brown, but not at all unremarkable.”

See the difference?

Saving the description for a time when it matters and adds to the scene makes the readers remember.

A Tragic Backstory Revealed

There is absolutely no problem with giving your characters a tragic backstory with heaps of trama, a dash of daddy issues, and a spoonful of criminal background. However, if your character explains their entire backstory without hesitation to another character, you’re doing something wrong.

I, for one, would never tell a new acquaintance the story of my past. I may tell them a bit, but I would leave out most of it.

A better way to reveal a character’s past would be in bits and pieces. And maybe, the character lies about some of their past because they feel guilty. Let the puzzle pieces slowly fall into place until the readers have an aha! moment when they find out what makes this character this character.

One thing I really hate is flashbacks. I may just be speaking for myself here, but for some reason I hate reading flashbacks. I also may be a bit hypocritical because I sometimes write flashbacks into my stories.

One thing to never do in your writing when revealing a character’s past is through a dream. Dreams are rarely ever word-for-word what happened. They are typically this weird take on reality by our subconscious that actually has nothing to do with anything.

Backstories can be really fun and interesting if done correctly.

Too Much Description

This is pretty self explanatory.

Describing setting, people, feelings, and actions are necessary- but at the right time. Your reader should know what’s going on, what it looks like, so they can be right there in the world with your characters.

But if you’re going for an intense, life changing moment kind-of-vibe, skip the in-depth descriptions. A little can go a long way for this one.

I saw somewhere that the bigger the event, the smaller the focus. You don’t describe the horrors of war. You describe a five year old’s socks singed and stinking of ash and flames. I find this to be very helpful when crafting an important scene in your book. It adds suspense and a mood to die for.

Moving the Camera

The characters are the most important part of the story. Period. Would anybody have read Lord of the Rings if the Fellowship wasn’t so lovable? Even with the incredible world building and complicated plot, I would be lying if I told you I didn’t read the trilogy for Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam.

With that, your readers want the characters. It is possible to ignore minor (and even major) potholes if you have great characters.

If you have a chapter in your WIP that strays away from the characters for most of it, moves the camera to point at something unimportant, per se, I strongly suggest changing it. If your character is watching an event unfold, for example, try putting some of their thoughts about it throughout. It makes us, as readers, think we are reading your character’s story, not just a story.

Conclusions

I hope this was helpful for some of you. Remember, mood is extremely important in order to write a strong novel that your readers will never forget.