4 Mistakes You Cannot Afford To Make As An Author
When I was younger, I had the daily responsibility of washing the dishes. My mom was strict about it, making sure I never skipped a day. One day, a bottle was added to the pile of dishes. My mom wanted to use it for storing kitchen condiments, so I needed to clean it carefully. As I started washing, she warned me: “Don’t use soap on the bottle, or it’ll get slippery and might break, injuring you.”
I brushed off her warning, eager to finish up and get back to playing. A few minutes later, the sound of breaking glass filled the air. My mom rushed in to find blood pouring from a deep cut on my hand. After cleaning up the wound, she asked, “Did you use soap like I told you not to?” The answer was obvious. If I had listened to her advice, I could have avoided the accident entirely. The same principle applies to writing.
Just as a broken bottle can cause physical harm and leave scars, mistakes in writing can damage your reputation, strain your relationship with readers, and stifle your productivity. As an author, certain missteps can have lasting effects, especially when you’re just starting out. These mistakes are like the deep cut from that broken bottle—requiring immediate attention and potentially leading to long-term consequences if not addressed. In a previous blog post, we touched on some of these pitfalls. Today, let’s explore a few more.
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Waiting for inspiration to write: When I started out as a writer, I relied heavily on inspiration, especially in poetry. I thought I needed the muses to guide me, but they were unreliable visitors. This mindset caused my writing habit to suffer and nearly disappear. It wasn’t until I realized that inspiration is unpredictable that I broke free from this trap. As a writer, you can’t afford to wait for inspiration before you start writing. While inspiration can boost productivity, it’s not something you should depend on. Instead, create your own inspiration by writing consistently, even when you don’t feel like it. Engage in activities that spark your creativity, like taking walks, watching shows, or practicing mindfulness. Waiting for inspiration puts your writing career in the hands of three fickle muses with erratic schedules. This approach can cost you productivity, opportunities, and growth in your craft. It may also place undue pressure on you to produce perfect content when inspiration finally strikes, potentially leading to writer’s block. The key is to establish a writing schedule and stick to it. Write whatever comes to mind, research, plan, and remember that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Stop waiting for inspiration—start writing that manuscript.
Waiting for the perfect situation to write: When I began writing, I believed I needed the perfect conditions—like a dedicated writing space and long, uninterrupted blocks of time. Unfortunately, those ideal situations never materialized, and the result was endless procrastination on both my project and my skill development. After weeks of neglecting my writing, I realized that the perfect situation would never come. I had to make the best of what I had. So, I decided to write for an hour each day, broken into two 30-minute sessions—one in the morning and one in the evening. This simple shift helped me build a consistent writing habit.In your case, the “perfect situation” might mean waiting for inspiration, reading every book on writing, or watching every writing tutorial. While those actions may seem productive, they can trap you in a cycle of analysis paralysis, where you gather information but never actually put it to use. The key to overcoming this is to start small, right where you are. Commit to writing for just 15 minutes a day, no matter where you are or how inspired you feel. This practice will strengthen your writing muscles and keep you moving forward.If you’re struggling to generate original ideas, consider using writing prompts. Prompts are the literary world’s way of ensuring you’re never stuck as a writer. So, don’t wait for perfection—just start.
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Overlooking research: A well-written book often begins with thorough research. Think of research as prospecting for gold at a riverbank. It requires patience, persistence, and a solid understanding of the landscape. But when you strike gold, it’s worth every effort. As a writer, incorporating in-depth research into your process is essential. Dive into books, interview experts, and do whatever it takes to gather accurate information on your subject.A well-researched book establishes you as an authority, boosts your credibility, and allows you to bring a fresh perspective to even the most familiar topics. It can ultimately enhance your reputation and increase your bottom line. Skipping research, on the other hand, can have lasting negative consequences. So, don’t rush to start writing. Take the time to thoroughly research and plan your book. Only once you’ve gathered enough information should you begin drafting.
Editing while writing: Imagine transplanting aloe vera pups in your garden. After planting one, you go back several times to check if it’s properly placed in the earth. Each time you check, you uproot it, dig the hole a little deeper, and replant it. Do you think that aloe vera will ever have a chance to take root and grow? The answer, as you might guess, is a resounding “No.”Editing while writing is much like repeatedly checking on that newly planted aloe vera. It slows your progress, stifles creativity, and can lead to analysis paralysis. To break free from this trap, embrace the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect first draft. Mistakes are part of the process—welcome them. Write freely, and once your first draft is complete, take a break before diving into edits. This allows you to return with fresh eyes and a clear mind, which will make your editing far more effective.Consider finding an accountability partner who can help keep you focused on writing during the drafting stage, leaving editing for later. This separation of tasks can do wonders for your productivity and creativity.
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What mistakes have you encountered as a writer? How did you overcome them?
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Until next time.