[Tipster] What Is a Plot Hole and Why You Need to Think Harder about Your Story

I am a story snob.

I’m not as bad as my cousin whose critiques are borderline nitpicky. But I have high expectations for the media and literature I consume.  

I don’t like to waste my time or money.

If it’s not a good story—believable narrative, consistent character action, meaningful theme—I’m not interested.

Last month my family and I saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. I’m a fan of the first two movies. I admit, their stories are simple, but the humor and characters make up for that.

At the movie’s conclusion, my mom and sister shared what they liked about the movie (and how much they cried).

I, on the other hand, didn’t have much positive to say. It was an okay movie. I never need to see it again. 

My biggest complaint (outside of forced humor)? The characters’ decisions were inconsistent with the characters themselves. The story was unbelievable.

My mom and sister rolled their eyes, grumbling, “You’re thinking too hard about it.”

That’s the thing.

I wasn’t thinking too hard about it.

The writer wasn’t thinking hard enough.

Readers Want Believability

It’s common for writers (new writers especially) to ignore or overlook the logic of their story. Some of the problems are minor. Others are so major they require a complete rewrite.

Typically, those writers have not thought hard enough about their story, specifically the believability of their story. They think Oh, it’s a novel in a fantasy world I’ve created. I can do whatever I want.

Not exactly true.

Readers want stories that are logical and consistent with the narrative and established context.

Readers want a story that is believable within the confines of the story’s world.

There’s nothing worse than reading a book to the end and being cheated by an inconsistency or contradiction.

That’s a plot hole.  And there’s nothing more disappointing or confusing. 

What Is a Plot Hole?

A plot hole is a gap or inconsistency between the established rules, logic, and narrative of an existing plot point and the contradicting result of another.

The most common plot hole is an inconsistency in the narrative arc or logic of the established story. These inconsistencies tend to be major things: undermining previous character development for shock value, ignoring pre-established rules in favor of furthering the plot, relying on a contrived external force or coincidence to solve a problem. 

Contradictory information and continuity errors are also considered plot holes.

Plot holes are easy to overlook, especially if you’re not thinking hard enough about your plot and characters. 

We worked on a manuscript with a writer whose main character was a young girl, Susie. She lived with her pretentious, wealthy mother who was mistrustful and private with her life. The mother rarely allowed Susie to play with other children, and she maintained an aloof demeanor around her neighbors.

A chapter later and the mother shares with her neighbor that the police were called to her house on suspicion of drug use. They threatened to remove Susie from her custody.

What!?

It smacks of contradiction. The woman is depicted as aloof and guarded, yet suddenly will freely admit to a neighbor she openly despises that she was suspected of drug use? And that Susie might be taken from her?

Outright unbelievable, from the reader’s perspective. And inconsistent with the character’s personality established earlier in the story. 

Think Harder about Your Story

Plot holes, while frustrating to correct and overcome, force you to spend additional time with your writing.

They demand you refine the logic of you plot and believability of your characters.

They challenge you to consider the smallest details of your writing to maintain consistency.

And they force you to think harder about your story.

As you work with your manuscript, ask yourself:

• Are your characters true to their personalities and development?
• Is your plot believable within the confines of your story’s world?
• Are your characters solving problems in congruence to the rules established by your story?

Take time with your manuscript to think about what inconsistencies, illogical behavior, and contradictory information may exist. Your readers will thank you.

Now buckle up and write.

Allison Parks
Production Manager and Book Coach