My first draft was full of errors. There were too many characters which I reduced to eight, which is acceptable, although five or six is the norm for most genres of novels. By characters, I mean those whose presence will be virtually continuous throughout the novel.
I received two qualified literary opinions of my first draft. They both drew the same conclusion. There were at least five or six novels in my first draft, and too many characters leading me astray.
I had the beginning, middle and end to my main plot and storyline, amongst other storylines. The excess of characters led me off on unnecessary tangents and took the focus off my protagonist.
Things became much clearer when I reduced the characters and concentrated on one main storyline and one main outcome.
I wonder if trying to cram to much into a novel is a common error?
You mean that one book which turned into six? I think we can safely say yes, don't you?!
I'm terrified of this! I've done it before and ended up abandoning my attempts. However, it can be a good thing. I keep characters that I've cut in my head; if their back story is strong enough, they can work for other projects I'm working on. I started a draft a few years ago that, while good, was too meandering and had two main protagonists whose stories didn't sit together comfortably enough. In the end, I decided to cut the second character from that draft and condense the first characters situation into a short story. I have then been able to adapt the second character and give her a stronger background in order to make her the main protagonist of my current novel draft. She's given me more than either of the characters in my first attempt ever could have!
Then again... There will be some writers that "under-cook" their first draft...
The important thing is to at least achieve the first draft - without that there is nothing to fret and stress about...
And then what fun would there be?
David