Every writer starts somewhere. Whether you’re working on your first novel, drafting short stories, or dreaming of seeing your name on a book cover, the journey from aspiring writer to published author is filled with lessons. Some hard… some easy. The good news? Many of the challenges new writers face are common—and avoidable.

If you’re just beginning your writing journey, here are ten mistakes many new writers make (been there, done that) and some practical ways to steer clear of them.

1. Waiting for Inspiration to Strike

Many new writers believe they must feel inspired before they can write. Unfortunately, inspiration is unpredictable and uncontrollable.

How to avoid it:
Develop a writing habit. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to write, even when you don’t feel particularly creative. Inspiration often arrives after you’ve begun. So, put it on your calendar and make the time, just as if it were an important appointment you wouldn’t want to miss.

2. Trying to Make the First Draft Perfect

Perfectionism is one of the biggest obstacles writers often face. Spending hours polishing the first chapter while the rest of the story remains unwritten can bring progress to a dead halt.

How to avoid it:
Give yourself permission to write badly. First drafts are supposed to be messy. Focus on finishing the story first. Editing comes later… much later.

3. Overloading the Story with Information

New writers sometimes feel compelled to explain everything immediately—character histories, world-building details, and backstory.

How to avoid it:
Trust your readers. Reveal information gradually and naturally. Allow readers to discover the world and characters as the story unfolds within the pages of your book.

4. Neglecting Character Development

Readers connect with characters more than plots. Even the most exciting storyline can fall flat if the characters feel shallow or unrealistic.

How to avoid it:
Spend time understanding your characters’ motivations, fears, strengths, and flaws. Give them goals and allow them to grow throughout the story. If you need help with this, I have some great character development worksheets in my author guide, So You Want to Write a Book: An Indie Author Guide to Outlining and Planning Your Next Novel.

5. Ignoring the Importance of Revision

Finishing a first draft is a major accomplishment, but it’s only the beginning. Your first draft is never the finished product.

How to avoid it:
Accept that rewriting is part of the process. Most books go through multiple rounds of beta readers and editors. Great writing often finds its way to the page during revisions.

6. Comparing Yourself to Other Writers

It’s easy to become discouraged when comparing your work to bestselling authors or writers who seem more successful.

How to avoid it:
Remember that every writer has a different journey. Focus on improving your own craft rather than measuring yourself against someone else’s accomplishments.

7. Not Reading Enough

Some writers become so focused on producing their own work that they neglect reading. They don’t understand that reading is part of the process.

How to avoid it:
Read widely and often. Explore different genres and writing styles. Reading not only fuels creativity but also teaches valuable lessons about storytelling. It is also a very helpful tool when you do find yourself in a writing slump.

8. Trying to Please Everyone

Writing with the goal of satisfying every reader can dilute your voice and make your work feel generic.

How to avoid it:
Write the stories you’re passionate about. Your unique perspective is one of your greatest strengths, and the right readers will connect with it. You have one reader to make proud, yourself. So, write the book you want to read, and other readers will show up.

9. Giving Up Too Soon

Many aspiring authors abandon projects when they encounter setbacks, rejection, or self-doubt.

How to avoid it:
Understand that perseverance is part of being a writer. Rejections, disappointing reviews, and moments of frustration happen to every author. Success belongs to those who keep going.

10. Believing You Have to Do It Alone

Writing may be a solitary activity, but the journey doesn’t have to be lonely.

How to avoid it:
Find a writing community. Join critique groups, attend conferences, connect with other writers online, and learn from authors who have gone before you. Encouragement and accountability can make all the difference.

Here is the truth of it all…

No writer starts out knowing everything. Mistakes are part of the learning process, and every draft teaches us something new. The key isn’t avoiding every misstep—it’s continuing to grow and improve, and above all else, to keep writing.

Remember, every bestselling author was once a beginner staring at a blank page.

So give yourself grace, embrace the process, and keep putting words on the page. Your story matters, and someone out there is waiting to read it.