Every writer starts somewhere—with a spark of an idea and a blank page. But between the first draft and a polished manuscript lies a path riddled with common missteps. As a professional editor, I’ve seen the same pitfalls trip up countless talented writers. The good news? These mistakes are avoidable—and once you know what to look for, your writing will improve dramatically.
Here are the top four mistakes new writers make—and how you can steer clear of them.
1. Overwriting: More Words, Less Impact
The Mistake:
New writers often confuse powerful writing with more writing. They pile on adjectives, metaphors, and explanations, hoping to impress the reader. The result? Dense paragraphs that lose clarity and drag the pace.
Example:
“She walked slowly and hesitantly across the vast, empty, moonlit courtyard, her footsteps echoing in the haunting silence like ghostly whispers.”
Better:
“She hesitated, then crossed the moonlit courtyard. Her footsteps echoed in the silence.”
The Fix:
Trust your reader. Trim the excess. Strong writing is clean and purposeful. Aim to show, not tell, and always ask: Is this sentence moving the story forward?
2. Weak Openings: Starting in the Wrong Place
The Mistake:
Too many manuscripts begin with background info, dreams, weather descriptions, or the main character waking up. While these may feel like natural starting points, they rarely hook the reader.
The Fix:
Start in media res—in the middle of the action. Drop the reader into a moment of tension, conflict, or curiosity. You can weave in backstory later, once the reader is already invested.
Ask yourself:
What is the emotional or narrative “heartbeat” of this story?
Can I open with a scene that hints at the central conflict?
3. Flat Characters: Telling Instead of Revealing
The Mistake:
New writers often rely on labels to describe characters: “She was shy and awkward.” “He was angry.” This robs readers of the joy of discovery and reduces characters to clichés.
The Fix:
Let characters reveal themselves through behavior, dialogue, and choices. Instead of telling us someone is nervous, show us their fidgeting hands, darting eyes, or halting speech. Layer your character with contradictions and small details that make them human.
Pro Tip:
Write a scene with no exposition—just dialogue and action. Can we understand who your character is from what they do?
4. Fear of Revision: Thinking the First Draft Must Be Perfect
The Mistake:
New writers often fall into two camps: those who endlessly tweak every sentence before moving on, and those who fear revision altogether and cling to their first draft like it’s sacred.
The Fix:
Your first draft isn’t the book—it’s the beginning of the book. Great writing is rewritten. Embrace editing as a creative, liberating process. It’s where the magic happens: where themes deepen, characters sharpen, and pacing smooths out.
What helps:
Take a break after drafting. Fresh eyes will reveal what’s not working.
Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing and rhythm.
Seek feedback from beta readers or a trusted editor.
Final Thought
If you’re making these mistakes, don’t panic—every writer does at some point. Recognizing them is a sign that you’re growing. Writing is both art and craft, and mastering the craft takes practice, patience, and a bit of humility.
The next time you sit down to write, remember: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be aware.
