The Most Common Mistakes Authors Make

Starting to write before they clearly understand what the book is really about

Not the topic—but the core promise to the reader.

What this looks like in practice

• The story wanders or feels unfocused

• Themes are introduced but not developed

• The ending feels disconnected or unsatisfying

• Readers say: “I liked parts of it, but I’m not sure what it was trying to say”

This happens to first-time and experienced writers alike.

Why this mistake happens

Writers often:

• Fall in love with scenes, characters, or ideas

• Discover the story as they write—which is natural

• Assume clarity will “appear later” during revision

But without a clear spine, revision becomes endless and painful.

The fix (simple but powerful)

Before—or early during—writing, be able to answer one sentence clearly:

“This book is about ____ and it leaves the reader feeling/thinking ____.”

For fiction:

• What does the protagonist want, lose, or learn?

• What question does the story answer by the final page?

For nonfiction:

• What problem does the reader have on page 1?

• How are they changed by the last chapter?

If you can’t answer that cleanly, the book will struggle—no matter how good the prose is

Other very common mistakes (but secondary)

• Overwriting early drafts instead of finishing the book

• Explaining instead of dramatizing (telling instead of showing)

• Ignoring pacing (great ideas buried in slow sections)

• Trying to please everyone instead of a specific reader

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