Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Holding Back

Everyone makes mistakes—even writers—but that's OK because each mistake is a great learning opportunity. The Writer's Digest team has witnessed many mistakes over the years, so we started this series to help identify them early in the process. Note: The mistakes in this series aren't focused on grammar rules, though we offer help in that area as well.

(Grammar rules for writers.)

Rather, we're looking at bigger picture mistakes and mishaps, including the error of using too much exposition, hiding your pitch, or chasing trends. This week's writing mistake writers make is holding back.

There are a few ways that this writing mistake can crop up. One of the more obvious ways is through holding back in the drafting process. In polite society, many people (writers included) self-censor themselves, whether it's to avoid offending others or embarrassing themselves. And sometimes that self-censorship can carry over to the page in the drafting process, which can lead to watered down (and sometimes abstract) writing.

(When and How Should Writers Negotiate Better Terms.)

Another way writers can sometimes hold back is by not advocating for themselves when it comes to their writing careers. An obvious example would be declining to ever negotiate better pay rates for a column they've been writing for years. If a writer started off at a rate of $500 per column for a specific magazine in 2010; it would make sense to be earning more than that in 2023.

But there's another less obvious way writers can sometimes hold back in their careers, and that's when they don't aspire for more competitive markets. After all, it's sometimes easier to go with the market that has traditionally accepted their writing (and pays in contributor copies or a publishing credit) and avoid submitting to markets with higher pay rates (or with pay rates period).

When it comes to your writing, silence that self-censorship (at least in the first draft). Let your mind wander and write everything you really think or that you think your characters might think. Don't worry about what the rest of the world would think if they read it, because you're not sharing it with ANYONE yet. Take risks.

(When Is My Novel Ready to Read?)

Once you have a first draft, you can edit to your heart's content; but give yourself a chance to see your most daring writing on the page. Oftentimes, I feel people don't truly understand what they're capable of until they give themselves permission to try...and then, they do incredible things.

So that carries over to the business and career side of things as well. Don't be afraid to ask for more before signing a publishing contract. You may be willing to write an article for 10 cents per word (as was originally offered), but ask if they could kick it up to 25 cents per word. 

Maybe they can; maybe they can't; and maybe they could move it up to 15 cents (or a 50% increase, for people who like math). But you'll never know if you don't take the risk of asking. And I'll just say as an editor myself that if I'm not able to increase a rate the first time a freelancer asks that the act of them asking makes me look for ways to increase their rate in the future by lobbying for a larger editorial budget.

And finally, shoot for the stars when it comes to pitching markets. Of course, it makes sense to start off local, regional, and/or small press, but don't be afraid to submit your work to the biggest and most competitive markets you can imagine. There are any number of people willing to hold you back and limit what you can achieve; don't make it easy for them by doing it yourself.

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Finding a literary agent and getting your book traditionally published can be a challenge and take time away from writing. There's plenty of research involved and often extensive time spent creating and submitting queries. It can be a lot! This PDF, created by the Editors of Writer's Digest, aims to help take some of the guesswork out of it.

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