Top 10 Mistakes First-Time Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Writing your first book is exciting… until you hit a wall of overwhelm. The blinking cursor. The doubts. The messy outline. The “what was I thinking?” spiral.

The good news? You’re not alone — and the roadblocks are often predictable.

At Write Out Loud Publishing, we help Christian authors go from idea to impact, and we’ve seen the same avoidable mistakes trip up new authors again and again.

Let’s walk through the Top 10 Mistakes first-time authors make — and how to avoid each one.

🚫 1. Trying to Write to Everyone

If you’re trying to reach everyone, you’ll reach no one.
Many new authors write in vague, general language, afraid of being too specific — but it’s the specifics that create connection.

✅ Do this instead: Identify your ideal reader. What do they struggle with? What do they desire? Speak directly to them like you're writing a letter to one person.

🚫 2. Choosing the Title Too Early

You picked the title… now you're trying to force your content to fit it. This limits creativity and can result in a mismatch between your message and your reader’s expectations.

✅ Do this instead: Write the book first. Then revisit the title once the message is clear. Titles should reflect the transformation your reader will experience.

🚫 3. Writing Without an Outline

Writing without a roadmap leads to circular chapters, scattered ideas, and frustrating rewrites.

✅ Do this instead: Create a flexible chapter-by-chapter outline based on the transformation you want the reader to experience from start to finish.

🚫 4. Editing While You Write

Perfectionism is the #1 killer of momentum. Don’t try to write and edit at the same time — they’re different brain functions.

✅ Do this instead: Write your “ugly” first draft without judgment. Then go back and shape it with clarity and polish.

🚫 5. Thinking You Can Do It Alone

We get it — you're scrappy and smart. But writing a book is a marathon, not a solo sprint. You need community, feedback, and guidance.

✅ Do this instead: Surround yourself with writing support — a coach, a publishing team, or even an accountability partner. (We do all three.)

🚫 6. Ignoring the Reader’s Transformation

This isn't just your story — it’s the reader’s journey. If they don’t walk away changed, the book didn’t fulfill its purpose.

✅ Do this instead: For every chapter, ask:

• Who is this for?
  

• What breakthrough will they experience?
  

• What’s the main takeaway?
  
  

🚫 7. Telling, Not Showing

Too many first drafts “tell” the reader what happened instead of helping them feel it.

✅ Do this instead: Use storytelling techniques. Include vivid details, emotion, conflict, and resolution to bring the reader into the moment.

🚫 8. Not Planning for Publishing Early

Writing and publishing are two different things — and if you wait until you’re done to think about next steps, you’re behind.

✅ Do this instead: Begin thinking about your launch, distribution, and marketing strategy as you write.

🚫 9. Letting Fear Lead the Process

“What if I look foolish? What if nobody buys it?”
Fear causes people to shrink their message, stall progress, or quit altogether.

✅ Do this instead: Acknowledge the fear, but don’t follow it. Remember, you're not writing for applause — you’re writing for obedience.

🚫 10. Giving Up Too Soon

Writing a book takes longer than expected. But many people stop at the 70% mark — right before it gets good.

✅ Do this instead: Set small, consistent writing goals. And ask for help. Your story is worth finishing.

📥 Want to Keep This Handy?

We’ve turned this guide into a downloadable checklist you can print, post, and use to stay on track:

👉🏾 Download the free PDF: “Top 10 Mistakes First-Time Authors Make”

Writing your first book is both holy and hard — but you don’t have to do it alone.

If you're serious about finishing strong, we’d love to walk with you.

Let’s make your message unignorable. Contact us today to get started.