writing a book is challenging enough on its own, and it can be extremely disheartening if readers struggle to engage and immerse themselves in your work. often readers fail to connect with a piece of literature when:
it's too wordy
there's too much description (not enough action)
the plot is hard to follow
it feels ingenuine
or in other words - it's boring. of course, no writer intends to write a boring piece of work - even research papers are supposed to engage their target audience. so, how do you avoid losing readers to boredom?
new and experienced writers alike can often fall into the trap of over describing people, places, and things. when you have the perfect image of your work in your head, it's only natural for you to want your readers to have the same picture - resulting in an accidental influx of description.
instead try and describe things where it seems natural - using action to prompt the description. for example, if someone is brushing their hair, describe the texture & colour of their hair. if the sun is shining, describe their skin and how the sun impacts the colour of their skin.
next, try and avoid the dreaded plot holes. gaps in your plot are often unintentional, but they're very noticeable to your reader. however, they're often hard to spot as the author, as are other minor errors. when you have such a clear picture and idea of the plot you're creating, it can be easy for your brain to fill in any gaps automatically - and as such, you might not even notice they're there!
when editing your work, it's often good to get a second perspective on your work. whether this is a friend doing you a favour, or a hired editor, a fresh set of eyes can help spot mistakes you didn't notice! otherwise, simply taking a break and coming back a day or a week later to read over your own work can also help give a fresh perspective.
lastly, it's possible that your writing may seem ingenuine. this is the hardest “error” to fix, as it comes down to personal opinion and background. genuine literature is work that is sincere - and personal. you often hear writers being told to write about what they know, or have experienced - and this is usually for a reason.
when you write something you're familiar with, your work is likely to appear more genuine - as you're more passionate on the topic! however, don't let this restrict you - rather, consider it as an incentive to familiarise yourself with your topic. if you're passionate about a topic, your work will reflect that!
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