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

By Olayinka Joseph

Writing your first book is not difficult because you have no ideas. In many cases, the problem is that you have too many ideas and no clear way to turn them into a readable manuscript. New authors often begin writing before they know what the book is really trying to accomplish, edit every paragraph before finishing the next one, repeat the same point in different words, use complicated language to sound knowledgeable, or assume that because something makes sense to them, it will automatically make sense to the reader.

I know these problems from the writing side of publishing, not just from reading about them. I started self-publishing in 2017 after experiencing the frustration of trying to get a manuscript published. Since then, I have written more than 80 books across different subjects and formats. Writing that many books has taught me something I did not fully understand when I started: finishing a manuscript and writing a good manuscript are two different skills. You need to learn how to do both.

The mistakes below are the ones I would pay particular attention to if I were sitting beside a new author working through a first manuscript. They are not rules designed to make every book sound the same. They are practical problems that can make an otherwise useful book difficult to finish, difficult to read, or difficult to trust.

---

1. Starting the Book Without Knowing Exactly What You Want to Say

One of the first mistakes new authors make is opening Microsoft Word and simply starting to write.

There is nothing wrong with having inspiration. The problem comes when inspiration becomes the entire writing method.

You may write five pages about one idea, jump to another idea, remember something else you wanted to include, return to the first idea, and eventually discover that several chapters are saying almost the same thing.

I have learned to ask a simple question before developing a book:

What exactly am I trying to help the reader understand, do, solve, or experience?

If I cannot answer that clearly, I know I need to work on the idea before trying to produce the manuscript.

You don’t need a complicated writing system. You need a clear destination.

---

2. Trying to Write the Perfect First Draft

This is one of the mistakes that can quietly kill a book.

A new author writes a paragraph, reads it again, changes it, reads it again, deletes it, writes another version, changes a word, checks the previous paragraph and eventually spends an hour working on material that could have taken ten minutes.

I have learned to separate writing from editing.

When I am developing a manuscript, my first responsibility is to get the ideas onto the page. The manuscript can be improved later.

Your first draft is not the finished book.

If you demand finished-book quality from every sentence of your first draft, you can spend weeks polishing three chapters and still have no complete manuscript.

Write the book first.

Then improve the book.

---

3. Writing Without an Outline

Some experienced writers can work without a detailed outline. A first-time author usually has much more to gain from having one.

An outline does not mean you have to know every sentence before you begin. It simply gives your ideas somewhere to go.

For example, before writing a chapter, I want to know:

• What is this chapter about?
• What question does it answer?
• What should the reader understand by the end?
• What examples or evidence do I need?
• What belongs in another chapter instead?

A simple outline can prevent hours of rewriting later.

I have written books where the outline was little more than a list of chapters and the main points under each chapter. That was enough to keep the manuscript moving.

If you are struggling to organize your ideas, these free book outline templates for beginners can give you a practical starting point. free book outline templates for beginners

---

4. Making One Chapter Do Too Much

A chapter should have a reason for existing.

New authors sometimes put every related idea into one chapter because they are afraid of leaving something out. The result is usually a long chapter that moves in several directions.

For example, a chapter about overcoming fear might suddenly move into finances, relationships, leadership, childhood experiences, prayer, productivity and business.

All of those subjects may be valuable. They do not necessarily belong in the same chapter.

When a chapter becomes too broad, ask:

What is the main job of this chapter?

Anything that does not help accomplish that job should either be removed or moved somewhere else.

---

5. Repeating the Same Point in Different Words

This is particularly common in nonfiction.

The author makes a point.

Then explains the point.

Then gives another paragraph explaining the same point.

Then gives an example that repeats it.

Then summarizes it again.

The manuscript becomes longer, but not necessarily better.

One of the lessons I have learned from writing many books is that word count can hide repetition.

When editing a chapter, I ask myself:

Have I introduced a new idea here, or am I simply saying what I already said?

If two paragraphs perform the same job, I normally combine them, rewrite them or remove one.

A shorter explanation that is clear is often stronger than three explanations saying almost the same thing.

---

6. Writing for Everybody

When you try to write for everybody, your writing can become strangely impersonal.

You end up using general statements because you are afraid of excluding anyone.

Instead, know the particular reader you are helping.

A book for a first-time Christian author should not sound exactly like a technical manual for an experienced publishing professional.

A beginner’s writing guide should explain things differently from an advanced literary-writing course.

Before writing a section, ask:

Who needs this information, and what do they need to know at this point?

