Every writer has their own strengths and weaknesses, but when it comes to beginning writers, there’s one thing they usually have in common.  They more often than not suffer from what I call bubble syndrome (which plagued the first draft of Dragon’s Heart- still does in some places).  Basically, this is when the writer suspends his character in a tiny little blank bubble with no sound and has them float through the story, only coming into contact with the outside world when the plot needs them to.  Bubble syndrome is caused by the writer being so anxious to move forward with the story that they forget to color in the background.  A common side-effect of this condition is info-dumping, where the writer tries to make up for the lack of description and reality by taking a paragraph of minute detailing and wedging it into the story at odd places that break up the suspense, action, and natural flow of the story.
It takes a lot of work to achieve, but if the writing is to feel natural and effortless to the reader, it must have a constant buzz in the background.  There must be movement and bustle and a whole world revolving without the main character.  It has to feel like the main character is one small person moving in a vast world.  We’re following them around, but the rest of the world isn’t.  Creating this buzz gives the whole story energy and reality.  Instead of distracting, having your character be one of a whole population actually focuses in on them.