As an editor, I find nothing more uncomfortable than having to tell a writer about a flaw in a draft that pertains to a plot hole. And often I'll be asked to define this tear in the fabric of a story that makes a section of the narrative unrealistic for what I refer to as a reader's "acceptability quotient."
Plot Holes Can Crop Up Anywhere
The tendency is to assume a plot deficiency occurs only at the end of the story, and while this indeed does happen, it's often easiest to remedy with a denouement. The problem I've found, however, is that the more elements revealed at the end of the story, the weaker the overall plotline. If I'm reading a couple of pages of plot resolution at the very last of a narrative, I generally suggest that the writer go back and work on these elements so they're brought out and resolved within the framework of the text.
Types of Plot Holes
The most obvious plot hole is anything that requires a deus ex machinato save the day. I always hate when an otherwise good story requires a preternatural event to reconcile a plot element. But plot holes are more insidious than purely contrived events. How do characters make it cross country in a day in an automobile? Or heal from horrific wounds in three days? How does a year pass in a story and the only person who is affected by this is the lead character?
Chronology Is a Factor Never to Lose Site of
Time is a big deal, and it contributes to plot problems as much as anything. When a year passes, everyone it the story is impacted by this. What did they do during that year? Quite commonly, even the best writers can't effectively fill long gaps, and it's a reason I suggest writing tight timelines whenever possible, and especially with mysteries and thrillers.
Inconsistency Creates Plot Holes
Readers don't have to know that characters go to the bathroom, eat every meal, answer each phone call, etc., but if a character has a lisp on page 4, it can't have been cured by the middle of the next page. Mary can't be two months pregnant in June and have a baby that has gone full term by August. Tom can't be fired in December, but working for the same firm in April, without an explanation. A boat that's destroyed in a storm can't reappear in the final scene--with the reader told that the craft really wasn't dashed against the rocks as first reported. Shakespeare could get away with it; the rest of us can't.
Not Finishing Threads Can Cause as Many Problems as Anything
It certainly is easy to take a run at one Pulitzer Winner, INDEPENDENCE DAY, by Richard Ford. But my reason for disliking this book has nothing to do with anything I saw on the review sites or the opinions of people I respect who read the book. My reason was because the thread regarding the murdered realtor, which Mr. Price brought up twice, was never tied up for the reader. In my opinion, it was the only true plot element in the entire story, and it was ignored. (If you haven't read the novel, it has no plot, just the idle ramblings of a neurotic malcontent during a three-day Fourth of July holiday. If you like Virginia Woolf, you'll likely enjoy this; if not, you might want to stay away.) As to my point, I don't see how this open thread ever got by the editors at Knopf.
Major Writers Get Away With Plot Holes, the Rest of the World of Writers Can't
Disregarding my reference to THE TEMPEST, in THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE, how is it that a man as meticulous as Der Needle would leave a door unlocked so his landlady could walk in on him while he was on his radio transmitting to the Germans? This occurring when the entire story was a testament to this assassin's extreme caution with everything he did?
Everyone has plenty of examples of the sort of missteps I just mentioned. Established writers are cut a lot of slack for reasons that boggle the mind of any person working hard to try to make it in this business. But a major requirement, like it or not--for anyone striving to attract a mainstream publisher--is to provide work that is devoid of inconsistencies which create holes in the plot.
Robert L. Bacon, Founder
The Perfect Write®
New Free Manuscript Service for Serious Writers! The Perfect Write® is now providing a Free Opening-Chapter Critique and Line Edit. Paste the first chapter of your manuscript (up to 5000 words) to theperfectwrite@aol.com (no attachments). In addition to the critique, The Perfect Write® will line edit, if applicable, up to the first three-pages of your double-spaced material also at no charge.
Also Free! Receive The Perfect Write® Newsletters that feature articles on writing at a publishable level.
By: Robert L. Bacon
Plot Holes Can Crop Up Anywhere
The tendency is to assume a plot deficiency occurs only at the end of the story, and while this indeed does happen, it's often easiest to remedy with a denouement. The problem I've found, however, is that the more elements revealed at the end of the story, the weaker the overall plotline. If I'm reading a couple of pages of plot resolution at the very last of a narrative, I generally suggest that the writer go back and work on these elements so they're brought out and resolved within the framework of the text.
Types of Plot Holes
The most obvious plot hole is anything that requires a deus ex machinato save the day. I always hate when an otherwise good story requires a preternatural event to reconcile a plot element. But plot holes are more insidious than purely contrived events. How do characters make it cross country in a day in an automobile? Or heal from horrific wounds in three days? How does a year pass in a story and the only person who is affected by this is the lead character?
Chronology Is a Factor Never to Lose Site of
Time is a big deal, and it contributes to plot problems as much as anything. When a year passes, everyone it the story is impacted by this. What did they do during that year? Quite commonly, even the best writers can't effectively fill long gaps, and it's a reason I suggest writing tight timelines whenever possible, and especially with mysteries and thrillers.
Inconsistency Creates Plot Holes
Readers don't have to know that characters go to the bathroom, eat every meal, answer each phone call, etc., but if a character has a lisp on page 4, it can't have been cured by the middle of the next page. Mary can't be two months pregnant in June and have a baby that has gone full term by August. Tom can't be fired in December, but working for the same firm in April, without an explanation. A boat that's destroyed in a storm can't reappear in the final scene--with the reader told that the craft really wasn't dashed against the rocks as first reported. Shakespeare could get away with it; the rest of us can't.
Not Finishing Threads Can Cause as Many Problems as Anything
It certainly is easy to take a run at one Pulitzer Winner, INDEPENDENCE DAY, by Richard Ford. But my reason for disliking this book has nothing to do with anything I saw on the review sites or the opinions of people I respect who read the book. My reason was because the thread regarding the murdered realtor, which Mr. Price brought up twice, was never tied up for the reader. In my opinion, it was the only true plot element in the entire story, and it was ignored. (If you haven't read the novel, it has no plot, just the idle ramblings of a neurotic malcontent during a three-day Fourth of July holiday. If you like Virginia Woolf, you'll likely enjoy this; if not, you might want to stay away.) As to my point, I don't see how this open thread ever got by the editors at Knopf.
Major Writers Get Away With Plot Holes, the Rest of the World of Writers Can't
Disregarding my reference to THE TEMPEST, in THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE, how is it that a man as meticulous as Der Needle would leave a door unlocked so his landlady could walk in on him while he was on his radio transmitting to the Germans? This occurring when the entire story was a testament to this assassin's extreme caution with everything he did?
Everyone has plenty of examples of the sort of missteps I just mentioned. Established writers are cut a lot of slack for reasons that boggle the mind of any person working hard to try to make it in this business. But a major requirement, like it or not--for anyone striving to attract a mainstream publisher--is to provide work that is devoid of inconsistencies which create holes in the plot.
Robert L. Bacon, Founder
The Perfect Write®
New Free Manuscript Service for Serious Writers! The Perfect Write® is now providing a Free Opening-Chapter Critique and Line Edit. Paste the first chapter of your manuscript (up to 5000 words) to theperfectwrite@aol.com (no attachments). In addition to the critique, The Perfect Write® will line edit, if applicable, up to the first three-pages of your double-spaced material also at no charge.
Also Free! Receive The Perfect Write® Newsletters that feature articles on writing at a publishable level.
By: Robert L. Bacon
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