Writing your first book is a huge accomplishment, but the journey doesn’t stop there. As an indie author, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. Looking back, I can see where I could have saved time, energy, and frustration if I had approached things differently. In this post, I’m sharing the five biggest writing mistakes I made so that you can learn from them and avoid falling into the same traps.
1. Taking Too Long to Write My First Few Books
One of my biggest mistakes was how long it took me to write my first few books. Life circumstances played a role—I was balancing writing with raising a small child—but looking back, I see that my writing process was inefficient.
Each book took years to complete because I hadn’t yet honed my outlining and drafting skills. In fact, I had to scrap an entire 70,000-word draft of my second book because I realized too late that it wasn’t working. Over time, I’ve learned to streamline my process, plan better, and trust my instincts sooner.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Set realistic writing goals and deadlines.
- Develop an outlining system that works for you.
- Be open to adapting your process as you learn what works best.
2. Not Promoting My Books Enough
When I published my first book, I barely talked about it. I thought simply writing and publishing a book was enough—but I quickly learned that’s not how book sales happen. I mentioned it once or twice, assumed people would just find it, and then moved on.
Now, I realize how important marketing is. Publishing a book is a big deal, and it deserves to be celebrated and shared. It wasn’t until my third book that I truly embraced the need for promotion.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Talk about your book often—before, during, and after launch.
- Use social media, email newsletters, and other platforms to spread the word.
- Don’t be afraid to celebrate your accomplishment!
3. Ignoring My Gut Feeling About a Story
With my second book, I knew halfway through the first draft that I didn’t like my main character. Instead of stopping to reassess, I pushed through and finished the draft—only for my editor to confirm what I already knew: the character wasn’t working. This led to me scrapping the entire draft and starting over.
I’ve since learned to trust my instincts. If something feels off in my writing, I pause, reassess, and seek outside input before I invest too much time in a direction that doesn’t feel right.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Listen to your gut if something feels off.
- Get feedback early in the process from beta readers or editors.
- Be willing to pivot when necessary.
4. Not Taking Myself Seriously as an Author
For a long time, I struggled to call myself an author. I downplayed my accomplishments and didn’t give my writing the time and attention it deserved. I treated it like a hobby instead of a career, and that held me back.
It wasn’t until my second and third books that I fully embraced my identity as a writer. Now, I prioritize my writing, make time for it, and proudly claim my role as an author.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Own your title—if you write, you’re a writer.
- Prioritize your writing time and treat it like a job.
- Believe in the value of your work.
5. Not Reading Enough
I used to think that taking writing courses was enough, but I didn’t read as much as I should have—both in my genre and outside of it. I missed out on learning valuable storytelling techniques, understanding market trends, and discovering what readers expect from my genre.
Now, I make reading a priority. I choose books that entertain me and also help me grow as a writer, whether they’re fiction, industry-related non-fiction, or business books about publishing.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Read widely, both inside and outside your genre.
- Study books that are successful in your niche.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes are a natural part of the writing journey, but learning from them is what helps us grow. Each book I’ve written has taught me something new, and I’m sure I’ll continue to make (and learn from) mistakes in the future.
If you want to follow along with my writing journey—including the mistakes I’m making as I write my first urban fantasy series—join my email list! I share behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks, and insights into my creative process.
