Navigating Option/Purchase Agreements: Avoiding Common Pitfalls?

Hey everyone, Nina here. I’m deep in revisions on a thriller spec and starting to think about what comes next if it actually gets some traction. This whole world of option and purchase agreements feels like a minefield I'm completely unprepared for. I’ve done some preliminary research, but frankly, it’s a lot of legal jargon that feels designed to confuse. I'm trying to educate myself, but it feels like there's always a hidden clause or something you don't even know to look for until it's too late.

Looking back, what's a common mistake you see new writers make when they first encounter these agreements, maybe something you've even done yourself? What's that one piece of advice you'd give to ensure they don't unwittingly undervalue their work or sign away too much?