From First Draft to Final Chapter: How to Avoid the Big Writing Pitfalls

You’ve done it. You’ve carved out the time, stayed committed to the cause, let go of perfection, followed your plan...and all the other useful advice you've received along your writing journey!...and finally written that first draft. So now it's time to celebrate, right?

Not so fast.

Because while finishing a draft is an achievement worth celebrating, many writers fall into the same traps that stop their book from shining. And if you’re hoping to publish, or even just share your work with confidence, knowing how to avoid these pitfalls will save you endless frustration later.

Here’s what to look out for.

Pitfall 1: Weak Openings

Your first chapter is your hook...and it needs to do just that!

If it’s all backstory, weather descriptions, or your character staring into a mirror (or even worse, waking up!), readers will stop reading faster than you can say “once upon a time.”

Fix it: Start with intrigue. Drop your reader into a moment of change, conflict, or tension. Make them ask questions that only your story can answer. In short, start with a surprise, something that the reader didn't expect and is now DESPERATE to find the answer to! 

TOP TIP - Starting with a really juicy bit of dialogue or mid-action can be a great way to hook readers in...

Pitfall 2: Info-Dumping

You’ve created an incredible world, complete with its own politics, magic system, or backstory. Or perhaps your protagonist has a whole load of complicated life baggage that has led them to this point...BUT... unloading it all in one go is like force-feeding your reader a three-course meal in five minutes.

Fix it: Weave details in gradually. Let your reader discover your world as your characters interact with it. Trust them to piece things together.

TOP TIP - When writing descriptive details, ask yourself...does my reader need to know this? If the information you are giving does nothing to move the plot or scene forward, develop characters, or slows the pace down to an excruciating crawl...then ditch it!

Pitfall 3: Flat Characters

If your hero is flawless and your villain is evil for evil’s sake, your story will feel as hollow as cardboard cut-outs. Readers crave complexity. Your characters need to be RELATABLE! 

Fix it: Give your characters goals, flaws, and contradictions. What scares them? What do they want more than anything? What would they never, ever do until the story forces them to?

TOP TIP - When creating your character profiles, get to know them like an old friend. You need to know everything about them from their quirks and habits to their dreams and fears, but remember, these details will be drip-fed and implied by how they react to circumstances.

Pitfall 4: Passive Voice

“The ball was thrown by John.” Yawn. “John threw the ball.” Much better.

Fix it: Keep your prose active and direct. Passive voice has its place, but too much of it weakens your story’s impact and can really slow down the pace of your story. At the end of the day, it's all about balance and appropriateness for your story.

TOP TIP - Passive voice can be used to great effect when creating tension - "The body was discovered at dawn" or "The door was left open" - these passive voice sentences leave us with so many unanswered questions!

Pitfall 5: Awkward Rhythm

Writing is music on the page. Too many long sentences in a row? Readers get lost. Too many short ones? They feel breathless. Just like music, the pauses in writing are often as important as the beats. Practise varying your sentence length.

Fix it: Mix it up. Vary sentence length and structure to create rhythm and flow that mirrors the mood of the scene.

TOP TIP - Read the passage by Gary Provost, which is a stunning example of the power of varying sentence length. 

From first draft to final chapter, great writing comes down to clarity, rhythm, and connection. Avoid the big pitfalls: weak openings, info-dumping, flat characters, passive voice, and clunky rhythm, and you’ll keep your readers hooked until the very last page.

Because the truth is this...editing and refining aren’t optional extras. They’re the difference between a draft that sits in your drawer and a story that readers remember.