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Common Mistakes Writers Make
The first thing a reader or an editor — whether acquisitions or content — sees when they open your book to page one is your best effort at what you are trying to say. Fiction or nonfiction — doesn’t matter. If your writing is weak, sprinkled with grammatical errors, and plagued by shifting points of view, most readers and editors will not turn to page two. In this short book, best-selling and award-winning author Eva Marie Everson explains how to:
* Fix weak introductions
* Find grammatical errors
* Remove irrelevant details
* Replace weak words
* Understand and write to your target audience
* Avoid big words
* Create a sense of place
* Understand the difference between "rules" and "styles"
* Avoid POV shifts
and much, much more.
"I don't claim to be the final authority on all the issues, but I know what I know. This book is but a small collection of editing mistakes I often find in the work that comes across my desk (and sometimes by my own hand). It shouldn't take long for you to read it, but when you reach the end, I hope you ll have had some aha moments. My writing is conversational, because I pretend I am speaking directly to you as I write, my friend. I'm basically telling you what I think I know." ~ Eva
* Fix weak introductions
* Find grammatical errors
* Remove irrelevant details
* Replace weak words
* Understand and write to your target audience
* Avoid big words
* Create a sense of place
* Understand the difference between "rules" and "styles"
* Avoid POV shifts
and much, much more.
"I don't claim to be the final authority on all the issues, but I know what I know. This book is but a small collection of editing mistakes I often find in the work that comes across my desk (and sometimes by my own hand). It shouldn't take long for you to read it, but when you reach the end, I hope you ll have had some aha moments. My writing is conversational, because I pretend I am speaking directly to you as I write, my friend. I'm basically telling you what I think I know." ~ Eva
- GenresWritingNonfiction
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2014
45 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Eva Marie Everson
65 books371 followersEva Marie Everson is a best-selling, multiple award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction. She is the CEO of Word Weavers International and the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference. She enjoys teaching and speaking at writers events across the US. Eva Marie was the 2022 recipient of the Yvonne Lehman Legacy Award and the 2022 recipient of the AWSA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023 her book, The Third Path, won the Golden Scroll Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 7, 2017
Overall, this book was a solid read. A good reminder for authors, covering several grammatical problems and word-choice issues. The style of writing was fun and easy to devour. My only regret: the book was quite short. Wish it was double the length, or longer, as I enjoyed the reminders put forth.
May 10, 2018
Great book, but.....
What about "he sat up in bed" or "she sat up in her chair"? Or "she sat up straight in her chair", although I am pretty sure that when one "sits up straight" the "straight" is unnecessary. I do realize one can use "propped up in bed" but that isn't always accurate. I am genuinely curious, have I been using "sat up" incorrectly? Also, as a disabled person, I often find myself standing using my hands or with the use of a cane. I think of it as an additional leg and I have seen those with crutches use them as masterfully as another would use their legs, and still others who are not acrobats use their arms as one would use legs and hands as feet. One can also write using their feet or mouths instead of hands, to expand on that line of thinking. We often do not put ourselves into the minds of the differently abled, but it should be considered. This may not technically be correct grammatically speaking, however it is common for someone to say "I stood on my crutches." "I lifted myself onto my crutches" might be more accurate, but doesn't accurately describe the grace of motion one gains over time using durable medical equipment. Read the book, and this review will make more sense.
What about "he sat up in bed" or "she sat up in her chair"? Or "she sat up straight in her chair", although I am pretty sure that when one "sits up straight" the "straight" is unnecessary. I do realize one can use "propped up in bed" but that isn't always accurate. I am genuinely curious, have I been using "sat up" incorrectly? Also, as a disabled person, I often find myself standing using my hands or with the use of a cane. I think of it as an additional leg and I have seen those with crutches use them as masterfully as another would use their legs, and still others who are not acrobats use their arms as one would use legs and hands as feet. One can also write using their feet or mouths instead of hands, to expand on that line of thinking. We often do not put ourselves into the minds of the differently abled, but it should be considered. This may not technically be correct grammatically speaking, however it is common for someone to say "I stood on my crutches." "I lifted myself onto my crutches" might be more accurate, but doesn't accurately describe the grace of motion one gains over time using durable medical equipment. Read the book, and this review will make more sense.
December 8, 2016
This book is a basic guide to proper writing. Although it's not comprehensive in talking about grammar, it's helpful! I really appreciated Eva Marie's conversational style, and I liked it that she talked about the importance of writing great first lines.
