The 5 Most Common Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Let’s face it: writing can be an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, you’re convinced you’re the next literary genius; the next, you’re Googling “how to know if your book is trash.” We’ve all been there. The truth is, every writer—yes, even the greats—makes mistakes. But here’s the good news: most of these mistakes are totally fixable. And no, it doesn’t require selling your soul or deleting your manuscript in a fit of despair.

Let’s dive into five of the most common writing hiccups and how to handle them with grace (and maybe a little caffeine).

1. The Overload of Info-Dumping

Imagine meeting someone for the first time, and within five minutes, they’re telling you their entire life story, complete with the names of their childhood pets. Overwhelming, right? Info-dumping in your writing is the same thing. You want readers intrigued, not running for the hills.

How to Fix It:

• Weave details into action or dialogue. Instead of saying, “Jenna was an astrophysicist with a tragic past,” show her nervously twisting her wedding ring as she explains quantum mechanics to a room of skeptics.

• Keep readers curious. Sprinkle in backstory bit by bit—like breadcrumbs leading them deeper into your story.

  
  

2. Flat Characters

If your protagonist feels more like a cardboard cutout than a three-dimensional human, readers won’t care what happens to them. And if they don’t care, they won’t keep reading. Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely.

How to Fix It:

• Give your characters flaws, quirks, and contradictions. Maybe your hero has a fear of public speaking but secretly dreams of giving a TED Talk.

• Make sure every character wants something, even if it’s just a sandwich. Motivation drives action, and action makes your characters come alive.

  
  

3. A Plot That Drags (or Zooms By)

Pacing is tricky. Too slow, and your readers will check out. Too fast, and they’ll feel like they’re trying to follow a caffeine-fueled toddler through a theme park. Neither is ideal.

How to Fix It:

• Use scenes to balance tension and release. High-stakes moments need quieter beats to let readers catch their breath.

• Evaluate each scene: Does it move the story forward or reveal something crucial? If not, it might be time to kill your darlings (figuratively, of course).

  
  

4. Overwriting

Let’s call this the “I’m trying too hard” syndrome. You know the type: sentences so flowery they practically need pruning, or metaphors so elaborate they’d confuse a philosophy professor. It’s okay—we’ve all been there.

How to Fix It:

• Be ruthless in your edits. Ask yourself, “Does this sentence serve the story, or am I just showing off?”

• Embrace simplicity. Sometimes, “It was raining” is all you need.

  
  

5. Neglecting the Ending

Endings are hard. By the time you get there, you’re exhausted, and the temptation to slap on a “happily ever after” or a dramatic twist for the sake of it is real. But a rushed or unsatisfying ending can undo all the good work that came before it.

How to Fix It:

• Think of your ending as a payoff. Whatever you’ve set up throughout the story, deliver on it—emotionally, thematically, and plot-wise.

• Give yourself time. Endings benefit from distance, so step away for a bit before you tackle revisions.

  
  

A Final Challenge for You

Now that you know the five most common writing mistakes, here’s your mission (should you choose to accept it): pick one of these mistakes and do a mini-audit of your current project. Are you info-dumping? Is your pacing off? Be honest—it’s the only way to grow as a writer. And remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

Writing is messy, beautiful, and occasionally maddening, but the fact that you’re here, learning and improving, speaks volumes. Keep going—you’ve got this (and if you need a cheerleader or an editor, you know where to find me).

Need More Help?

If you’re looking to dive deeper into these writing challenges and refine your craft even further, check out these books that tackle some of the most common writing mistakes head-on:

• The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickham

This book identifies and provides solutions for frequent pitfalls in fiction writing, including info-dumping, flat characters, pacing issues, and overwriting. A must-read for those looking to avoid the most common writing errors.

• The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

Struggling with flat characters? This resource will help you add depth and emotional expression to your characters, making them more relatable and real.

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

A fantastic resource for handling pacing and plotting issues, Save the Cat! provides a clear, structured approach to creating compelling stories that keep readers hooked.

Remember, every writer faces challenges, but with the right tools and resources, you can overcome them and continue to grow in your craft. Happy writing!