Starting a creative writing journey is both exciting and scary. You might have amazing stories to tell but find yourself stumbling over common writing pitfalls. Understanding these mistakes can transform your writing from amateurish to polished and engaging, saving you countless hours of frustration.
Many new writers fall into similar traps that can weaken their work and disconnect readers from their stories.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve seen talented writers repeatedly make the same avoidable mistakes,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole and educational consultant. “Learning to recognise these patterns early can dramatically accelerate your growth as a writer.”
From unclear character motivations to overusing adverbs, these creative writing pitfalls aren’t just stylistic concerns—they’re barriers between your reader and the story you’re trying to tell. When you learn to identify and fix these issues, your writing becomes clearer, more compelling, and ultimately more enjoyable for your audience.
Beginning your creative writing journey means crafting vivid settings, building characters that feel real, and developing antagonists that drive your story forward. These elements work together to create a compelling narrative that readers can’t put down.
Your story’s setting creates the world in which your characters live and breathe. Whether you’re writing about a bustling futuristic city or a quiet village in the countryside, your setting needs to feel authentic.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found that students who take time to map out their settings before writing produce more immersive stories,” says Michelle Connolly, founder and educational consultant.
Consider these elements when creating your setting:
Try creating a sense of place through sensory details—what can your characters see, hear, smell, taste, and touch?
Characters are the heart of your story. To create believable characters, you need to understand them deeply—even aspects that might not appear on the page.
Start with these character development techniques:
“Having worked with thousands of students across different learning environments, I’ve noticed that the most compelling characters are those with clear motivations and consistent personalities,” Michelle Connolly explains.
Avoid the common mistake of creating perfect characters. Readers connect with characters who struggle, make mistakes, and grow.
The antagonist provides the conflict that drives your story forward. Without this opposing force, your protagonist has nothing to overcome, and your story loses tension.
Your antagonist doesn’t have to be a villainous person. It could be:
The best antagonists have clear motivations for their actions. Avoid creating one-dimensional “evil” characters—give them depth and perhaps even qualities readers might empathise with.
“Drawing from my extensive background in educational technology, I’ve found that students often create more nuanced stories when they understand that antagonists should be as well-developed as protagonists,” notes Michelle Connolly.
Try examining the relationship between your protagonist and antagonist. How do they challenge each other? What weaknesses do they expose?
The drafting phase is where your creative ideas begin to take shape on the page. This crucial step allows you to explore your narrative without the pressure of perfection.
First drafts are the foundation of good fiction writing. They give you freedom to experiment with characters, plot and setting without worrying about polished prose. Think of your first draft as clay that you’ll later sculpt into something beautiful.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve seen countless students paralysed by the fear of imperfection,” says Michelle Connolly, educational consultant and founder. “The first draft is your permission to write badly – it’s simply about getting the story out of your head and onto the page.”
When drafting, focus on these key elements:
Don’t worry about common writing pitfalls during this stage. Many writers use clichés as a kind of shorthand when drafting. You can fix these later.
Remember to set a reasonable word count goal each day. This creates momentum and prevents the dreaded writer’s block.
Try looking at your story from different perspectives as you write. This helps you identify weak spots in your narrative and strengthens your storytelling.
Good dialogue brings characters to life and moves your story forward. When done well, conversations on the page reveal personalities, build tension, and engage readers more deeply than descriptive passages alone.
Creating distinct character voices is essential for believable dialogue. Each character should speak in a way that reflects their background, education, and personality.
Try these techniques to differentiate your characters:
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found that authentic dialogue is what makes readers connect with characters on a personal level,” says Michelle Connolly, educational consultant and founder of LearningMole.
Avoid the common mistake of making everyone sound the same. Your dialogue should compel the reader to give something of themselves to the story.
Dialogue shouldn’t just fill space—it should serve multiple purposes in your narrative. Every conversation should reveal character, advance the plot, or preferably both.
Consider these tips:
Beware of common dialogue pitfalls like excessive pleasantries or conversations that don’t change the status quo.
Remember that good dialogue mimics real speech but isn’t an exact copy. Cut the mundane exchanges and focus on what drives your story forward.
Effective description in creative writing brings scenes to life and engages readers. It requires careful balance and thoughtful word choice to create vivid imagery without overwhelming your audience.
Show, don’t tell” is a golden rule in creative writing, but knowing when to use each technique is crucial. Showing means revealing character emotions through actions, dialogue, and sensory details. Telling is directly stating information to move the story forward.
