7 Mistakes You're Making with Your Writing Process (& How a Book Doula Can Fix Them)

Are you stuck in the endless cycle of starting your book but never finishing it?

You're not alone, friend! Most writers make the same seven critical mistakes that keep them spinning their wheels instead of crossing that finish line. But here's the thing – you don't have to figure this out alone.

That's where a book doula comes in. Wait, what's a book doula? Great question!

What Exactly IS a Book Doula?

Think of a book doula as your nurturing guide through the entire birth of your book. Just like a birth doula supports you through labor & delivery, a book doula provides emotional support, practical guidance & gentle accountability throughout your writing journey.

Unlike a book coach (who focuses more on technique & structure), a book doula is all about holding space for your creative process. We're here to catch you when you stumble, cheer you on when you doubt yourself & help you trust your instincts as a writer.

Ready to transform your writing process? Let's dive into the seven mistakes that are keeping you stuck – & how a book doula can help you break free!

Mistake #1: You're Not Writing Enough (AKA The Planning Trap)

Sound familiar? You spend hours researching, outlining, creating character sheets & plotting every scene... but you're not actually writing.

Here's the brutal truth: writing a book requires actually putting words on paper!

You don't need twelve hours a day or a perfect writing cave. You need consistency. Even 15 minutes daily will get you further than three hours of weekend "planning sessions."

How a Book Doula Helps: We create realistic writing schedules that work with YOUR life. No guilt, no shame – just gentle accountability to keep those fingers moving on the keyboard. We celebrate every single word you write because progress is progress!

Mistake #2: Your Point of View is All Over the Place

Are you head-hopping like a kangaroo on espresso?

Most new writers slip into this weird hybrid style – sort-of third-person-limited-sort-of-omniscient with random perspective jumps sprinkled everywhere. Your readers get whiplash trying to follow whose head they're supposed to be in!

The Fix: Pick ONE character per scene & stick with them. If you're writing third-person limited, you can ONLY know what that character knows, sees & feels.

How a Book Doula Helps: We'll review your scenes together & gently point out when you're drifting between heads. No harsh criticism – just supportive guidance to help you master point of view & bring readers closer to your characters.

Mistake #3: You're Info-Dumping All Over Your Story

Oh honey, we need to talk about backstory!

You know everything about your character's childhood, their ex-boyfriend's favorite pizza toppings & why they're afraid of butterflies. That's AMAZING for you as the writer... but your readers don't need a Wikipedia entry in the middle of Chapter 3.

Info-dumping creates those jarring interruptions that pull readers right out of your story. It's like stopping a thrilling car chase to explain the history of automobiles!

How a Book Doula Helps: We help you weave essential information naturally into your story. Think of it as seasoning – a little sprinkled throughout tastes perfect, but dumping the whole salt shaker ruins the dish!

Mistake #4: You're Trying to Cram Every Idea into One Book

Here's what I see ALL the time: Writers with beautiful, overflowing notebooks full of ideas who try to squeeze every single concept into their current manuscript.

The result? A 180,000-word monster that sprawls in seventeen directions with scenes that rush by faster than a Formula 1 race.

Listen, creative soul: Having too many ideas isn't writer's block – it's idea overwhelm & it's just as paralyzing.

How a Book Doula Helps: We help you choose ONE story & trust that it's enough. Those other brilliant ideas? They'll wait patiently for Book #2, #3 & beyond. We create an "idea parking lot" so you can focus without fear of forgetting your genius thoughts.

Mistake #5: You're Skimming the Surface of Your Characters

Your protagonist makes decisions, says things & reacts to situations... but why?

Amateur writers often forget to dive deep into their character's internal landscape. Readers need to understand what drives your protagonist, what keeps them up at night & why they make the choices they do.

Surface writing = surface connection. If readers can't connect with your main character, they won't stick around to see how the story ends.

How a Book Doula Helps: We ask the hard questions about your characters' motivations & help you explore their emotional depths. Through gentle prompting & supportive questioning, we help you discover layers of your characters you didn't even know existed!

Mistake #6: You Think Fancy Writing = Good Writing

Oh, this breaks my heart every time I see it!

New writers often believe they need to sound like Shakespeare having afternoon tea with a thesaurus. They pile on flowery language, complex vocabulary & purple prose that screams amateur.

Here's the truth: Good writing serves the story, not the writer's ego. Your job isn't to impress people with your vocabulary – it's to tell a compelling story that keeps readers turning pages.

How a Book Doula Helps: We help you find your authentic voice – not the voice you think you should have. We encourage clarity over complexity & story over showing off. Your unique voice is already perfect – we just help you trust it enough to speak up.

Mistake #7: You're Either Editing Too Early OR Not Revising Enough

This is the Goldilocks problem of writing!

Some writers edit every single paragraph as they go, never making it past Chapter 2 because they're stuck perfecting what they've already written. Others finish their first draft & consider it done – ready to publish without any revision.

Both approaches will sabotage your success.

The Sweet Spot: Finish your messy first draft FIRST, then commit to a thorough revision. Your first draft's job is to exist. Your second draft's job is to be good.

How a Book Doula Helps: We help you resist the editing temptation during your first draft & create a realistic revision plan afterward. We provide emotional support during the "messy middle" & celebrate when you type "THE END" – even when you know it's not really the end!

Your Writing Journey Doesn't Have to Be Lonely

Here's what I want you to know: Every single writer makes these mistakes. The difference between published authors & aspiring writers isn't talent – it's support & persistence.

You don't have to figure this out alone. You don't have to suffer through the doubt, the overwhelm & the endless second-guessing by yourself.

A book doula walks beside you every step of the way – from that first terrifying blank page to holding your finished book in your hands.

Ready to stop making these mistakes & finally finish your book? Your story deserves to be told & you deserve support that honors your creative process while keeping you moving forward.

Because here's the thing: The world needs YOUR book. Your unique perspective, your experiences, your voice – it all matters & with the right support, you absolutely CAN turn that beautiful idea in your head into a real book in readers' hands.

Your writing journey starts with a single word. But it doesn't have to be a solo trip.

What mistake resonated most with you? Drop me a line & let's talk about how to transform your writing process from frustrating to fulfilling!