That question alone can improve the direction of an entire manuscript.

---

7. Using Complicated Words to Sound Like an Author

This is an easy trap.

A writer learns an impressive word and begins looking for opportunities to use it.

But readers are not impressed simply because a sentence contains complicated vocabulary. They want to understand what you are saying.

I have become much more conscious of this in my own writing.

If a simple word communicates the idea properly, I use the simple word.

Instead of trying to sound like a professor, imagine that you are sitting across the table from the person who needs your knowledge.

Explain it clearly.

That is writing.

---

8. Writing Long Sentences That Carry Too Many Ideas

A sentence can be grammatically correct and still be difficult to read.

New authors sometimes put several thoughts into one sentence because they want to sound polished.

The reader has to go back to the beginning to remember what the sentence was about.

When editing, I look for sentences containing too many separate ideas.

Sometimes the best solution is simply to divide one long sentence into two or three shorter ones.

Good writing is not about making every sentence long.

It is about making every sentence understandable.

---

9. Starting Chapters With Too Much Background

The opening of a chapter should get to the subject.

One common mistake is spending several paragraphs explaining why the topic is important before actually teaching anything.

For example, if the chapter is about self-editing a manuscript, don’t spend half the introduction telling readers that writing books is difficult.

Get into the editing problem.

Show the reader what they are likely doing wrong.

Then teach them what to do differently.

I have found that readers appreciate being taken directly to the problem they came to solve.

---

10. Using Examples That Don’t Actually Explain Anything

Adding an example does not automatically make writing practical.

A weak example simply repeats the explanation.

A useful example makes the concept easier to see.

Suppose you are teaching a writer to remove repetition.

Don’t just say:

“Avoid repeating your ideas.”

Show the author what repetition looks like.

Then show how the passage can be tightened.

That is the kind of practical teaching I try to use in my own writing.

Whenever possible, move from:

principle → example → correction.

The reader can see what you mean instead of merely being told.

---

11. Making Claims Without Checking the Facts

A writer can be passionate about a subject and still get facts wrong.

This matters especially in nonfiction.

Check:

• Names
• Dates
• Statistics
• Quotes
• Bible references
• Historical information
• Technical information
• Definitions
• Book titles
• Scripture quotations

For Christian books, I pay particular attention to Bible references because a wrong chapter or verse can undermine confidence in an otherwise useful teaching.

Don’t trust memory simply because you have used the information many times.

Check it.

---

12. Treating Research as Copy-and-Paste Material

Research should strengthen your thinking, not replace it.

A common problem with beginner nonfiction is that the author collects information from several websites and rearranges it into a book.

That may produce a large amount of content, but it does not necessarily produce an author’s work.

Research should answer questions such as:

What is true?

What evidence supports this?

What have I personally learned from applying it?

What does the reader need to understand?

What can I explain more clearly from my own experience?

Your research gives you information.

Your experience, interpretation and teaching give the material your voice.

---

13. Depending Too Heavily on Inspirational Statements

Encouragement has its place, but encouragement cannot carry an entire book.

A manuscript can contain dozens of sentences such as:

“Never give up.”

“Believe in yourself.”

“Keep moving forward.”

“Your dream is possible.”

Those statements may be true, but the reader also needs instruction.

If you tell a new author not to give up, explain what they should do when they get stuck.

If you tell them to edit their book, explain what they should look for.

If you tell them to write consistently, show them how to create a writing routine.

Teach the reader something they can actually use.

---

14. Filling Space Because You Think the Book Is Too Short

This mistake often comes from an unhealthy relationship with word count.

A writer sees that the manuscript is only 25,000 words and begins looking for ways to make it 40,000.

That can lead to repetition, unnecessary stories and explanations that add length without adding value.

I have learned not to ask only:

“How many words have I written?”

I also ask:

“Have I said what needs to be said?”

A focused 30,000-word book can be more useful than a padded 60,000-word book.

The purpose of the manuscript is not to impress readers with its size.

It is to deliver its message well.

---

15. Editing While You Are Still Discovering the Book

There is an important difference between noticing a problem and stopping the entire writing process to fix it.

Sometimes you begin Chapter 4 and realize that something in Chapter 2 needs to change.

Make a note.

Keep writing.

You may discover later that the problem solves itself because the direction of the book has changed.

When you edit too early, you can spend hours perfecting material that you eventually remove.

This was one of the lessons that became clearer to me as I wrote more books: the complete manuscript gives you information that the first three chapters cannot give you.

Finish discovering the book before trying to perfect it.

