#192. 5 Big-Picture First Draft Mistakes (& How To Fix Them)

Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them. Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you"re feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you"re so not alone.  As a developmental editor, I"ve reviewed hundreds of first drafts, and I"ve noticed that most new writers struggle with the same core issues—problems that have nothing to do with your writing talent, but everything to do with fundamental story principles. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 most common big-picture mistakes I see writers make in their first drafts (and exactly what you can do to fix them).  You"ll hear me talk about things like:[00:00] How to figure out if your story starts in the right place (and the one simple question that can help you find the perfect spot to begin your first chapter)[00:00] The difference between meaningful conflict vs. random plot events—and why your protagonist’s transformation depends on this key storytelling element[00:00] How to fix weak narrative drive (aka the dreaded "so what?" problem that causes readers to abandon books), and how to create seamless scene-to-scene connections[00:00] Character development strategies for increasing emotional stakes in your novel without resorting to melodramatic plot twists or artificial tension[00:00] The one mistake that might make readers feel cheated at the end of your novel (even if they can"t explain why), and how to fix it If you"ve finished your first draft but feel something"s not quite working, or if you"re struggling to revise a manuscript that just doesn"t seem to come together, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to transform your story! 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Novel Editing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Editing Your First Draft (Free Guide)Ep. #13 - 5 Things That Kill Narrative Drive (& How To Fix It)Ep. #18 - 5 Mistakes Writers Make In Their Opening PagesEp. #118 - How To Find The Major Dramatic Question Of Your StoryEp. #145 - How To Develop Your Character’s BackstoryEp. #149 - 5 Questions To Develop Better AntagonistsWant my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program. ⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025. FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Support the show 👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.