* Lack of conflict: A story needs a central conflict – a problem or challenge that the protagonist must overcome. Without conflict, there's no tension or reason for the reader to care what happens.
* Uninteresting characters: Characters who are bland, unmotivated, or lack depth fail to resonate with the reader. We need to care about what happens to them.
* Weak plot: A plot that is predictable, meandering, or lacks a clear purpose will leave the reader bored. There's no sense of forward momentum or discovery.
* Lack of stakes: The reader needs to understand what's at risk for the characters. If the consequences of failure are minimal, the story feels inconsequential.
* Poor pacing: A story that drags on unnecessarily or rushes through important events can kill its energy and engagement.
* Unbelievable or unrealistic elements: While fantasy and science fiction can have fantastical elements, everything within the story needs to be internally consistent and believable within its own established rules. Inconsistent world-building or implausible events can break the reader's immersion.
Essentially, a dead story is one that fails to fulfill its potential as a narrative. It lacks the elements that make a story compelling and memorable. It's not necessarily poorly written, but it simply lacks the spark that ignites the reader's interest.