Five mistakes beginner writers make

‘Give your mistakes the respect they deserve, learn what they have to teach, and they will propel you forward.’

Although I’m not normally a fan of so-called motivational or inspirational quotes, that one, from Ralph Marston of the Daily Motivator, strikes a chord. You could argue it is true for almost all aspects of life, but in my view it is certainly true of writing.

Even those of us who have been working with words for years make mistakes, and I expect to be committing howlers and bloopers until I retire. There is no avoiding them. They are a sign you are human, and that what you’re trying to achieve is challenging.