7 Mistakes That Scream “Amateur Writer”

Alyssa Matesic March 24, 2025
Video Thumbnail
Alyssa Matesic Logo

Alyssa Matesic

@alyssamatesic

About

I'm an independent developmental book editor and publishing consultant with a decade of experience in book publishing. My career started in editorial roles at Henry Holt & Company (an imprint of Macmillan), The Book Group literary agency, and Ballantine Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House), where I worked with debut and bestselling authors. Since 2020, I've been sharing weekly writing and publishing insights on YouTube to help authors at all stages of their careers make their stories stronger. WORK WITH ME ON YOUR STORY https://www.alyssamatesic.com/inquire#inquire-2 DOWNLOAD MY FREE STORY SELF-ASSESSMENT! https://www.alyssamatesic.com/#freebie-form SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER FEATURING WRITING/PUBLISHING EXPERTS https://www.chapter-break.com/

Video Description

I've edited hundreds of manuscripts over my career as a developmental editor, and these are the 7 most common issues I see time and time again, especially with new authors. I break down what these mistakes are, why they’re hurting your story, and how to fix them fast. DOWNLOAD MY FREE STORY SELF-ASSESSMENT! https://www.alyssamatesic.com/#freebie-form WORK WITH ME ON YOUR STORY https://www.alyssamatesic.com/inquire#inquire-2 GET A QUERY LETTER REVIEW https://www.queryacademy.com DEEP DIVE VIDEOS: Character Interiority 101: https://youtu.be/eV0LvssGJWE Common Mistakes When Writing Close Third Person: https://youtu.be/NjGwXvXjsg0 Why Info-Dumping KILLS Your Story: https://youtu.be/o0vCmAz-O2s 5 Scenes to Cut from Your Novel NOW: https://youtu.be/oD-tYgBHKbw The Secret to Writing Perfect Scenes: https://youtu.be/i_4-f_KLOwo 5 Major Differences Between Pro and Amateur Writers: https://youtu.be/4UHtlR5Ibfw How to Use Reverse Outlining to Fix Every Problem in Your Book: https://youtu.be/O9RFPR38SYs 7 BIGGEST MISTAKES AMATEUR AUTHORS MAKE: 00:00 Intro 00:30 Not exploring the protagonist’s mind enough 03:12 Having an inconsistent point of view 05:37 Info-dumping 07:39 Refusing to kill your darlings 09:18 Writing weak scenes 10:55 Not thinking about your reader 12:30 Neglecting the revision process ABOUT ME: My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with nearly a decade of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice. SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER FEATURING WRITING/PUBLISHING EXPERTS https://www.chapter-break.com/ FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIALS! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssabookeditor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaMatesic TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alyssamatesic MUSIC: Charlie Brown by Smith The Mister https://smiththemister.bandcamp.com Smith The Mister https://bit.ly/Smith-The-Mister-YT

Writer's Toolkit Upgrade

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
12 Colors Nail Art Pens Set, Nail Art Markers Polish Pen for 3D Nail Art, Drawing Painting Liner Brush for DIY Nail Art Beauty Adorn Manicure Tools (12Pcs)

12 Colors Nail Art Pens Set, Nail Art Markers Polish Pen for 3D Nail Art, Drawing Painting Liner Brush for DIY Nail Art Beauty Adorn Manicure Tools (12Pcs)

(1)
$16.98
$6.99 delivery Jan 2 - 6
Loading...
Nail Art Pens Set 12 Colors Nail Art Markers, Nail Polish Pens Drawing Painting Pen for Home Salon,Quickly Dry Nail Art Nail DIY Decoration for Adult Kids 12 gel colors (1 Set)

Nail Art Pens Set 12 Colors Nail Art Markers, Nail Polish Pens Drawing Painting Pen for Home Salon,Quickly Dry Nail Art Nail DIY Decoration for Adult Kids 12 gel colors (1 Set)

