As a professional book editor, I’ve seen my fair share of writing mistakes, but there are a few that come up quite often. Of course, I come across grammatical errors, but this article is focused on some of the bigger-picture issues. Here are five of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen new writers make and how to avoid them.
1. Inconsistent POV
New writers often shift unintentionally between points of view (POV), which is confusing for readers. The basic POVs are first (I, me, my), second (you), and third (he, she, they).
For example, a writer may start an example in the first person and suddenly shift into the second person. In some cases, they may even shift back into first person again:
Let’s say I run a small marketing agency and have recently hired two employees. Despite their capabilities, I struggle to delegate tasks to them. I insist on handling client emails, project updates, and even minor graphic design edits myself. As a result, you become overwhelmed and begin missing deadlines. Your team feels underutilized, but you fear losing control if you hand over responsibility. The business starts to stagnate because you can’t focus on growth strategies. Learning to delegate would allow me to free up time and trust my team, improving overall efficiency.
See how this example is difficult to follow? The example should either be totally in first person or totally in second person POV.
That’s not to say that the entire book has to stay within one point of view. In nonfiction, POV may shift throughout the book during different anecdotes and examples. The key is that these POV shifts are intentional and clear. In fiction, the POV should generally remain the same throughout the book unless there are multiple narrators.
2. Using Cliches and Stereotypes
Writers who use cliches risk sounding like a broken record. After all, variety is the spice of life, so try to change things up.
In all seriousness, cliches are expressions that have been overused to the point of losing their original meanings. They can make a writer seem unimaginative and lacking originality.
An exception to this rule would be when a writer turns a cliche or stereotype on its head. A fantastic example of this is Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In this classic novel, Austen masterfully challenges stereotypes related to social class, gender, and character roles.
Here are some common cliches:
- Better late than never.
- You can’t judge a book by its cover.
- What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
- Actions speak louder than words.
3. Trying to Write for Everyone
Sometimes, new writers make the mistake of trying to write for everyone. Instead, they should write for their target audience. The first step is defining their target audience. Who are they writing for, and why? Where would this book be shelved in a library or bookstore? Would it be read by people in their mid-twenties? Forties? Retirees?
Writers should keep their target audience in mind as they write, as well as when they market their books later on. What content would be most appealing to your target audience? What knowledge does your target audience already have on the topic?
Here’s an example of this to illustrate my point: An author is writing a book on how to open a hotel. As they write, they decide that their book may also be useful for people who already own a hotel, so they begin to add in more content about improving an existing hotel. They later decide that the book could also help hotel owners decide whether to continue operating their hotel or sell it. They add content on how to make this decision and even some tips on securing a successful sale.
Now, their book is less useful for people who are opening a hotel, while also being marginally useful for people who own a hotel and who may want to sell their hotel. Instead, the writer should have focused solely on their target audience of people who want to open a hotel. Their other ideas could be stored away in a notepad or Google Doc and saved for later books, each geared to their own specific audiences.
4. Revising While Writing
Many new writers are tempted to stop as they write to read over their work and revise. This often turns into a cycle of rereading and rewriting that is tough to break and hinders progress. As hard as it may be, it’s crucial to silence this voice and continue writing. There will be plenty of time to revise and edit later. What’s important now is keeping momentum.
In On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King recommends writers spend a minimum of six weeks away from their completed manuscripts before revising. During those six weeks, he says they should shift their focus entirely to another project. The key is that they give themselves some time to really separate from their work, so they can come back with fresh eyes.
5. Skipping the Editing Process
Some new writers skip editing altogether, or they skimp on it, doing one read-through and fixing any typos they notice. Revising and editing are essential parts of the writing process, and they must be prioritized.
Writers should spend nearly just as much time on revising and editing as they do on writing—in some cases, more. But they don’t have to do this on their own. Hiring a book editor is the simplest and most effective way to ensure their manuscript is the best it can be.
Read more on what a professional book editor does in the article linked here. Essentially, an editor’s job is to turn a writer’s manuscript into a polished, finished product that is ready for self-publishing or querying (for those seeking traditional publishing).
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Owner of Aha! Editorial
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