10 Common Writing Mistakes New Authors Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Hey there, aspiring author! So, you’ve decided to plunge and write your first book. First off, congrats! Writing is a thrilling, creative, and sometimes challenging journey, and you’re about to embark on something truly special.

But let’s be real—writing isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Even the most seasoned authors make mistakes, and as a new writer, you’re bound to stumble into a few pitfalls along the way.

The good news? You’re not alone, and most of these mistakes are avoidable. Let’s dive into some of the most common writing blunders new authors make and how you can steer clear of them.

1. Overwriting (AKA Using Too Many Words)

We get it—you want your writing to sound poetic, profound, and impressive. But sometimes, less is more. Overwriting happens when you use ten words where two would do or when you describe every single detail of a room instead of letting the reader’s imagination fill in the gaps.

It can make your writing feel heavy and slow, which might cause readers to lose interest.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Read your sentences aloud. If you find yourself running out of breath, it’s probably too long.

✔️ Cut unnecessary adjectives and adverbs. Instead of “She walked very quickly,” try “She hurried.”

✔️ Trust your readers. They don’t need every detail spelled out for them.

✔️ Practice writing concisely. Challenge yourself to convey an idea in as few words without losing its essence.

2. Flat Characters

Characters are the heart of your story, and if they feel one-dimensional, your readers won’t connect with them. A common mistake is creating characters who are either too perfect (hello, Mary Sues!) or so bland that they fade into the background. Readers want characters who feel real—people they can root for, cry with, or even love to hate.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Give your characters flaws, quirks, and motivations. Nobody’s perfect, and your characters shouldn’t be, either.

✔️ Ask yourself: What do they want? What are they afraid of? What makes them unique?

✔️ Let them grow. A character arc can turn a good story into a great one.

✔️ Use character questionnaires or interviews to dig deeper into their personalities and backstories.

3. Info Dumping

You’ve spent hours crafting your world, developing your backstory, and figuring out the intricate politics of your fictional universe. That’s awesome! But dumping all that information on your readers in the first chapter? Not so awesome. Info-dumping can overwhelm readers and pull them out of the story.

How to avoid it:

✔️ Sprinkle details throughout the story instead of unloading them all at once.

✔️ Show, don’t tell. Instead of explaining a character’s history, reveal it through their actions and dialogue.

✔️ Trust that your readers are smart enough to piece things together over time.

✔️ Introduce world-building elements naturally, as they become relevant to the plot.

4. Ignoring the Editing Process

Here’s the hard truth: Your first draft is not going to be perfect. It’s probably going to be messy, and that’s okay! The real magic happens during editing. Skipping this step is like serving a half-baked cake—it might look okay, but it’s not ready to be enjoyed.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Take a break after finishing your first draft. Come back to it with fresh eyes.

✔️ Edit in layers: Focus on big-picture issues (plot, character development) first, then move on to grammar and style.

✔️ Consider hiring a professional editor or asking beta readers for feedback.

✔️ Don’t be afraid to cut scenes, characters, or even entire chapters if they don’t serve the story.

5. Trying to Be Perfect from the Start

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. If you’re constantly rewriting the first chapter because it doesn’t feel “just right,” you’ll never finish your book. Writing is a process, and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Permit yourself to write badly. You can always fix it later.

✔️ Set daily or weekly goals to keep yourself moving forward.

✔️ Remember: Done is better than perfect.

✔️ Embrace the messiness of creativity. Some of the best ideas come from unexpected places.

6. Neglecting the Reader’s Experience

It’s easy to get so caught up in your own story that you forget about the person who matters most—the reader. If your pacing is off, your plot is confusing, or your dialogue feels unnatural, your readers are going to notice.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Is this scene engaging? Does this dialogue sound real?

✔️ Pay attention to pacing. Balance action with quieter moments to give readers a chance to breathe.

✔️ Test your story on beta readers. Their feedback can be invaluable.

✔️ Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing or clunky sentences.

7. Comparing Yourself to Other Writers

It’s natural to look at successful authors and think, “Why can’t I write like that?” But here’s the thing: every writer has their voice, style, and journey. Comparing yourself to others only leads to self-doubt and frustration.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Focus on your progress, not someone else’s success.

✔️ Remember that even your favorite authors started somewhere.

✔️ Celebrate your wins, no matter how small.

✔️ Use other writers as inspiration, not competition.

8. Underdeveloped Conflict

Conflict is the engine that drives your story forward. Without it, your plot can feel flat and uneventful. A common mistake new authors make is creating conflicts that are too easily resolved or don’t have enough stakes to keep readers invested.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Raise the stakes. Ask yourself: What does your character stand to lose if they fail?

✔️ Make conflicts personal. The more emotionally invested your characters are, the more invested your readers will be.

✔️ Don’t resolve conflicts too quickly. Let the tension build and keep readers guessing.

✔️ Use both internal and external conflicts to add depth to your story.

9. Overloading Dialogue with Exposition

Dialogue is a powerful tool, but it can easily become a crutch for exposition. When characters start explaining things to each other that they already know, it can feel forced and unnatural.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Keep dialogue realistic. People don’t typically explain their entire backstory in casual conversation.

✔️ Use subtext. Let characters imply things rather than stating them outright.

✔️ Show, don’t tell. Use actions, expressions, and body language to convey information.

✔️ Trust your readers to pick up on clues without being spoon-fed.

10. Not Reading Enough

Writing and reading go hand in hand. If you’re not reading regularly, you’re missing out on valuable lessons about storytelling, pacing, and style. Reading widely can also help you discover what works (and what doesn’t) in different genres.

🤔 How to avoid it:

✔️ Make reading a priority. Set aside time each day or week to read.

✔️ Analyze what you read. Pay attention to how authors handle dialogue, pacing, and character development.

✔️ Read outside your comfort zone. Exploring different genres and styles can inspire new ideas.

✔️ Join a book club or writing group to discuss books and share insights.

Final Thoughts

Writing is a learning process, and making mistakes is part of the journey. The important thing is to keep going, keep improving, and, most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Every word you write brings you one step closer to becoming the author you’ve always dreamed of being.

So, take a deep breath, grab your pen (or keyboard), and start writing. You’ve got this!

Happy writing,
Victoria Raikel

P.S. What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve faced as a new author? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!