(0)
$16.99
$0.99 delivery Jan 5 - 9
Loading...
VersionTECH. Gaming Mouse Ergonomic Wired Computer Mouse with 7 Colors LED Backlight, 4 DPI Settings Up to 3600 DPI Compatible for Chromebook Windows 7/8/10/11 XP/Mac/Linux Gamer/Notebook/MacBook
Best Seller

VersionTECH. Gaming Mouse Ergonomic Wired Computer Mouse with 7 Colors LED Backlight, 4 DPI Settings Up to 3600 DPI Compatible for Chromebook Windows 7/8/10/11 XP/Mac/Linux Gamer/Notebook/MacBook

(15,947)
$12.79
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 11 on your first order
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
LODVIE Wireless Mouse for Laptop,2400 DPI Wireless Computer Mouse with 6 Buttons,2.4G Ergonomic USB Cordless Mouse,15 Months Battery Life Mouse for Laptop PC Mac Computer Chromebook MacBook-Black

LODVIE Wireless Mouse for Laptop,2400 DPI Wireless Computer Mouse with 6 Buttons,2.4G Ergonomic USB Cordless Mouse,15 Months Battery Life Mouse for Laptop PC Mac Computer Chromebook MacBook-Black

(7,870)
$14.99
Prime
2K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Monster N-Lite 211 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 6.0 Stereo Headphones with Noise-Cancelling Mic and LED Display, Built-in Mic for Clear Calls, Waterproof Design for Sports

Monster N-Lite 211 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 6.0 Stereo Headphones with Noise-Cancelling Mic and LED Display, Built-in Mic for Clear Calls, Waterproof Design for Sports

(8)
$39.99
FREE delivery Tue, Nov 4
Loading...
Monster N-Lite 211 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 6.0 Stereo Headphones with Powerful Bass, Built-in Noise-Cancelling Mic for Clear Calls, LED Display, 36H Playtime, IPX5 Waterproof Design for Sports

Monster N-Lite 211 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 6.0 Stereo Headphones with Powerful Bass, Built-in Noise-Cancelling Mic for Clear Calls, LED Display, 36H Playtime, IPX5 Waterproof Design for Sports

(40)
$39.99
FREE delivery Thu, Nov 13
Loading...
Hi.FANCY Portable Laptop Stand with Dual Cooling Fans for 14-17inch Laptops, Grey, 23.5 x 25.9 x 0.95cm

Hi.FANCY Portable Laptop Stand with Dual Cooling Fans for 14-17inch Laptops, Grey, 23.5 x 25.9 x 0.95cm

(0)
$36.99
FREE delivery Aug 18 - 28
Loading...
Laptop Stand, OMOTON Laptop Mount, Aluminum Laptop Holder Riser Stand for Desk, Compatible with MacBook Air/Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo and All Laptops (10-15.6 inch),Silver

Laptop Stand, OMOTON Laptop Mount, Aluminum Laptop Holder Riser Stand for Desk, Compatible with MacBook Air/Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo and All Laptops (10-15.6 inch),Silver

(9,083)
$22.99
200+ bought in past month
Loading...
BESIGN LSX7 Laptop Stand with 360° Rotating Base, Ergonomic Adjustable Notebook Stand, Riser Holder Computer Stand Compatible with Air, Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo More 10-15.6" Laptops (Black) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

BESIGN LSX7 Laptop Stand with 360° Rotating Base, Ergonomic Adjustable Notebook Stand, Riser Holder Computer Stand Compatible with Air, Pro, Dell, HP, Lenovo More 10-15.6" Laptops (Black) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

(3,511)
$29.99
400+ bought in past month
Loading...
Zewwen Laptop Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Adjustable Foldable Computer Stand with Heat-Vent, Aluminium Alloy Laptop Riser Compatible with MacBook Air, Pro, Dell XPS, Samsung, 10”-16"

Zewwen Laptop Stand for Desk, Ergonomic Adjustable Foldable Computer Stand with Heat-Vent, Aluminium Alloy Laptop Riser Compatible with MacBook Air, Pro, Dell XPS, Samsung, 10”-16"

