If you’re at the exciting start of your writing journey, you might feel overwhelmed—especially if you’ve noticed your drafts lack direction or you’re fixating on minor grammar instead of the big picture. That’s perfectly normal! Trust me, early missteps are part of the process—and we can absolutely turn them into strengths.

Here are the most common pitfalls for new fiction writers—and how to gently steer clear of them so you can build confidence along the way.

1. Plot Confusion: When Your Story Feels Like a Series of One-Shots and Not a Multi-Chapter Story

This is one of the biggest issues I’ve seen with new writers, and it happens when writers do most of their story work in their heads before writing anything down. Yes, I’m talking about that scene you thought of in the shower last Tuesday. Like a collection of one-shots on AO3, these scenes all make sense and are connected through the characters starring in them and the relationships you’ve developed for them. A true story needs something deeper—a central question or goal—something readers wonder about and which you resolve by the end of the book. Or at least get us closer to the end if you’re planning a series.

Example: What is the end goal of Eragon, the first book in The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini?

Answer? Well, there are two:

1. Character end goal: Eragon becomes a Dragon Rider.
2. Book end Goal: Eragon joins the resistance and survives the first battle.

Both these goals need to be met in book one so we can develop a new goal for book two.

What’s the Fix?

1. Start with an outline—even if it’s rough. Identify the beginning, turning point (mid-story event), and resolution.
2. Write cause-and-effect chains: “This happens… so that happens… which leads to…” until you have cohesion.

If stuck, try plotting backwards from the ending you imagine.

An early draft without structure is normal, and even good, because now you know your characters and their personalities. With this in place, it’s easier to go back and rework what you have into a plot.

2. Dull Beginnings: Avoid Starting with the Mundane

Prologue: Your character wakes up, has breakfast, brushes teeth… yawns. While everyday life is relatable, starting with it usually fails to hook your reader—unless there’s something unexpected happening right away. An effective opening hints at conflict or mystery that makes someone want to read on.

Tip: Jump into a moment of tension, question, action, or emotional upheaval. You can always fill in backstory later, but start where something is already happening.

3. No Conflict, No Story: Why Tension Matters

Every story thrives on conflict—big arcs and mini-challenges. Writers often err on the side of being “kind” to their characters, but if nothing threatens them or makes them struggle, the reader may lose interest.

Consider conflict as the engine of your plot. Ideas:

• Internal challenges: doubt, fear, choices.
• External setbacks: opponents, obstacles, unexpected events.
• Push against your protagonist hard—then let them surprise themselves.

Conflict doesn’t have to be dramatic—small personal challenges can be powerful if layered with meaning.

4. Head-Hopping: Confusing POV Breaks Connection

New writers sometimes switch point of view (POV) mid-scene. For instance, you might start inside your protagonist’s mind, then abruptly shift to another character without indication. Again, this problem comes from that intimate phase where you’re learning your characters and you’re in all their heads at all times, but this “head-hopping” can disorient readers, make it difficult to keep things straight, and make the narrative feel muddled. 

How to maintain clarity:

Stick to one POV per scene. If you need insight from another character, show it in a separate scene. As a reader, especially for the romance genre, I love reading books where the author designates a POV per chapter. That way you see both sides of the romance, but you’re seeing it from one perspective at a time. 

Why is Xander suddenly being a class-A jerk? Amelia is clueless, but your reader does and is seething about it because they just spent the last chapter in his head.

This keeps your storytelling grounded and emotionally connected.

5. Weak Language: How to Choose Strong Words and Trim Fat

If you use any kind of AI grammar tool in your day-to-day, then you might be familiar with the “passive voice” error. It’s the same concept here; writers often weaken prose by using vague words or filler phrases like really, just, somehow, and suddenly. Sometimes after reading a first draft, I just want to throw a thesaurus at my authors. It’s so perplexing how you can create a whole functioning fantasy kingdom, but can’t find a synonym for run. Later edits and versions of your manuscript should prioritize stronger, more specific and creative choices.

Examples:

Replace “walked quietly” with “sidled along the creaking floorboard.”

Swap “angry” for “blood boiled” or “jaw clenched.”

Also, look out for filler: cut excess just, very, that, actually unless they’re absolutely needed. Overusing these makes writing feel slack or unfocused.

6. Overexplaining Mundane Details Your Reader Can Infer

Telling readers every little detail can feel patronizing—especially things like “she woke up this morning” or “she picked up sunglasses because it was sunny.” These are assumptions readers can naturally make.

Instead:

Show what matters: does the character flinch at sunlight? Does the glare bother them?

Trust readers—they can fill in blanks if you provide them the right hints.

It’s not about withholding all info—it’s about giving meaning-driven details that serve the story.

7. Telling What You’ve Just Shown: Skip Obvious Explanations

“Show, don’t tell” is a golden rule—but many writers show a character’s reaction, then tell the emotion anyway: She slammed the door shut. She was furious. You don’t need that extra line—it’s already obvious.

Instead, embellish with:

• Internal reaction: Her fists trembled.
• Surrounding sensory detail or dialogue that conveys emotion without naming it.
• Showing builds trust with your reader. Let them infer—and feel it for themselves.

Try This: Turning Feedback into Forward Motion

If you’ve noticed your early drafts contain one or more of these issues, you’re not alone—and that’s a good thing! Knowing the weaknesses is progress.

Here’s a quick growth plan:

• Identify one major issue (e.g., weak plot or muddy POV).
• Outline or revise—even if it’s just one scene.
• Write with intention, keeping conflict and emotional clarity in mind.
• Edit again—remove filler, sharpen verbs, cut redundant explanations.
• Read it aloud: dialogue should sound natural, and scene flow should feel clear.
• Start small. Do one targeted revision at a time and celebrate the change.

Remember: every great writer starts somewhere, and every “mistake” is just a stepping stone to a stronger story. The fact that you’re here—learning, growing, revising—means you’re already on the right path. You don’t need to do it all perfectly, and you don’t need to do it alone.

If you’re looking for kind, experienced guidance on your first pages (or your whole manuscript), Once Upon a Manuscript is here to help. Whether you’re working through your first draft or getting ready to self-publish, I offer thoughtful, story-first editing that keeps your voice intact and your vision at the center.

Ready to turn your rough draft into a fan favorite? Explore editing services or book a free discovery call—your story deserves its best shot.