I can tell that writing a first book is an exciting milestone because I’ve been there. The process often begins with a strong, irresistible idea hitting you in an unforgettable manner. You just feel you must share it with the world. It could be a personal story or something someone just shared with you. It could also be a deep knowledge whose democratisation, you have convinced yourself, would benefit the world. And so, you decide that a book is necessary. However, the idea is not the end of the story in putting a compelling book out; there are some avoidable traps that can cause you to struggle if you do not anticipate them from the outset.
Let me share ten of those errors with you in this newsletter in case you have decided to “eat the frog” and get that book done in 2026! Taking note of these common mistakes, some of which regular readers of my newsletter may have encountered before, will save you time, money and much frustration.
Here are the ten mistakes and how you can avoid them.
•Writing Without a Clear Purpose
The first thing is that many new authors start writing without clarity about why they are writing the book. Are you doing the book to set an agenda, influence policy, build your credibility, start a new line or business or just share your story to inspire others? If you do not make up your mind about this, the book will, at some point, appear unfocused even to you, and you may get frustrated.
Advice:
Before you start writing, define your primary goal and plan every chapter to serve the purpose of that goal.
• Trying to Say Everything at Once
First-time authors also tend to want to pour their entire life story or professional experience into a single book. You must watch out for this because it usually results in an overloaded manuscript that overwhelms readers.
Advice:
Focus on the central idea or promise you plan to deliver. Remember that if you do well with this, you can always write more books.
• Writing for “Everyone”
Many of us make the mistake of thinking that our book will appeal to everyone; that is not possible. In fact, when you write for everyone, you end up writing for no one, so avoid that trap of thinking your book can be a solution to the problem of everyone in the world.
Advice: Finding your ideal audience should be one of your preliminary considerations before you start writing. Picture one ideal reader and write as if you are speaking directly to that person.
• Skipping the Outline
I have heard writers argue that drawing outlines kills creativity. I do not think so. I know that some writers, especially those with experience, do well as flying “by the seat of their pants,” but first-time writers should do themselves the favour of having some guiding structure. It helps avoid unfinished, scattered manuscripts.
Advice:
Create a chapter outline before you begin. Although this will serve as a roadmap, you can always change direction when you see the need, but you should not start without an idea of where you are going.
•Overediting too early
Many new authors edit by the sentence! Most authors will stop at every paragraph to edit, polish, and fine-tune. This will slow down your momentum if not totally kill your confidence. As I have said many times, perfection doesn’t exist anywhere, and getting better is a journey that you must take one day at a time, so do yourself that favour.
Advice:
Writing and editing are separate processes; kindly separate them while writing. It’s fine if your first draft is messy, just focus on progress and get it done.
•Underestimating the Time Commitment
Know from the start that writing a book takes a lot of time and discipline, much more than people imagine. Prepare yourself for that so you do not lose steam halfway through the mission.
Advice:
Set realistic goals and don’t push yourself too hard. Daily, weekly, or even monthly goals are okay. Treat the time you set like appointments you cannot miss, but by all means, set targets that won’t push you off the edge.
7. Ignoring Professional Editing
After writing, you need proper editing. Some writers think they are so good that mere spellchecking their work is enough. It is not! Poor editing can undermine the very best writing and ideas, and you cannot do it all by yourself.
Advice:
Editing is a key part of the book-writing process, so budget for it. A well-edited first book helps build trust in your ability, and it gives you credibility with readers. Get professional help.
8. Poor Book Positioning
The place of your book on the shelf is not a decision you take when your book gets out of the press; it is one of the very fundamental considerations at inception. Many first-time authors don’t think about their book’s positioning, but they should, and it should affect their title, subtitle, cover, and marketing plan. It is an important factor.
Advice: Ponder what book you are writing and what shelf it belongs on from the beginning. Think about similar books and where they stand, and let that guide every decision.
9. Neglecting the Reader Experience
When writing a book, kindly consider your reader’s experience. One expects this to be a natural consideration for subsequent books, but when writing your first book, understand that long paragraphs, dense language, and hazy transitions can put readers off. You are not writing for yourself, so consider your readers.
Advice
Use short paragraphs, clear examples, and practical takeaways. Make your book as easy and enjoyable to read as possible.
10. Expecting the Book to “Sell Itself”
Many first-time authors believe that the job ends with publishing their book, but it doesn’t. You didn’t just write your book to keep it on the shelves, did you? So, you must get the book into the reader’s hands, and no one has more at stake on this front than you. Getting the book out of the press is no time to rest.
Advice
Have a plan for promoting your book before publishing. Consider reviews, newspaper and online articles, social media exposures, reading tours, speaking engagements and partnerships that support your book.
With my first book, Ladies Calling the Shots, I explored various levels of partnership. I visited higher institutions offering films and related courses. I celebrated the International Day for the Girl Child with some secondary schools and held reading sessions with different groups of people within my target readership. I have replicated this with some of my other books, and you can do it too.
In the final analysis, know that writing your first book is as strategic as it is creative. It might just be the pathway to another career, and how well you do it may determine your chances. Avoiding these mistakes will make your journey far more rewarding, even if it requires a lot of effort.
Clarity, structure, and the right support can make your first book a tool for reinvention, influence and legacy. You cannot afford to sleep on it, as they say.
If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, the best time to start is not when everything feels perfect, but when you’re prepared to do it well.
If you think you need help, let’s talk about it. Simply reply to this email with the word HELP, and we will take it off from there.
Niran Adedokun,
Writer | Communications Strategist | Book Strategist | Author of “Every Journalist Should Write a Book
