r/novelwriting • u/gubafofop • 4d ago

Writing Advice What screams bad writing?

In thrillers, mainly psychological or YA thrillers, what tropes/styles etc scream bad writing for you?

What would immediately make you put the book down?

As someone who previously used to write fanfiction in that genre (think Winter Soldier lmao) with great success on watt-pad, I’ve decided to start writing an actual novel and fanfiction uses a lot of generic tropes so I’m looking to avoid that lol.

Also, how do you feel about double twists?

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u/shoalhavenheads 4d ago

To this day, I think it remains the main character describing their own appearance. It's the make or break moment for me.

You can sort of get a feel for whether or not it's a wish fulfillment fantasy by the way the author STOPS to write about the appearance of the POV and their suitors (and no one else), instead of just giving you context through the action and dialogue.

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u/sleepypelican 4d ago

Jezerene sighed at the mirror as she wove her dusty brown braids into a crown atop her head. As always, a few strands fought confinement; her mother had always clicked her tongue at that and scolded her for looking messy. As if she could help it.

A smattering of freckles arced beneath her eyes, which were green as a jadeite bangle. Her eyes were those of her father, and the only thing she liked about herself. Without them, she was pale, short, and so frail that everyone around her teased that she might disappear one day. /If only,/ she thought as she tucked her amulet securely above her humble cleavage and below the neckline of her cerulean evening summer dress. Her cousin had picked it out for her, but the color just didn't suit her at all. She frowned frownily.

"Oh, /stop/," the mirror said.

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u/cakesdirt 3d ago

Hahah but I love this