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Writers · problems and fixes

Common problems writers face, and how to fix them

Each page takes one problem writers tell us about, explains why it happens, and gives fixes you can use today.

19 problems

Lazur for writers →
Writer typing on a laptop while drafting an abstract for a journal submissionWriters · problemHow to cut an abstract to a journal word limit on Mac in 2026Cut an abstract to a journal's word limit without losing your result. Count it in Word or Pages on Mac, then cut in a fixed order.Writer typing a manuscript on a laptop at a desk, checking character namesWriters · problemHow to teach Mac dictation my character names and jargon in 2026: fixes for writersMac dictation keeps mangling your character names and jargon. Build a name sheet, test each term, then run a find-and-replace sweep. Steps for writers on macOS.Person at a laptop on a desk, speaking while working on a documentWriters · problemHow to dictate new paragraph and punctuation on Mac: step by step for macOS 27Say “new paragraph” or “new line” and punctuation names to dictate on a Mac. Fix auto-punctuation that misfires, using Apple’s own commands and settings.Writer typing a manuscript on a laptop while setting up a file for literary agent submissionWriters · problemHow to format a manuscript for literary agent submission on Mac, step by stepFormat a manuscript for literary agent submission on Mac with standard fiction settings, Word and Pages steps, and fixes that cost nothing.A writer typing a long draft on a Mac laptop at a desk, with a notebook beside the keyboardWriters · problemHow many words a day to write 50,000 words in 30 days? Mac catch-up planYou need about 1,667 words a day to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Here is what a missed day costs, why it happens, and fixes you can use.Writer at a Mac laptop reviewing a revised novel manuscript on a deskWriters · problemHow to catch continuity errors in a novel manuscript on Mac: a revision routineCatch continuity errors in a novel manuscript after you revise. Build a fact list, run a per-chapter pass, and use snapshots on your Mac.Writer typing a long manuscript on a Mac laptop while setting footnote numbering in PagesWriters · problemHow to restart footnote numbering in Pages on Mac, chapter by chapter, step by stepPages numbers footnotes across the whole file by default. Here is how to restart them at each chapter on Mac, with Word and Scrivener notes.Writer at a Mac on how to find and fix passive voice in a revised draftWriters · problemHow to find and fix passive voice in my writing on Mac: a 2026 routineFind passive voice in a revised draft with ⌘F, test each hit, then fix it by hand or with a checker. Steps for Word, Pages and Google Docs on Mac.Writer at a desk with a laptop, ready to start writing a draftWriters · problemWhy do I procrastinate starting to write? Causes and fixes for Mac writers in 2026You put off the first sentence because starting feels heavier than editing. Here are the causes, real costs and fixes you can try on your Mac today.Writer working on a laptop with a manuscript draft open on a deskWriters · problemWhy does Scrivener compile output show bold or underlined text? Mac fixes for 2026Scrivener compile output shows bold or underlined text when the compile format or your draft carries that formatting. Here is how to find and fix it on Mac.Writer at a laptop reviewing figure references in a Word documentWriters · problemHow to fix a figure missing from cross-reference list in Word on Mac, step by stepYour figure is missing from the cross-reference list in Word for Mac. Captions must come from Insert Caption. Here is how to check, fix and prevent it.Writer typing a draft on a Mac laptop while checking the word countWriters · problemDoes my word count include footnotes in Word on Mac? How to check it yourselfWord's help page does not say if footnotes count. Learn how to test your own Mac file, check Google Docs and Pages, and read your school's rule.Writer at a desk with a laptop, reviewing a draft document before sending itWriters · problemHow to accept or reject all tracked changes in Word for Mac, step by stepAccept or reject all tracked changes in Word for Mac from the Review tab, then check the file. Steps for Pages and Google Docs too.Writer typing on a Mac laptop while checking why pasted text changes fonts in Word for MacWriters · problemWhy does pasted text change fonts in Word for Mac? Causes and fixes for 2026Pasted text changes font in Word for Mac because the copied formatting comes along. Learn why it happens and four free fixes, with Mac shortcuts.Writer at a Mac laptop reviewing a long document before updating the table of contents in Word for MacWriters · problemWhy won't my table of contents update in Word for Mac? Step-by-step fixesWord for Mac updates a table of contents only when you run Update Table, and it skips headings without heading styles. Here is how to fix both.Writer typing at a laptop while checking a numbered list in a Word documentWriters · problemNumbered list starts at the wrong number in Word on Mac: how to fix itA numbered list starts at the wrong number in Word on Mac? Restart it with Restart at 1, nest it under a heading, or use the Google Docs and Pages fixes.Person typing on a Mac laptop while editing a Word documentWriters · problemHow to start page numbers after the cover page in Word on Mac for Microsoft 365Start page numbers after the cover page in Word on Mac: check Different First Page, set Start at 0, then test a PDF. Pages and Google Docs steps included.Writer at a laptop facing a blank page, the moment writer's block when stuck on a first draft beginsWriters · problemWriter's block when stuck on a first draft: fixes for Mac writers in 2026Stuck on a first draft? Learn why it happens, which fixes have evidence, and how to get words down on a Mac without buying anything.Person typing on a Mac laptop while writing a paper at a deskWriters · problemWhy does Zotero bibliography change font in Word for Mac? Causes and fixes for 2026Zotero bibliography changing font in Word for Mac? Start with Track Changes, captions and field codes. Here are the fixes that work, in order.