First and foremost, this problem affects *everybody* not just beginners. So...don't get too down on yourself! =)
Here is what worked for me...
Think of a lead guitar solo as a song in its own right. What I usually do is take the melody line of the song I'm playing in its most plain form and then build off that. I will play the melody first clean and straight. Then start to twist it around a bit. Instead of playing a note plain, just bend up to it. When you move from one note to another, instead of just moving, slide. Start with one change at a time and keep adding changes. Of course don't throw so many tricks in there that you lose the overall melody. You can also play part of the melody in one position and then the rest of it an octave higher. To get to that octave higher... add some transition notes or tricks (hammer runs, pulloffs, slides, etc).
I hope that helped...if you need more suggestions..let me know.
Good luck...