Terrible Mistakes New Writers Need To Avoid

All writers make mistakes whether it is their first time writing a novel or their dozenth time writing a novel, mistakes are bound to happen, but if you're aware of the more common ones, then they'll be easier to avoid. 

Here are a few of the most common mistakes made by new writers so that you can take care not to make the same. 

Ignoring the Importance of Editing 

It doesn't matter if you are looking to self-publish or traditionally publish your novel, you can not skip editing.

I don't mean to edit as you write (more on that later this week) but editing before you hit publish on that book or send it to that agent will make or break your novel.

There's more to editing than just grammar and spellchecking, like consistency and plot progression which are also important aspects to be mindful of when going over your novel. 

After each stage of editing, you should put your novel aside for a little while and then come back to it with fresh eyes and even better, seek help from a professional when it comes to making your manuscript as polished as it can be.  

Comparing Yourself To Others

You will never be the next Stephenie Meyer or Cassandra Clare or whichever author is being idolized at the moment, AND THAT'S OK.

Their success isn't your success and it's up to you to make your own. 

You may not start off your writing career as an international bestseller, but neither did they and if you hold yourself to impossible goals with your first novel, or even your second then you're going to be setting yourself up to fail or fall flat and that's the last thing you want to happen. 

Neglecting Your Daily Reading 

If you want to be a writer you also need to be a reader as it's the number one way to improve your craft (besides practicing.) Reading is like sitting down in a coffee shop across from the author you admire and they're putting into your hands all that they know about writing when it comes to pacing, character development, and general novel construction.

Learn from them, and keep a notebook nearby as you read to take notes if you wish, but the best learning will be when you fall into the story and it doesn't let you go. 

Seeking Perfection 

There's no such thing as a perfect novel and I'm pretty sure there's a subreddit page out there dedicated to finding typos and inconsistencies in popular novels. 

You may not get it right the first time, but there's always next time or just time, in general, to make it right, but if you're waiting for your novel to be absolutely perfect before you publish it or attempt to have it published - it's going to grow cobwebs and you may grow old and die before your words ever see the inside of a printing press. 

Dismissing Feedback 

Feedback is not there to hurt you. 

If you give your book to ten beta readers and ask them what they think of a certain aspect in your book and 9 out of 10 of them come back to you and say they didn't like it and think it could use some changes.. don't ignore that just because one person thought it was fine. 

That one person is probably lying to you. 

Don't dismiss the thoughts and advice of others. This doesn't mean you have to implement every change that is suggested to you, but at least give it a few moments of consideration to find out for yourself if there is any merit and benefits in making the proposed changes. 

Neglecting Self-Care 

Just because you spend hours on end at your computer working on your novel instead of commercial landscaping or interpretative dance, doesn't mean that you don't have the basic need of a shower at least every other day, as well as regularly consuming food and water to keep your body going. 

Writers can sometimes get locked into a writing headspace and forget they need to give their eyes and body a break from long hours spent hunched over their keyboard crafting their worlds. 

Don't forget to take care of yourself. 

Fearing Rejection 

Just as buying books and reading books are two different hobbies, writing books and publishing books can be as well. 

Sometimes writers get overwhelmed with the idea of someone reading their work so they shove it in the bottom drawer of their desk and move on to something else and that novel never sees the light of day. 

You don't want that - that's why you're here to make sure you're not making any mistakes right?

Being afraid to put your novel in the hands of others is normal, but it's a bridge you need to cross. 

Now get to it.

With love, 

B. King xo xo

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