The Top 10 Common Writing Mistakes in Self-Published Manuscripts

6 min readAug 4, 2024

Sometimes it takes a fresh eye to spot your mistakes…

Self-publishing offers you the incredible opportunity to share your stories with the world without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing.

However, it also means that self-published authors have to ensure their work is polished and professional.

One of the best ways to do this is by avoiding common writing mistakes that can detract from your manuscript’s quality.

Take a look at the top 10 mistakes I frequently encounter and how professional editing and/or proofreading can help address them.

1. Inconsistent Point of View

Switching point of view (POV) haphazardly can confuse readers and disrupt the narrative flow.

Whether you’re writing in first person, third person limited, or third person omniscient, consistency is key.

A professional editor can help identify and correct these shifts, ensuring a smooth and coherent perspective throughout your story.

So start searching for editors who edit the kind of books you write. It’s an invaluable investment that can potentially boost your book sales.

2. Weak Character Development

Characters are the heart of your story. Flat, underdeveloped characters can make your narrative feel lifeless.

Make sure each of your character has a distinct voice, clear motivations, and personal growth.

An editor can provide feedback on character arcs and suggest ways to make your characters more dynamic and relatable.

Breathe life into your characters by using books like Writer’s Guide to Character Traits. As a writer and editor, it’s been invaluable in helping me creating living, breathing characters that feel real and relatable.

3. Plot Holes and Inconsistencies

Plot holes and inconsistencies can ruin the believability of your story.

These can be anything from a character’s sudden, unexplained change in behavior to a crucial detail that contradicts earlier events.

A professional editor will meticulously track these elements and suggest revisions to maintain a logical and engaging plot.

Check out Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. It helped me learn plot and structure back when I was a newbie writer.

4. Overuse of Clichés

Clichés can make your writing feel stale and unoriginal.

Phrases like “as busy as a bee” or “it was a dark and stormy night” have been overused to the point of losing their impact.

A professional editor can help you identify clichés and suggest more original ways to convey your ideas.

I always find myself trying to come up with fresh takes on old clichés.

Try coming up with a few of your own.

Here are some examples:

Cliché: Busy as a bee.
Rewritten: Busy as a coffee shop on a Monday morning.
Cliché: Light as a feather.
Rewritten: Light as a snowflake dancing on the wind.
Cliché: Strong as an ox.
Rewritten: Strong as the roots of a mighty Oak.
Cliché: Every cloud has a silver lining.
Rewritten: Even the darkest of nights gives way to the dawn.
Cliché: Quiet as a mouse.
Rewritten: Quiet as the whispers in a library

You get the idea. Make up some of your own when you’re writing and it’ll come across a lot fresher. And provide a bigger impact than a cliché ever could.

5. Excessive Backstory

While backstory is important, dumping too much information at once can overwhelm readers and slow down the plot.

Instead, weave backstory into the narrative naturally. An editor can help balance the backstory with the main action, ensuring your readers remain engaged.

I recently read a sample of a novel on Facebook in an author group and the novel began with the MC’s son getting rushed to the hospital. In the middle of this incredibly intense event, the author proceeds to write about the whole backstory between her and her husband and how they’re high school sweethearts and on and on.

I couldn’t continue reading. And the sad part is it’s not the only self-published book I’ve tried to read like that.

If you’ve never had a professional editor read your book, and you made this mistake, it’s probably time to find one. While you might find some readers that can ignore it, you’ll never see massive success with a poorly written novel.

6. Poor Dialogue

Dialogue should sound natural and reflect the character’s personality and background. Stilted, unrealistic dialogue can break immersion and make characters feel inauthentic.

Read your work aloud or have someone read it with you so you can tell what things sound natural and what things don’t.

Hiring an editor can help you refine your dialogue, making it more believable and impactful.

7. Repetitive Language

Using the same words or phrases repeatedly can make your writing monotonous.

Vary your word choice and sentence structure to keep the reader interested.

Eliminating these repetitions and finding alternatives can enrich your writing.

If you have the same word more than once in a sentence, it’s too much.

8. Weak Beginnings and Endings

The beginning of your book needs to hook readers, while the ending should provide a satisfying conclusion.

Weak openings can fail to draw readers in, and unsatisfying endings can leave them disappointed.

Professional editors can offer insights into making your opening more compelling and your ending more fulfilling.

They can help you find ways to tie up loose ends and smooth out the story so that it reads like a professionally published book.

Check out Conflict, Action & Suspense to make sure the structure of your book is sound.

You can also browse your local bookstore or online to see options that suit you better. But this one’s been on my bookshelf for over a decade and I still reference it.

9. Inconsistent Tone and Style

Maintaining a consistent tone and style throughout your manuscript is crucial for a cohesive reading experience.

Sudden shifts can confuse readers and disrupt the narrative flow.

Ensure that your tone and style are consistent to enhance the overall readability of your book.

If you need help, seek the professional services of a book editor.

10. Grammar and Punctuation Errors

Nothing screams unprofessionalism more than a manuscript riddled with grammar and punctuation errors.

These mistakes can distract readers and undermine your credibility as a writer.

A thorough proofreading by a professional editor will catch these errors, ensuring your manuscript is polished and professional.

I have a few books on Editing and Proofreading that have proved to be amazing tools over the years.

Get better with grammar and spelling with these books and self-edit prior to sending your book off to a professional editor and/or proofreader.

Ready to Get Your Manuscript Edited?

Avoiding these common writing mistakes is essential for producing a high-quality, professional manuscript.

While self-editing is an important first step, a professional editor brings a fresh perspective and expert knowledge to refine your work further.

Investing in professional editing services can transform your manuscript, making it more engaging, coherent, and ready for publication.

With expertise in romance, drama, and comedy genres, I can help you polish your story and bring out its full potential.

Contact me today to learn how to take the next step towards publishing a book you can be proud of.

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