Common mistakes writers make and how to fix them
Writers love their job and call it a hobby that changed into their profession once they started taking it seriously. But every craft needs regular practising and overcoming errors they come across. Writers also make mistakes. Some are known to them while a few are committed unknowingly. Whatever the case, here are common mistakes writers make and how can you fix them. Impressed? Let’s check out.
Mistakes writers make
Writers tend to skip common writing mistakes thinking they’ll not affect their craft but they do. Instead of making these mistakes a habit, it’s advisable to keep correcting them as soon as you realize you have committed one.
Revising while writing
Experts say to write your first draft in a go without checking for grammar or proofreading. Once you are done, you can start revising. But if you self-doubt, you tend to stop and check each word you write. This habit prevents you from finishing the draft. Writers are stuck in the revision cycles. But here’s a small trick:
- Set a timer for the beginning of each session and strictly revise for 10 minutes only before you start writing again.
- Make notes right into the document so that you know the places you may need to edit once you finish.
Writing for everyone
While outlining content, the writers think about the audience and in the process, they tend to impress everyone. One constant rule is that you cannot impress everyone so choose the set of audience who relates to your writing. Ask yourself a few questions before you commit mistakes writers make:
- Identify where the book would be shelved in a bookstore or library.
- If you’re writing a novel, is it a romance? Horror? Mystery?
- If nonfiction, where would it go? Walk around a bookstore and think: Where would this be shelved?
- Identify the age of your readers. Are you writing for children? Young adults? Parents? Grandparents? Retirees?
- If you’re writing a science fiction novel, this means identifying what kind of science fiction your audience likes: near future? Space travel? Time travel?
As many answers as you get, your content will be sorted.
Neglecting research
Don’t writers rush to start and finish their content and just publish it? Pause for a moment and think. Did you make your content helpful for your readers? Is your content a mix of your experiences with some facts and figures? Let’s streamline your research – Suppose you want to write a YA fantasy novel:
- Read other successful contemporary YA fantasy novels
- Learn more about contemporary teen sites/magazines, movies, etc.
- Who are the publishers who publish and agents who represent YA fantasy novels?
- How YA fantasy authors promote their work?
Not knowing when to shelve a project
One of the common mistakes writers make is not knowing when to shelve a project. The age-old tradition that most writers is to start and finish else abandon it. But it’s ok to take a break, work on another project and get back with a refreshed mind. Let’s check what can you do in the breaks from continuing your project:
- maybe spend your usual writing time journaling or writing short pieces or drafting character sketches for another project
- There’s never a better time to utilize the writing community than when you are struggling with a writing project. Take someone else’s help to brainstorm ideas for your content.
- Ask yourself: When the reader sits down and reads this, what do I want them to feel? What do I want them to take away?
Hopefully, these mistakes writers make and their solutions will help you craft better content. If you have also experienced different mistakes or ways to fix them, do share them with us in the comments.
