Writing is easy. Writing well is less so. Anyone can make a typo or slip in the occasional technical error. However, when a writer repeatedly makes the same technical errors again and again, I stop focusing on what I am reading. Indeed, sometimes I get so frustrated that I abandon my reading altogether. As an example, I recently checked out a book from the library. The back cover listed a few glowing reviews, and the storyline seemed fresh and intriguing. But when I began reading, I found myself wincing every time the writer committed comma-related sins. Yikes.
What are some common errors that you should avoid in your writing? Let’s discuss a few. (We won’t try to tackle commas in this blog post—they’re a different beast altogether.)