(1,679)
$28.49
FREE delivery Sat, Jun 14 on your first order
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
Asus ZenScreen 16” Portable USB Monitor (MB169CK) - Full HD, IPS, Dual USB-C, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Anti-Glare Surface, 360° Kickstand, 3 yr Warranty

Asus ZenScreen 16” Portable USB Monitor (MB169CK) - Full HD, IPS, Dual USB-C, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Anti-Glare Surface, 360° Kickstand, 3 yr Warranty

(111)
$129.99$100.27
FREE delivery Jan 9 - Feb 4
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Asus ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACV) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface , BLACK

Asus ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACV) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface , BLACK

(2,097)
$209.98$152.10
FREE delivery Jan 13 - 27
50+ bought in past month
Loading...
ASUS ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACVR) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6” 1080P Portable Monitor (MB16ACVR) - Full HD, IPS, Eye Care, Flicker Free, Blue Light Filter, Kickstand, USB-C Power Delivery, for Laptop, PC, Phone, Console, Antibacterial Surface

(2,000)
$209.00
FREE delivery Aug 11 - 13
Loading...
Desnuage Teardrop Aquamarine Hoop Earrings Sterling Silver Dangle Light Blue Earrings for Women

Desnuage Teardrop Aquamarine Hoop Earrings Sterling Silver Dangle Light Blue Earrings for Women

(1)
$19.99
FREE delivery Sun, Jul 6 on your first order
Loading...
Dell Premium Active Pen - PN579X Stylus Black 19.5g DELL-PN579X

Dell Premium Active Pen - PN579X Stylus Black 19.5g DELL-PN579X

(695)
$102.82$69.41
FREE delivery Aug 27 - 29
Loading...
Dell Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo - KM7120W

Dell Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo - KM7120W

(1,812)
$128.86$109.99
FREE delivery Aug 22 - 25Only 8 left in stock.
Loading...
Logitech K250 Bluetooth Keyboard with Numpad, Easy Connectivity, Compact Wireless Keyboard Made with Recycled Plastic, Spill-Resistant, Comfortable Keys - Windows/MacOS - Graphite
Best Seller

Logitech K250 Bluetooth Keyboard with Numpad, Easy Connectivity, Compact Wireless Keyboard Made with Recycled Plastic, Spill-Resistant, Comfortable Keys - Windows/MacOS - Graphite

(49)
$19.99$18.59
FREE delivery Mon, Aug 18 on your first order
Loading...
Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard Stainless Steel Ultra Slim Full Size Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for Computer/Desktop/PC/Laptop/Surface/Smart TV and Windows 10/8/ 7 Built in Rechargeable Battery

Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard Stainless Steel Ultra Slim Full Size Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for Computer/Desktop/PC/Laptop/Surface/Smart TV and Windows 10/8/ 7 Built in Rechargeable Battery

(27,943)
$39.89$28.74
FREE delivery Thu, Sep 4
500+ bought in past month
Loading...
Asus ROG Azoth Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – 75% TKL, Tri-Mode Connectivity, Hot Swappable Pre-lubed ROG NX Snow Linear Switches, PBT Keycaps, RGB, OLED Display, PC/Mac Support - Black

Asus ROG Azoth Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – 75% TKL, Tri-Mode Connectivity, Hot Swappable Pre-lubed ROG NX Snow Linear Switches, PBT Keycaps, RGB, OLED Display, PC/Mac Support - Black

(1,146)
$229.99
FREE delivery Sat, Jan 3
50+ bought in past month
Loading...
Spiral Notebook, A5 Size 5 Subject Notebooks College Ruled with Tabs and Removable Dividers, 300 Pages 100GSM Thick Spiral Ruled Lined Writing Journal Notebook for Work, School(6.2"x 8.5")

Spiral Notebook, A5 Size 5 Subject Notebooks College Ruled with Tabs and Removable Dividers, 300 Pages 100GSM Thick Spiral Ruled Lined Writing Journal Notebook for Work, School(6.2"x 8.5")

(14)
$17.99
Prime
50+ bought in past month