When to show: Use descriptive language when emotion, setting, or character development is important.
When to tell: Use direct statements for:
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found students often struggle most with knowing when to elaborate and when to be concise,” says Michelle Connolly, educational consultant and founder of LearningMole.
Try this simple exercise: Highlight exposition-heavy paragraphs in your work, then rewrite them using sensory details and specific actions.
Overwriting happens when you use too many words to describe something simple. It creates purple prose—writing that’s unnecessarily ornate and distracts from your story.
Signs you might be overwriting:
To fix overwriting, try these techniques:
Good description isn’t about using impressive vocabulary. It’s about choosing precise words that create clear images in your reader’s mind.
A compelling story needs a solid foundation. Plot and structure work together to create a narrative that keeps readers engaged from the first word to the last.
The narrative arc is the backbone of your fiction writing. It typically includes exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Many new writers make the common mistake of rushing through crucial plot points or lingering too long on less important elements.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found that the most engaging stories maintain a careful balance between predictability and surprise,” notes Michelle Connolly, educational consultant and fiction writing expert.
To create a satisfying arc:
Pacing controls how quickly your reader moves through your story. Poor pacing is one of the most common reasons readers put books down.
When your pacing is too fast, readers can’t connect with characters or understand important events. When it’s too slow, they become bored and disengaged.
Try these techniques to improve your pacing:
Remember that your chapter endings are particularly important for pacing. End chapters with small revelations or subtle cliffhangers to keep your readers turning pages.
Polishing your writing requires careful attention to detail and a willingness to revise your work thoroughly. The art of refinement transforms ordinary text into compelling prose that captivates readers and clearly communicates your ideas.
Editing is the secret ingredient that elevates amateur writing to professional quality. When you edit your work, you’re not just correcting grammar; you’re crafting your rhythm and style.
Think of editing as sculpture – you’re chipping away everything that doesn’t belong. Start by addressing structural issues before focusing on language details. Ask yourself:
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found that the most common mistake writers make is rushing through the editing process,” says Michelle Connolly, founder and educational consultant. “Quality writing emerges through multiple rounds of revision.”
Edit with fresh eyes by taking breaks between drafts. This helps you spot problems you might otherwise miss.
Developing strong self-editing skills will dramatically improve your creative writing. Start by reading your work aloud – this reveals awkward phrasing and rhythm problems that your eyes might skip.
Use these practical techniques:
Look for repetitive sentence structures and vary your rhythm. Short sentences create urgency. Longer ones can develop complex ideas or slow the pace.
Watch for purple prose – overly ornate language that distracts rather than enhances. Every word should earn its place in your text.
Creative writing can be full of traps that might weaken your work. Let’s explore some common mistakes in fiction and strategies to overcome writer’s block so you can create more compelling stories.
Overwriting is one of the biggest problems new writers face. This happens when you include too many adjectives, adverbs, or unnecessary details. Keep your writing tight and purposeful.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve seen how overwriting can drain the energy from otherwise promising stories,” says Michelle Connolly, founder and educational consultant. “When students learn to trim excess words, their writing immediately becomes more powerful.”
Remember to show, don’t tell. Instead of writing “She was angry,” show her slamming doors or speaking through clenched teeth. This creates a more vivid experience for your reader.
Here are common fiction writing mistakes to avoid:
Writer’s block happens to everyone. When you’re stuck, try freewriting for 10 minutes without stopping. Don’t worry about quality—just get words on the page.
Changing your environment can spark creativity. Take your notebook to a café or park and see how new surroundings influence your writing.
“Having worked with thousands of students across different learning environments, I’ve found that establishing a regular writing routine is the best defence against writer’s block,” Michelle Connolly explains.
Try these techniques when you’re stuck:
Effective revision transforms raw writing into polished work by identifying weaknesses and enhancing strengths. This crucial stage helps writers distance themselves from their initial drafts and see their work through fresh eyes.
Getting feedback is essential to improving your writing. Ask trusted readers to comment on specific elements like character development, dialogue, or plot structure rather than just general impressions.
“As an educator with over 16 years of classroom experience, I’ve found that writers who embrace feedback rather than defend against it consistently produce stronger work,” says Michelle Connolly, founder and educational consultant.
Consider joining a writing group where you can exchange critiques with fellow writers. These communities provide valuable perspectives you might miss working alone.
When receiving feedback, take notes without responding defensively. Remember that criticism of your work isn’t criticism of you personally. Look for patterns in the comments—if multiple readers highlight the same issue, it likely needs attention.
