Common Mistakes in 11+ Creative Writing (and How to Avoid Them)
Learn from typical pitfalls and discover strategies to avoid them in your exam writing.
The Top 10 Creative Writing Mistakes
1. The "It Was All a Dream" Ending
The Mistake: Ending with "And then I woke up—it was all just a dream!"
Why It's Wrong: This disappoints readers (and examiners) who invested in your story. It suggests you couldn't think of a proper ending.
✓ How to Fix It:
Plan a real ending from the start. Resolve your plot properly, even if the resolution is simple.
2. Starting with Too Much Introduction
The Mistake: "My name is Sarah. I am 11 years old. I live in London. I have brown hair and blue eyes..."
Why It's Wrong: It's boring and wastes valuable words on information that could be woven into the action.
✓ How to Fix It:
Start with action or an intriguing moment. Reveal character details gradually through the story.
Example: "Sarah's hands trembled as she reached for the mysterious envelope."
3. Overcomplicating the Plot
The Mistake: Trying to fit too many events, characters, or plot twists into a short piece.
Why It's Wrong: It leads to rushed, confusing writing that doesn't develop any element properly.
✓ How to Fix It:
Keep it simple. One main character, one clear situation, one resolution. Develop it well rather than rushing through multiple storylines.
4. Telling Instead of Showing
The Mistake: "Tom was scared. He was very nervous about going into the dark house."
Why It's Wrong: It doesn't engage the reader's imagination or create vivid images.
✓ How to Fix It:
Show feelings through actions, dialogue, and physical reactions.
Better: "Tom's heart hammered as he approached the dark house. His hand shook as he reached for the handle."
5. Using Clichés
The Mistake: "It was a dark and stormy night," "eyes like diamonds," "as brave as a lion"
Why It's Wrong: Clichés are overused phrases that don't show original thinking.
✓ How to Fix It:
Create your own comparisons and descriptions. Think of fresh ways to express ideas.
Instead of "white as snow," try "pale as moonlight on water"
6. Poor Paragraph Structure
The Mistake: Writing the entire story in one long paragraph or starting new paragraphs randomly.
Why It's Wrong: It makes reading difficult and suggests poor organization skills.
✓ How to Fix It:
Start a new paragraph for:
- Each new idea or event
- Each change of time or place
- Each new speaker in dialogue
7. Dialogue Punctuation Errors
The Mistake: "Hello" said Tom. or "Goodbye." Said Emma.
Why It's Wrong: Incorrect speech punctuation is one of the most common technical errors.
✓ How to Fix It:
Remember the rules:
- "Hello," said Tom. (comma inside, lowercase 'said')
- "I'm going!" shouted Emma. (exclamation inside)
- "Are you sure?" asked Mia. (question mark inside)
- "Yes." Tom nodded. (full stop when action follows)
8. Inconsistent Tense
The Mistake: "I walked down the street. Suddenly, I see a cat. It was black."
Why It's Wrong: Switching between past and present tense confuses readers.
✓ How to Fix It:
Choose either past or present tense at the start and stick to it throughout. Past tense is usually easier and safer for narrative writing.
9. Rushing the Ending
The Mistake: "And then everything was fine. The end."
Why It's Wrong: An abrupt, undeveloped ending wastes the effort you put into the rest of the story.
✓ How to Fix It:
Plan your ending first. Save 3-5 minutes to write a proper conclusion. Even if you're running short on time, write at least 2-3 sentences that properly close the story.
10. Using Words You Don't Understand
The Mistake: Trying to impress with complex words but using them incorrectly.
Why It's Wrong: Misused vocabulary damages your credibility and distracts from your story.
✓ How to Fix It:
Use ambitious vocabulary, but only words you're confident with. A well-used simple word is better than a misused complex one.
Pre-Writing Checklist
Before you start writing, ask yourself:
- ✓Do I have a clear plan with beginning, middle, and end?
- ✓Have I avoided an "it was a dream" ending?
- ✓Is my plot simple enough to develop properly in the time available?
- ✓Am I starting with action rather than lengthy introduction?
- ✓Do I know which tense I'm using?