The Top 5 Editing Mistakes New Authors Make (And How to Fix Them!)

by Michelle Seguin

I remember the first time I sat down to edit Larger Than Life: A Mother's Love, Loss, And Her Journey Back To Living. I had poured my soul onto those pages, every tear, every raw moment, every piece of my heart. Yet, I knew the importance of editing because I was so emotionally attached to it, and I felt like I would miss simple things that I could not see through my emotions.

That’s the thing about writing. It’s vulnerable. It’s real. It’s emotional.

But the editing? I knew that was where my book would transform and take my manuscript beyond my wildest dreams. In editing, the story sharpens, the message strengthens, and the words become powerful enough to touch lives.

Unfortunately, I have seen too many new authors get stuck in the editing process or make mistakes that prevent their books from being the masterpieces they are meant to be.

So, let’s discuss the biggest editing mistakes I see and how to fix them.

1. Editing While You Write

Editing while you write is the fastest way to kill your creativity. So many authors get caught up in making the first draft perfect. They tweak sentences, rearrange paragraphs, and obsess over commas. Before they know it, they’ve lost the flow of their story.

The Fix:

Write first. Edit later. Let your first draft be a mess. That’s what it’s supposed to be. Get the story out of your head before you start fixing anything.

2. Cutting Out Too Much Emotion

Your story is powerful because it’s real. Unfortunately, so many new authors second-guess themselves. They worry their emotions are “too much” and their vulnerability will make people uncomfortable. So, they start making changes to make it “safer.” In doing so, they lose the beauty of their story.

The Fix:

Keep the raw, honest moments. If they make you uncomfortable, they probably need to be there. The right readers won’t just read the book. They will feel it. Remember, the raw, honest moments and emotions make a book unforgettable.

3. Explaining Things

One of the biggest mistakes I see is authors telling instead of showing. Instead of letting readers experience the moment, they explain it and downplay it. They do not allow the readers to entirely understand what the character is going through. This makes it challenging to keep the reader engaged and wanting to finish reading the book.

The Fix:

Instead of saying, “She was nervous,” paint a picture for the reader. Explain that she felt her stomach turning and her heartbeat in her throat making it difficult to breathe. Let the reader step into that moment and picture her precisely as she was. Let them be her.

Just saying she was nervous does not allow the reader to feel the emotions or relate to what she was going through. You become far more relatable when you explain it and paint a picture.

4. Rushing Through the Editing Process

I get it! You have written the book.

You are excited.

You want to publish it yesterday.

But let me be honest: editing is where your book is made or broken.

If you rush, you will miss typos.

You will leave in awkward sentences.

You will overlook structural issues that could’ve taken your book from good to great.

The Fix:

Take your time. Do multiple rounds of editing. The first time should be for significant structural changes, the second for tightening up the writing, and the final pass should be for typos and grammar.

It is critical to get a fresh set of eyes on it. You have read your words so often that your brain skips over mistakes. A professional editor will catch things you never noticed.

5. Thinking You Can Do It All Alone

Your book is yours—I get that—but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself.

Too many new authors try to write, edit, design, and publish their books alone. They burn out, get discouraged, or publish a book that doesn’t do their story justice.

The Fix:

It is never bad to get help.

Hire an editor.

Work with a mentor.

Join a writing group.

Have someone in your corner who believes in your story as much as you do because your book deserves to be the best version of itself, and so do you.

Final Thoughts

Editing isn’t about making your book perfect.

It is about making it powerful.

It is about sharpening your message.

It is about strengthening your voice.

It is about ensuring your story lands precisely how it’s meant to.

Don’t rush it by editing away the heart of the story, or do it alone.

I want you to know that your words matter. When you refine them, they have the power to change lives.

If you need help making your book Larger Than Life, contact me for an introductory call, and let’s make your dreams a reality.

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