---

16. Using the Same Words and Phrases Too Often

Every writer has favourite words.

The problem begins when the reader starts noticing them.

You may repeatedly write:

• “In today’s world”
• “It is important to note”
• “As we have seen”
• “The truth is”
• “In conclusion”

These expressions are not automatically wrong. The problem is unnecessary repetition.

Read your manuscript specifically looking for repeated phrases.

You may be surprised by how often the same expression appears.

Sometimes the solution is to delete the phrase completely.

Other times, rewrite the sentence naturally.

---

17. Writing Every Paragraph the Same Way

A manuscript can become monotonous when every paragraph follows the same rhythm.

For example:

Explanation.

Explanation.

Explanation.

Explanation.

The reader starts feeling like they are reading a lecture transcript.

Vary the presentation.

Use:

• Short paragraphs
• Examples
• Questions
• Lists where appropriate
• Stories
• Explanations
• Practical exercises
• Scripture or evidence where relevant
• Occasional direct instructions

This does not mean adding decorative elements everywhere.

It means allowing the writing to breathe.

---

18. Forgetting to Read the Manuscript as a Reader

When you write a book, you know what you meant to say.

The reader does not.

That distinction is important.

You may read a paragraph and automatically understand it because your brain already knows the missing information.

The reader only has the words on the page.

One useful editing exercise is to pretend you know nothing about the subject.

Ask:

Would a new reader understand this?

Have I explained the unfamiliar term?

Did I assume something the reader cannot know?

Does this example actually make the point clear?

This changes the way you see your own manuscript.

---

19. Refusing to Remove Material You Love

Writers become emotionally attached to their words.

I understand that.

You may have spent an hour writing a paragraph that you think is excellent.

But the real question is not:

“Do I like this paragraph?”

The question is:

“Does this paragraph belong in this book?”

Sometimes the answer is no.

A beautiful story can still interrupt the chapter.

A powerful illustration can still be unnecessary.

A good paragraph can still repeat something you already explained.

Editing requires enough distance from your own writing to remove material that no longer serves the book.

---

20. Ignoring Inconsistencies

Small inconsistencies make a manuscript look less carefully written.

You might spell a person’s name two different ways.

You might use one term in Chapter 2 and a different version in Chapter 8.

You might switch between British and American spelling without realizing it.

You might refer to an event as happening in one year in one chapter and another year somewhere else.

You might use different capitalization for the same term.

Create a simple consistency check during editing.

Search your manuscript for important names, terms and recurring phrases.

Reading your manuscript aloud can also expose wording problems that your eyes overlook.

---

21. Depending on Spellcheck to Edit the Book

Spellcheck is useful.

It is not a book editor.

Software can identify many spelling and grammatical problems, but it does not understand the full purpose of your chapter.

It may not know that you repeated the same argument three pages earlier.

It may not notice that your explanation is confusing.

It cannot determine whether a story belongs in Chapter 5 or Chapter 9.

It cannot replace your responsibility as the author.

Use writing tools to assist you.

Do not hand the entire editorial responsibility to them.

---

22. Skipping the Self-Editing Stage

Some new authors finish the manuscript and immediately send it to an editor.

There is nothing wrong with hiring an editor. In fact, professional editing can be extremely valuable.

But you should still read your own manuscript first.

You are the person who knows what you intended to say.

Before sending the manuscript for professional editing, look for:

• Repeated ideas
• Missing information
• Weak explanations
• Contradictions
• Unnecessary sections
• Grammar mistakes
• Spelling errors
• Incorrect names
• Incorrect references
• Awkward sentences

My first-time author publishing checklist goes deeper into this self-editing stage and the different types of editing a manuscript may require. first-time author publishing checklist

---

23. Asking a Proofreader to Fix a Structural Problem

This is another mistake that comes from not understanding the difference between writing and editing.

Imagine that Chapter 3 contains too much information, Chapter 5 repeats Chapter 2, and the conclusion introduces an important idea that should have appeared earlier.

Proofreading will not solve those problems.

Proofreading is not a substitute for rewriting.

Before worrying about the final comma or typo, ask whether the manuscript itself works.

I have found it useful to think about editing in layers:

First: Does the book make sense?

Second: Does each chapter do its job?

Third: Are the explanations clear?

Fourth: Is the language clean and consistent?

Finally: Are there remaining spelling, punctuation and formatting errors?

That order matters.

---

24. Publishing the Words You Wrote Instead of the Book You Intended

This may sound strange, but there is a difference.

