Common Mistakes Novice Authors Make
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- October 3, 2024
Having a love for writing means you’re probably aiming to build a career as an author. Embarking on this kind of journey is exciting but can be intimidating for some.
As a novice in this niche, you are in fierce competition. Considering how many authors there are, becoming a successful one means you’ll need to avoid some of the common mistakes.
Some of these are benign and won’t cause too much harm. On the other hand, some can cripple your career, which is why you’ll need to be mindful of them.
To help you with that, today’s guide will cover some of the most common mistakes novice authors make and how to avoid them.
Don’t Ignore Feedback
As you’re writing or nearing the competition process, you may allow some people to get a sneak peek into your work. You will probably get some feedback, something you shouldn’t ignore if you want to improve your writing. Even if you’ve already published a few books, the feedback can help you improve.
Some may see the feedback as a criticism aimed at hurting your ego. You may find yourself in that kind of situation, but at the end of the day, some will give you some feedback to help you improve things. It doesn’t matter what the feedback is about; as long as it’s sound, you should utilize it to refine your work.
Avoiding Revisions
Novice authors are pretty excited to see their first book and often skip some steps. In this case, the steps in question are the revisions. The first draft version of the manuscript is rarely the final version, meaning you’ll be making changes. You may need to make smaller or larger revisions depending on your writing.
Regardless of what kind of revisions you’ll need to make, keeping them in mind is essential. Even if you’re the only one who has access to the manuscript, reading through it may reveal some areas that need improvements. With each revision, you’re getting closer to perfecting the manuscript.
Improper Research
Many novice authors believe that writing fiction means everything is made up, so there’s no need for research. While that may be true, there may be some areas where it’s a good idea to do some research. Adding a dash of reality to a fiction book can help make it more engaging.
The importance of research becomes bigger when it comes to non-fiction. In this case, you’ll need to be more precise and ensure you’re getting all the facts right. Inaccuracies in your work mean you did a sloppy research job, which can impact the book’s success and you as the author.
Neglecting the Target Audience
Another common mistake novice writers make is neglecting the target audience. As a writer, you’re writing out of love for it, but at the end of the day, you still want the piece published and loved by the public. Writing it to appeal to to you is a good start, but you should also consider your potential readers.
You’ll need to research your target audience and consider that information when you’re writing it. The target audience will somewhat influence the style and tone, so it’s essential not to neglect this part.
This can also help when it comes to getting your book published and choosing the right publishing and marketing strategy. Different target groups will mean different strategies and, in some cases, even different cover designs.
Rushing the Process
Thinking you have the manuscript perfected and ready to go live is an area where many authors make mistakes. Seeing your masterpiece live is exciting, but it can also lead to trying to publish an unprepared piece. This can cause some problems, especially if you’re going after the self-publishing option.
A poorly prepared manuscript means you’ll either need to make additional changes and revisions, or, in some cases, it may go live. If you’re going through a publishing company, you’ll either get rejected or have plenty of modifications to make, meaning you’ll be wasting time. With the self-publishing option, the unprepared piece may get published, so now you have a poorly written manuscript with your name on it.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help
It’s understandable to be eager and energetic about publishing your book. As a novice author, believing you can handle the process is commendable, but it can also cause problems. Thinking you can do everything yourself will show you that you need help, and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it.
It doesn’t matter if you ask a more experienced writer about your writing style or the publishing process; asking for help is the best way to ensure you’re publishing a good piece of content.
As a novice author, seeing your book published is a dream come true. However, the excitement sometimes causes people to rush into things, which results in mistakes. Recognizing and avoiding these mistakes is the best way to ensure you’ll grow as an author.
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