January 27, 2017
You know a book is good when the reader finishes it and then rereads it--that's what I'm doing. If you've read many of my reviews, you know I've been reading several writing craft books over the last couple of years. This ranks up with the best of the ones I've read. If you're a writer, you'll like Eva's concise and wit-filled advice. She teaches and entertains the reader simultaneously. Thank you, Eva Marie Everson, for making learning fun; I wish all my teachers had been like you.
December 16, 2018
I love the image the author weaves in the story about the life of a book, the life of a writer and the common threads one should find in both. Beautiful. I also enjoyed her common sense approach and engaging tone while dispensing invaluable grammar lessons. Yes, I found some of my favorite errors on those pages, but her attitude and tone made for a delightful and educational read. Highly recommended.
August 18, 2018
I really liked the info in this book, but sometimes I found myself thinking, get to the point already. I found it especially annoying when she felt the need to tell a long-winded story on why people like to be given info slowly. Also, I'm not sure I agree with that point because I found myself slightly bored while waiting for the next knowledge chunk. I'm sure that point has its place, but I think she exaggerated the need for it. I ended up making extensive notes on the book, taking what I wanted from it, so it will be easier for me to find the knowledge chunk that I need.
October 3, 2018
Excellent resource and reminder of lessons I learned in elementary school. Now, I will need to apply those lessons learned to my current WIP. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my personal honest opinion. No review was required.
February 13, 2019
Discovered this tiny books on Amazon and immediately ordered. It's jam-packed with great editing advice taught in a simple, yet thought-provoking advice.
I can't wait to go over the 1st draft of my novel with what I've learned!
I can't wait to go over the 1st draft of my novel with what I've learned!
May 7, 2019
One important tool in my writing toolbox is Common Mistakes Writers Make
This is a book I re-read often. It's valuable for refreshing my memory so that I catch more of my unconscious writing mistakes. I highly recommend it.
This is a book I re-read often. It's valuable for refreshing my memory so that I catch more of my unconscious writing mistakes. I highly recommend it.
November 6, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. Eva gave pointers that made editing (and writing) a book easier. Some of the mistakes I've made were highlighted and some things were clarified.
July 13, 2016
There is not a lot of new information here, but the book is a well-written guide full of the things most writers take for granted. The first part of the book is devoted to basic mistakes WE all make in everyday writing as well as professional writing. Sometimes we are in a hurry and forget things, other times we write down everything in a dump all fashion boring readers with too much detail. It seems obvious that all writers need to focus on their audience, setting, and consistently deliver their message, but how often is the writer distracted from the goal?
The second part of the guide focuses on grammar and spelling.. Reminders include avoiding ly words, excessive use of exclamation points, using incorrect word choice or not following submission guidelines. This handbook is an excellent guide to have at your side as a quick reminder because we all get sloppy and careless at one time or another no matter how proficient a writer we believe ourselves to be.
The second part of the guide focuses on grammar and spelling.. Reminders include avoiding ly words, excessive use of exclamation points, using incorrect word choice or not following submission guidelines. This handbook is an excellent guide to have at your side as a quick reminder because we all get sloppy and careless at one time or another no matter how proficient a writer we believe ourselves to be.
August 31, 2014
Review Title: Cures for Wretched Writing (review of Common Mistakes Writers Make by Eva Marie Everson)
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
*****5 Stars
Everyone who writes can use this book as a handy reference. It is concise with the most common errors so you don't have to spend a long time finding what you need from among pages of information seldom used. The most commonly confused words are found in these pages so for the beginning writers and those who need a refresher course on what word to use in which context, this is the go to book. It is also a book to help a writer keep their writing vibrant with reminders such as to get rid of the word, "was."
If you apply the cures in this book to your writing, you will see much needed improvement. Eva Marie Everson has a heart to help writers, and it shows through the pages of helpful hints and corrections in this book.
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
*****5 Stars
Everyone who writes can use this book as a handy reference. It is concise with the most common errors so you don't have to spend a long time finding what you need from among pages of information seldom used. The most commonly confused words are found in these pages so for the beginning writers and those who need a refresher course on what word to use in which context, this is the go to book. It is also a book to help a writer keep their writing vibrant with reminders such as to get rid of the word, "was."
If you apply the cures in this book to your writing, you will see much needed improvement. Eva Marie Everson has a heart to help writers, and it shows through the pages of helpful hints and corrections in this book.
May 4, 2015
Common Mistakes Writers Make is an easy read packed full of tips and examples of mistakes that even professional authors make. It is a quick read, but full of helpful info. I'm glad that I read this and I found several things that I know I do in my own writing.
July 30, 2017
Brief but helpful
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews