: Writing characters as plot devices instead of people with their own values and objectives.

: Using "infodumping" where characters explain things solely for the reader's benefit rather than for natural story-driven reasons.

Writing is often described as an because it requires mastering a formal dialect that differs from the innate, spoken grammar we internalize in childhood. When writing feels forced, it is usually due to a disconnect between the author’s intent and the reader's expectation of flow. 🛑 Why Writing Feels "Unnatural"