Why Beginner Writing Feels Off (And How to Fix It)

Writing is a craft, and like any skill, it has a learning curve. When most people start writing, their work often feels "off"—something isn’t quite right, but they can’t pinpoint why. This is the stage of a Developing Writer—someone who has started creating but hasn’t yet refined their technique. They have the enthusiasm, but their execution is still rough.

If you’ve ever read an amateur story and felt it lacked impact, chances are it suffered from common beginner pitfalls. Let’s break down what makes beginner writing feel unpolished and, more importantly, how to improve it.

1. "And Then This Happened" Syndrome

The Problem:

Beginner writing often lacks control over pacing and structure. Scenes unfold as a simple sequence of events: this happens, then this, then this… without rhythm, variation, or emphasis. This makes the story feel flat and directionless.

How to Fix It:

• Focus on cause and effect instead of just listing actions. Each event should lead to the next in a meaningful way.

• Use scene breaks and pacing techniques to highlight important moments.

• Ask: Why does this moment matter? What does it change? If nothing changes, consider cutting or rewriting.

2. Lack of Style or Voice

The Problem:

Early writing often feels generic because the writer hasn’t yet developed their voice—the unique way they tell a story. Sentences may feel robotic or overly simplistic, lacking personality or rhythm.

How to Fix It:

• Read widely and analyze how different authors develop their voice.

• Experiment with sentence structure, tone, and rhythm.

• Let your natural instincts shine—don’t write how you think you should write, write how you want to.

3. Flat Characters & Weak Dialogue

The Problem:

Characters in beginner writing often feel bland or unnatural. Dialogue is either stiff and exposition-heavy or overly casual and lacking depth. Many characters speak in the same voice, making them indistinct.

How to Fix It:

• Give each character a distinct way of speaking (different vocabulary, rhythms, and tones).

• Avoid "on-the-nose" dialogue where characters state exactly what they think or feel.

• Make dialogue work on multiple levels—reveal subtext, conflict, or personality.

4. Overuse of Exposition

The Problem:

Many beginner writers explain too much, overloading the reader with info-dumps instead of weaving information naturally into the story. This kills momentum and makes the writing feel amateurish.

How to Fix It:

• Show, don’t tell—trust the reader to pick up on details.

• Introduce worldbuilding naturally through action and character interactions.

• Cut unnecessary explanations. If the reader doesn’t need to know it right now, save it for later.

5. Tense Switching & Sloppy Prose

The Problem:

Beginner writing often jumps between past and present tense unintentionally, making it feel unstable. Punctuation, sentence flow, and paragraph structure also tend to be inconsistent.

How to Fix It:

• Pick a tense (past or present) and stick with it.

• Read your work aloud—awkward phrasing and tense shifts become more obvious.

• Learn sentence variety—mix up long, flowing sentences with shorter, punchier ones.

6. Weak Emotional Depth

The Problem:

Many beginner stories tell emotions rather than making the reader feel them. A character might be described as "scared," but we don’t experience their fear.

How to Fix It:

• Use sensory details—how does fear feel in the body? Is their heart pounding? Hands shaking?

• Show emotions through actions and reactions, not just internal thoughts.

• Engage the reader’s empathy by putting them inside the character’s experience.

7. Overuse of Punctuation Tricks

The Problem:

Beginners often overuse ellipses, exclamation points, and interjections to create drama. While these can be effective in moderation, using them too much weakens their impact.

How to Fix It:

• Reserve exclamation points for genuine high-energy moments.

• Use ellipses only when dialogue naturally trails off.

• Instead of using punctuation to convey drama, use sentence structure and word choice.

8. Inconsistent or Rushed Pacing

The Problem:

Beginner writers often rush through crucial scenes, making action feel weightless. On the flip side, they may drag out unimportant moments, killing tension.

How to Fix It:

• Slow down key emotional beats—give characters time to react.

• Speed up less important details to avoid bogging down the story.

• Use paragraph structure to control pacing—short paragraphs increase tension, longer ones slow things down.

How to Move Beyond Beginner Writing

If you recognize these mistakes in your own work—good! Awareness is the first step toward improvement. Writing is a skill, and like any skill, it requires deliberate practice and feedback.

Ways to Improve:

✔ Read critically—analyze how great writers handle prose, dialogue, and pacing.

✔ Get feedback—join a writing group or workshop.

✔ Revise intentionally—don’t just write more, rewrite better.

✔ Experiment—push your boundaries and try new techniques.

✔ Be patient—writing mastery takes time and effort.

By focusing on these areas, beginner writers can transition from Developing Writers to Emerging Writers—those who are refining their craft and finding their unique voice. Every writer starts somewhere, but the ones who grow are those who recognize their weaknesses and actively work to improve.

So, which of these areas do you struggle with the most? And what’s your plan to level up?