Common Pitfalls in First Drafts—And How to Avoid Them
Whether you’re a seasoned novelist or a first-time storyteller, the first draft is often a wild ride. It’s messy, full of promise, and sometimes downright confusing. But that’s okay—first drafts are meant to be imperfect. That said, being aware of a few common pitfalls can make your writing process smoother and your revisions less daunting.
Here are some of the usual traps writers fall into—and how to sidestep them with grace.
1. Starting Without a Clear Direction
The Pitfall: Jumping in without a plan can lead to meandering plots, underdeveloped characters, and themes that disappear halfway through.
How to Avoid It:
You don’t need a detailed outline (unless you love those), but having a general sense of your main character’s goal, the central conflict, and the ending helps anchor your story. Think of it as setting a destination in your GPS—you’re still free to take detours, but you won’t get completely lost.
2. Overwriting or Underwriting
The Pitfall: First drafts often swing to extremes. Some writers over-describe every gesture and object. Others leave too much unsaid.
How to Avoid It:
Ask yourself: What does the reader need to know right now? Don’t stress about getting it perfect—just flag overly dense or overly sparse areas for your second pass. Draft 1 is for telling the story. Draft 2 is for making it readable.
3. Infodumps and Backstory Overload
The Pitfall: It’s tempting to explain everything upfront—character histories, world-building details, family trees—but too much too soon bogs down the narrative.
How to Avoid It:
Weave backstory into dialogue, conflict, and character choices. If you’re unsure whether a piece of info is necessary in Chapter 1, it probably isn’t. Sprinkle, don’t pour.
4. Flat or Inconsistent Characters
The Pitfall: Characters who all sound the same, lack motivation, or behave out of character to serve the plot.
How to Avoid It:
Give your main characters clear wants and flaws. When in doubt, return to their core desire: What do they want—and what are they afraid of? Keep a brief character sketch handy to stay consistent.
5. Writing Scene After Scene Without Rising Tension
The Pitfall: The story moves, but nothing really happens. Characters talk, travel, think—but stakes remain low.
How to Avoid It:
Each scene should change something—internally or externally. Ask: What’s at stake here? What could be lost or gained? Build tension through conflict, not just action.
6. Neglecting the Voice
The Pitfall: A flat or generic voice that doesn’t match the story’s tone or character.
How to Avoid It:
Don’t try to sound “writerly.” Write like the character thinks (in fiction) or like you talk (in nonfiction). That authentic voice is what hooks readers and makes your story memorable.
7. Perfection Paralysis
The Pitfall: Obsessing over each sentence and trying to polish as you go can lead to burnout and unfinished drafts.
How to Avoid It:
Remember: a messy first draft is a finished first draft. Silence your inner editor. Give yourself permission to write badly, and trust you’ll make it better later.
Final Word
The first draft is only the beginning. Its job is not to be perfect, but to exist. Be kind to yourself, celebrate progress over polish, and keep the momentum going. Writing is a process, and the beauty often emerges in revision.
Have you noticed any of these in your own drafts? Or do you have your own “pitfall and fix” to share? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!
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