7 Cringeworthy MISTAKES Beginner Writers Make ❌ (avoid these pitfalls!)

Summary

In this video, the speaker outlines seven common mistakes beginner writers often make and provides tips for avoiding them. These mistakes include over-relying on external conflict, failing to define the protagonist’s fatal flaw, and neglecting story structure. The speaker emphasizes the importance of character-driven storytelling, defining characters’ internal conflicts and goals, and ensuring pacing consistency. Writers are encouraged to embrace story structure to enhance creativity, and the value of transformative character arcs is highlighted. The video aims to help aspiring writers improve their craft, creating compelling, meaningful stories that resonate with readers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prioritize internal conflict over external conflict for a deeper, more meaningful story.
• 😀 A character's fatal flaw (misbelief) is essential for their arc and drives the plot's emotional depth.
• 😀 Side characters should have goals and motives, not just roles to fill, to make them more compelling.
• 😀 Story structure should serve your creativity, helping you see the bigger picture and streamline revisions.
• 😀 Consistent pacing is crucial—avoid dragging or overly fast-paced scenes to maintain reader engagement.
• 😀 Show, don’t tell: Engage readers emotionally by illustrating actions and emotions rather than stating them.
• 😀 The protagonist's transformative moment (the 'aha' moment) is key to a satisfying character arc and story resolution.
• 😀 Avoid the trap of writing random events by ensuring your character’s journey is purposeful and meaningful.
• 😀 A well-structured plot helps you edit more effectively, preventing major rewrites and ensuring smoother revisions.
• 😀 Transformative moments should reflect personal truths and meaningful experiences to leave a lasting impact on readers.

Q & A

What are the seven beginner writing mistakes mentioned in the video?

The seven mistakes are: 1) Relying too much on external conflict and not enough on internal conflict, 2) Failing to define the protagonist's fatal flaw, 3) Giving side characters roles to play instead of goals to pursue, 4) No story structure, 5) Inconsistent pacing, 6) Telling instead of showing, 7) No transformative moment in the character arc.

Why is internal conflict considered more important than external conflict?

Internal conflict is important because it helps to define why the events in a story matter to the protagonist. Without it, external conflict becomes meaningless, as readers won't understand why the character's challenges matter on a deeper level.

What is a fatal flaw and why is it crucial for character development?

A fatal flaw is a misbelief that the protagonist holds about themselves or the world. It’s often rooted in past experiences or trauma, and overcoming this flaw is central to their growth. It gives the character’s journey meaning and stakes, making the story engaging and emotionally resonant.

What is the problem with giving side characters only roles instead of goals?

Side characters should have their own goals and internal conflicts rather than just fulfilling roles required by the plot. This adds depth to the characters and ensures they contribute meaningfully to the protagonist's journey, making the story richer and more complex.

How does story structure benefit writers, particularly beginners?

Story structure provides a clear framework that helps writers organize their plot, making it easier to develop characters, pacing, and themes. It also aids in the revision process, ensuring that major story issues are identified and addressed before the draft is finalized.

What advice does the video give for dealing with inconsistent pacing in a story?

The video suggests looking at your story from a higher perspective using story structure to ensure the pacing is balanced. Writers should avoid long, drawn-out scenes and filler chapters while maintaining momentum with properly spaced action and character development.

What is the 'show, don't tell' rule and how can it improve writing?

The 'show, don’t tell' rule encourages writers to reveal emotions, actions, and settings through actions and sensory details rather than simply stating them. This approach helps readers engage emotionally with the characters and story, making the writing feel more immersive and impactful.

Why is the protagonist's transformative moment, or 'aha moment', so important?

The 'aha moment' represents the turning point in the protagonist's journey when they realize the truth about their fatal flaw. This moment is key to their character arc, allowing them to overcome their inner conflict and face the story's challenges with newfound clarity and strength.

What should writers focus on to avoid creating stories that feel flat or unimportant?

Writers should focus on creating characters with meaningful internal conflicts and fatal flaws that affect their decisions and actions. By doing so, the plot becomes more emotionally engaging, and readers will connect more deeply with the story.

What is the purpose of the author's live training, and who is it for?

The live training aims to help aspiring writers, especially beginners, structure and develop their stories. It provides guidance on character development, plotting, and finding meaning in stories. The training is particularly useful for those participating in NaNoWriMo or anyone looking to improve their writing skills.