One thing I see a lot of are authors inserting characters in the story that really are not needed at all. Oh sure, at the time there was a "real reason" for having that character, but in the end, these people do nothing more than clutter up the story and get in the way of the message you are trying to send.
Here is a simple example, and frankly, many authors seem to think these are common tropes. Heroine is just starting to get back into the dating scene. Of course it has been a while and now she has a few questioning moments. She only has her cat in her apartment so author now inserts best friend into the conversation. [that part is fine but it what the author does that ruins it].
To make that best friend significant, the author moves that character from a two-dimensional character to a three dimensional character. This girl is not only going to be there as a sounding board, but will now provide the sexy wardrobe, want to know about the one night stands and so forth.
A variation of this is when the heroine needs to get a "guys" perspective but needs someone who also understands women and is easy to talk to...insert gay office friend.
The reality of the situation is that the heroine just needed a sounding board. No lengthy conversation. No time away from the central plot. Just a quick question answered. So, instead of inserting the new characters, turn this into narration.
Heroine thought back to her previous dating experiences and realized the mistakes.... It is now all internal narration AND the big winner is that the heroine is able to figure out her problems and not have to rely on someone else doing the thinking for her.
The other added benefit is the words you were wasting on crazy best friend or gay really cool office guy can be spent on building that relationship with the hero or putting them into situations to truly heighten the conflict and dark moments.
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