So, you’ve finally decided to write that book you’ve been dreaming about for years. Congratulations!
Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is a huge accomplishment. But before you get too far along in your writing journey, be aware of these common mistakes new authors make. By steering clear of these 7 mistakes, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, frustration, and heartache – and end up with a much stronger book as a result.
One of the biggest mistakes new authors make is diving into their book without a solid outline and plan. They may have a general sense of what they want to write about, but no roadmap for how to get from Point A to Point B. As a result, they often end up going down rabbit holes, writing in circles, and struggling to tie everything together.
Before you start writing in earnest, take the time to create a detailed outline that maps out the key points you want to cover in each chapter. Think of it as a GPS for your book. Having this guide will keep you focused and on track.
You don’t have to plan out every last detail, but sketch out the main ideas, supporting points and how it will all flow together. Architects don’t construct buildings without a blueprint – and you shouldn’t construct your book without an outline.
Another common trap is trying to make every sentence perfect before moving on to the next one. You write a paragraph, then spend the next hour tweaking it, agonizing over word choice and sentence structure. At this rate, you’ll never finish!
Resist the urge to edit while you’re writing. Just focus on getting your thoughts down, even if the writing feels clumsy. You can always go back and refine later. Think of your first draft as a lump of clay – the goal is just to get it all out there. You’ll sculpt it into something beautiful later.
Before you start writing, ask yourself:
You’ve done a ton of fascinating research for your book. So naturally, you want to share all of it with your readers. But be careful not to overload them with too much information at once.
Info-dumping large chunks of research or backstory can quickly bog down the narrative and make readers’ eyes glaze over. Instead, look for ways to weave in your research organically, when and where it’s most relevant. Share the most essential and interesting bits, and trust that readers can look up the rest if they’re super curious.
We’ve all heard the classic writing advice “show, don’t tell.” But what does that really mean in practice? Essentially, it means that instead of just stating how a character feels or summarizing what happened, you use vivid details, dialogue, and actions to illustrate it.
For example, don’t just write “John was nervous before his presentation.” Paint a picture that shows his nerves, like: “John paced back and forth backstage, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. His mouth felt as dry.”
See the difference?
Showing engages the senses and imagination, making readers feel like they’re experiencing the story instead of just hearing about it secondhand. So, whenever you can, try to show, not tell.
For some first-time authors, especially those writing nonfiction, research becomes an endless quest for more information. They keep diving down new avenues of inquiry, chasing tangents and obscure details. At some point, you need to stop researching and start writing.
Remember, you don’t need to know absolutely everything about your subject to write knowledgeably about it. Gather enough research upfront to feel sufficiently informed, then start writing. If you discover holes in your knowledge along the way, you can always go back and fill them in as needed.
So you’ve finished your first draft – congratulations!
But…resist the urge to immediately send it off to agents and publishers. Trust me, your book isn’t ready yet.
Completing the first draft is a huge milestone. But it’s just the first step. Now the real work begins – revising, gathering feedback, more revising, editing, polishing…
Sending out your very first draft is like serving a half-baked cake to guests. Don’t do it.
Take the time to get your book in the best possible shape before sharing it with the world. Work with critique partners and beta readers. Hire an editor if you can. Go through as many drafts as it takes to make your book really shine. Then – and only then – will it be ready for prime time.
Writing your first book is a huge undertaking, filled with twists, turns and potential pitfalls. But armed with these tips for avoiding the common mistakes new authors make, will put you on your way to crafting the book of your dreams.
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Stories are meant to be SHARED!