Posted on September 15th, 2025

 

So, you’ve finally sat down to write that novel you’ve been daydreaming about for years.

The ideas are flying, the keyboard's getting a workout, and everything feels like it's falling into place.

But here’s the catch—creativity alone doesn’t carry a story to the finish line.

The real challenge? Turning that wild rush of ideas into something people actually want to read. That’s where most new authors slip.

They charge ahead, full of passion, but miss the small things that keep readers turning the page.

You don’t need to be perfect—but you do need to be clear, consistent, and in control of the story you’re telling.

That’s easier said than done when you're deep in your own head, tangled in plot twists and character arcs only you fully understand. If your reader needs a compass to follow along, something’s off.

And pacing? That’s another beast. Some stories drag, others sprint. The trick is knowing when to pull back or push forward. This isn’t about rules—it’s about rhythm. And if you're not careful, even the best ideas can lose steam halfway through.

Want to avoid those traps? Let’s talk about the mistakes that trip up even the most passionate writers—and how to dodge them before they flatten your story.

 

The Biggest Mistakes That Aspiring Authors Make

Writing a book sounds like a creative dream—until you're far enough in it, wondering why your story feels like it's dragging, stalling, or spiraling off course.

Most new authors don’t lack imagination; they just fall into the same avoidable traps that weaken their work before it has a chance to shine.

The first trap is unclear storytelling. You might see the big picture in your head, but if that vision doesn't translate clearly to the page, readers will get lost.

Confusing scenes, vague motives, or poorly explained settings leave them working too hard to stay interested. Your job isn’t to handhold, but if your audience has to reread a paragraph to figure out what’s happening, you’ve already lost momentum.

Next is uneven pacing. Some writers rush through key moments; others overstay their welcome in scenes that don’t do much. Both problems hurt the flow.

Pacing should match the emotion of the story—not every chapter needs to sprint, but nothing should crawl either. If a scene doesn't move the story or the characters forward, it's just dead weight.

Here are four of the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make:

• Writing without a clear narrative

• Letting the pacing stall or spiral

• Skipping structure or relying on a loose sequence of events

• Failing to develop characters beyond surface-level traits

Structure is often treated like an afterthought, but it’s the spine of your story. Without it, even strong scenes feel disjointed.

A good structure creates momentum, supports your themes, and helps characters evolve naturally. Writing chapter to chapter without knowing how the parts connect makes it easy to lose track of what the story is actually about.

And then there’s character development. Many new writers focus so much on plot they forget to ask: what does this person want, and how are they changing?

Readers invest in people, not just events. If your characters don’t have real depth—flaws, decisions, internal shifts—they’ll come off as flat, no matter how clever your plot is.

These mistakes don’t mean your story is doomed. They just mean there’s work to do. Spotting the weak points early gives you a much better shot at creating something worth finishing—and remembering.

 

How to Avoid The Most Common Mistakes Aspiring Authors Make

Now that we’ve covered what can go wrong, let’s talk about how to keep things on track.

Avoiding the most common writing mistakes doesn’t require perfection—it just takes a little awareness and a lot of editing.

The good news? These problems show up in almost every first draft. The trick is knowing what to look for before hitting publish.

Start with the narrative. If your story feels foggy or drifts from its main idea, you probably don’t have a clear narrative thread.

This doesn’t mean sticking to a formula—it means knowing what your story is really about and making sure every scene ties back to that central point.

Ask yourself: what’s the main conflict? What does your protagonist want? If the answers are vague, tighten them up. Writing a quick one-paragraph summary of your book can help reveal where things are slipping off course.

Next, keep a close eye on pacing. You can have a brilliant plot and still lose readers if the rhythm feels off. Pacing isn’t about action versus stillness—it’s about balance. Readers need space to breathe, but not to stall.

Read your manuscript out loud. Are there parts that drag or rush by too fast? Try rearranging scenes or trimming internal monologues that go nowhere. Break longer chapters with natural cliffhangers to keep the momentum alive.