Sometimes the manuscript you planned at the beginning is not the manuscript that emerges after research and writing.

You may discover that one chapter is unnecessary.

You may realize that two chapters should become one.

You may discover that the reader needs a missing chapter.

You may find that your original introduction is actually better placed halfway through the book.

Don’t become a prisoner of your first outline.

The outline serves the book.

The book does not serve the outline.

If the manuscript needs to change, change it.

---

25. Stopping at “The End”

Finishing the final chapter feels like a major achievement.

It is.

But typing the final sentence does not mean the manuscript is finished.

It means you now have something to work with.

After finishing a manuscript, I recommend stepping away from it for a while if your schedule allows. Then return and read it differently.

Don’t read only to admire what you have written.

Read looking for what is wrong.

Look for:

• Places where you became repetitive
• Chapters that feel weak
• Arguments that need more evidence
• Sections that move too slowly
• Sentences that sound unnatural
• Ideas that need clarification
• Material that should be removed
• Information that is missing
• Inconsistencies between chapters

That second look can change the quality of the manuscript considerably.

My guide on how to finish writing a book deals specifically with completing the manuscript without getting trapped in endless rewriting. how to finish writing a book

---

What I Would Tell a New Author Before They Start Writing

If you are writing your first book, don’t make the mistake of thinking that good authors never make mistakes.

They do.

The difference is that writing improves when you learn to recognize the problems in your own work.

When I started writing and self-publishing in 2017, I was still learning many of these lessons through experience. I did not have everything figured out. Some lessons came from mistakes, some from publishing experience, and some from simply writing another book and discovering that the next manuscript required a better approach.

Writing more books has taught me to pay attention to things I might have ignored earlier:

Is this necessary?

Is this clear?

Am I repeating myself?

Does this chapter actually help the reader?

Have I supported this claim?

Would someone unfamiliar with this subject understand it?

Can I say this more simply?

Those questions are more useful to me than trying to follow a long list of artificial writing rules.

You do not need to sound like every other author.

You need to become clear about what you are saying and disciplined enough to make the manuscript say it well.

If you are still at the beginning of your first book, my guide on how to write your first book step by step can help you move from the initial idea to a complete manuscript. how to write your first book step by step

And if you have already finished your manuscript, don’t rush straight to publication simply because you are excited to see your name on a book cover.

Give the manuscript another serious look.

Read it.

Question it.

Cut what needs to go.

Rewrite what is weak.

Verify what needs verification.

Then let another person read it.

Your first book does not have to prove that you are the greatest writer in the world.

It needs to show that you took your message seriously enough to communicate it well.

That is one of the biggest lessons writing and publishing have taught me.

Don’t just finish the book. Learn how to improve the book.

---

These May Answer Some of Your Questions

What is the most common writing mistake new authors make?

One of the most damaging is starting to write without a clear direction. Without knowing what the book is trying to accomplish, writers often repeat ideas, lose focus and create chapters that do not connect properly.

Should I edit while writing my first draft?

Generally, separate the two stages. Make notes when you notice something that needs attention, but avoid repeatedly rewriting completed sections while the rest of the manuscript remains unfinished.

How do I know if I am repeating myself?

Read each chapter and identify the main point it is making. If several paragraphs or sections communicate essentially the same idea without adding something new, you probably have repetition that needs to be reduced.

Should I use simple language in my book?

Yes. Clear language is usually more useful than complicated language. The goal is not to demonstrate how many difficult words you know; it is to communicate your ideas accurately and naturally.

Is self-editing enough before publishing?

Self-editing is an important stage, but it does not necessarily replace professional editing. You should first review your own manuscript, then determine whether you need developmental editing, copyediting, line editing or proofreading.

How many times should I revise my manuscript?

There is no universal number. The manuscript determines the amount of revision required. A book with major structural problems may need substantial rewriting, while another manuscript may need lighter revision.

What should I do immediately after finishing my first draft?

Don’t assume the manuscript is publication-ready simply because you have reached the final chapter. Take a fresh look at the entire manuscript, identify structural and content problems, revise it, verify important information and seek appropriate feedback or professional editing.

---

About the Author

Olayinka Joseph is an author, minister of the gospel and publishing practitioner. He began his self-publishing journey in 2017 and has since written more than 80 books across different subjects and formats.

Through Creativity Publications, he shares practical lessons from writing, editing, publishing, web development and the experience of building books from ideas into finished products.

His approach is simple: write useful books, communicate clearly, and keep learning from the process.