Many writers have the tendency to write dialogue like they think it should sound. This often leads to cringe-worthy interactions where thees and thous are used incorrectly. On the other end of the pendulum, some writers have a tendency to modernize historical dialogue, ignoring the era-specific ornate language for a plain, stripped down, bastardized version. That’s a no-no, too. Whether you’re writing a period piece or a young adult series set 10 years in the past, remember to use specific language that’s accurate for that time period.