Structure is where a lot of drafts fall apart. It’s not just about order—it’s about impact. A well-structured story guides the reader, raises the stakes, and builds to something meaningful. If your plot feels like a string of disconnected events, zoom out.

Look at your story in three acts (or whatever framework works for you) and pinpoint what’s driving each part. Use a whiteboard or index cards if needed. Structure isn’t rigid—it’s scaffolding.

And don’t let your characters flatline. If they only serve the plot, they’ll feel more like props than people. Dig deeper. What’s their flaw? What are they afraid of? How do they change?

Even small shifts can make a character feel alive. Keep a separate character sheet if it helps. And remember, your characters don’t need to be likable—they need to be believable.

Fixing these four areas doesn’t just strengthen your story—it turns a rough draft into something worth finishing.

 

Book Writing Tips to Market Your Book Without Feeling Like a Salesperson

Finishing your manuscript might feel like crossing the finish line—but publishing is only half the story. Marketing is where many self-published authors fall short.

You can write a brilliant book, but if no one hears about it, it won’t find its readers. Marketing doesn’t mean selling out; it means making sure the right people know your book exists.

The first step is knowing who those people are. Broadly targeting “anyone who likes to read” won’t cut it. Define your audience.

What genres do they follow? What other authors do they read? Where do they hang out online? The clearer your reader profile, the sharper your marketing will be.

When you understand your audience, you can tailor your efforts instead of shouting into the void.

Here are four smart book marketing tips:

• Create an author website that reflects your voice and genre.

• Use social media to build relationships, not just pitch your book.

• Collect and share honest reviews from early readers.

• Start a newsletter to stay in touch with your audience between releases.

A strong author brand starts with consistency. Your website should be more than a static bio—it’s your digital storefront.

Share behind-the-scenes content, your writing process, or blog posts that cover your book’s themes. Match your tone across platforms so readers instantly recognize your voice, whether they see a tweet or a book cover.

Social media isn’t just for announcements. Think of it as a conversation, not a loudspeaker. Respond to comments. Join discussions in your genre’s niche.

Readers are more likely to support an author they’ve connected with, even casually. And don’t wait for people to stumble onto your book—reach out to bloggers, podcasters, and small influencers who already talk to your target audience.

Reviews are another underrated tool. A few well-placed reader reviews can build more trust than any ad.

Make it easy for readers to leave one—send follow-up messages after purchases or offer free copies to beta readers in exchange for honest feedback. You don’t need dozens—just a few strong, thoughtful ones go a long way.

Finally, keep the connection going. A newsletter gives you a direct line to readers who already care. Share updates, sneak peeks, or even personal notes. It’s less about marketing and more about building a community.

That’s how you turn a one-time reader into a lifelong fan.

 

Get Help Self-Publishing Your Book from Kaye Jeter

You’ve put in the time, the energy, and the late nights. Now your manuscript is more than just an idea—it’s a book in progress.

But as every author quickly learns, getting it written is only half the battle. Publishing takes planning. Marketing takes strategy. And the whole process? It’s a lot to manage on your own.

That’s why we built our Stuck on Start course—to give aspiring authors like you a clear, supportive way to move forward. This six-session experience isn’t just theory.

It’s packed with real-world strategies, personal feedback, and tools that help you avoid the common missteps we’ve covered: from shaky structure and uneven pacing to publishing headaches and marketing mistakes.

Inside the course, you’ll learn how to sharpen your story, publish with confidence, and build an audience that sticks around. No matter if you're stuck in chapter three or staring down the publishing process with no roadmap, this is your next step.

We’ve helped writers at every stage turn unfinished drafts into published books—and we can help you do the same.

Have questions or want to talk through your goals? Reach out anytime at [email protected]. 

You don’t need to do this alone. Let’s get your book into readers’ hands—and do it right.