1. When the narrative says something like, "He was sure they would meet again" or "He sensed that they would play a role in the reshaping of the world" about seemingly minor characters. This is known as SUBTLE FORESHADOWING. The author might as well have attached signs to their heads saying "DO NOT IGNORE THIS/THESE CHARACTER(S). THEY WILL BE IMPORTANT LATER.".

2. Gratuitous violence or sex for no other reason than to have it in.

3. Frail and delicate young people (typically women from what I've seen) wielding longbows as a weapon. You needed muscle to use those things.

4. Any female battle armor that leaves the belly button, hips, thighs, or (god forbid) cleavage visible. Not only is it blatant author fantasy/fanservice, it's also really impractical. I suppose a woman might wear it if they wanted to get killed...

5. Vague, nondescript "healing herbs" that can cure cancer or reattach a limb, unless they are extremely hard to obtain or have some disadvantage to their use.

6. The use of ALL CAPS in dialogue. The reader should be able to tell that they're shouting based on the words uttered, the context, and the presence of an exclamation point or "he shouted".

7. Stew being prepared and consumed on the road. Stew takes lots of equipment and hours of cooking time. Not the ideal choice for people who have to flee the minions of the Dark Lord at a moment's notice.

8. Wanton use of the word "quicksilver", as if it's just a fancy name for silver. That is false. Quicksilver is mercury, which is, for one, liquid at room temperature, and for two, poison.

9. Stupid evil henchmen, like sentries that follow the exact same pattern, can be distracted by a tossed pebble, and don't immediately call when a comrade disappears. Or prison guards that honestly think that the attractive captured heroine wants to sleep with them and so unlock her cell.

 

10. Freakishly strong “warrior feminist kick your butt unarmed and with one hand tied behind her back” female characters. These characters are often created in an attempt to have “strong” female characters, but they end up being sexist in their own right, and not even necessarily against men. They can insinuate that for a woman to be accepted among men, she must be unattainably strong. That is no different than a magazine Photoshopping its models. It is promoting an unrealistic and unattainable body image.

 

11. Potty humor.

 

12. When protagonists are hailed as heroes no matter what they do, even if it’s an atrocity, such as killing enemy soldiers who pose no threat when there are other options available. Yes, Paolini, I’m looking at you.

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