Once you’ve collected feedback, approach revisions systematically. Create a revision plan highlighting major issues to address rather than randomly editing.
Start with structural concerns before moving to line-by-line editing. Major plot holes or character inconsistencies should be fixed before you polish sentences.
Many writing instructors suggest leaving time between drafts. This distance helps you see your work objectively and makes it easier to cut unnecessary sections.
Remember that revision involves more than just correcting errors—it’s about exploring new creative possibilities. Be willing to rewrite entire sections if needed.
Use a checklist to ensure you’re addressing common issues:
Don’t rush this process. Professional writers often go through multiple drafts before reaching their final version.
Getting your creative writing published requires understanding the publishing landscape and effectively marketing your work. These steps are crucial for writers who want to share their stories with the world.
Today’s writers have more publishing paths than ever before. Traditional publishing involves literary agents submitting your work to publishing houses.
Self-publishing gives you more control over your work and typically offers higher royalties. Popular platforms include Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital.
“Many emerging writers focus solely on traditional publishing when self-publishing might better suit their goals and timeline,” notes Michelle Connolly, educational consultant with 16 years of classroom experience.
Hybrid publishing combines elements of both models, where you pay for some services while the publisher handles others. Literary magazines and online journals offer great starting points for short fiction and poetry.
Building an author platform is essential regardless of your publishing route. Start by creating a professional website showcasing your writing and establishing profiles on social media platforms.
Networking with other writers through writing groups, conferences, and online communities can open doors to publishing opportunities.
Consider these effective marketing strategies:
Remember that marketing is an ongoing process. Many writers make the common mistake of stopping promotion efforts shortly after publication.
Developing your craft through studying established writers and participating in workshops provides valuable insights into effective writing techniques. These approaches can transform your work by helping you recognise common pitfalls and develop stronger storytelling skills.
Reading widely is essential for improving your writing skills. When you examine the works of accomplished authors, pay attention to how they structure plots, develop characters, and use language effectively. Look for patterns in their storytelling techniques and analyse what makes their writing compelling.
“Writers who regularly analyse the masters of their genre show remarkable improvement in their own work,” notes Michelle Connolly, founder and educational consultant at LearningMole.
Try these focused reading strategies:
Consider creating a “technique journal” where you record effective writing elements you discover in your reading. This practice helps you build a personal reference guide of strategies to incorporate into your writing.
Writing workshops offer personalised feedback that can dramatically improve your work. These collaborative environments allow you to learn from both creative writing instructors and fellow participants, gaining diverse perspectives on your work.
When selecting workshops, look for those led by experienced writers who can identify common mistakes in your genre. Virtual and in-person options are available to suit different preferences and schedules.
Benefits of workshop participation include:
“Constructive criticism in workshops helps writers identify blind spots in their work that would be difficult to recognise independently,” says Michelle Connolly, founder of LearningMole.
The most valuable workshops encourage you to both give and receive feedback, strengthening your editorial eye alongside your writing skills.
The journey of creative writing is fundamentally about growth, learning, and the continuous refinement of craft. By understanding and actively avoiding the common pitfalls outlined throughout this exploration—from overwriting and weak character development to poor pacing and inadequate revision—writers can dramatically accelerate their progress and create more compelling, engaging work. The mistakes discussed are not merely technical concerns but genuine barriers that can prevent readers from connecting with your stories and characters.
When writers learn to recognise these patterns early, they develop the critical eye necessary to self-edit effectively, craft authentic dialogue, create vivid settings, and structure narratives that maintain reader engagement from beginning to end. The emphasis on systematic approaches to drafting, revising, and seeking constructive feedback provides a roadmap for transforming initial creative impulses into polished, publishable work.
Perhaps most importantly, the path to becoming a skilled creative writer requires embracing the iterative nature of the craft—understanding that first drafts are meant to be imperfect, that revision is where true artistry emerges, and that learning from established masters whilst developing one’s unique voice is essential for long-term success. The creative writing process is not simply about avoiding mistakes but about developing the confidence to take risks, experiment with new techniques, and persist through the inevitable challenges that every writer faces.
By combining technical knowledge with consistent practice, constructive feedback, and a commitment to continuous learning through workshops and wide reading, writers can overcome the common obstacles that derail many promising creative endeavours. Ultimately, the goal is not perfection but progress—creating work that resonates with readers whilst developing the skills and confidence necessary to continue growing as a storyteller throughout one’s writing career.
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