Do plot holes come with the territory?

Escape Artist · Dec 12, 2011

In the fantasy realm, that is.

I love coming up with new worlds and beings and the deities who created them all, (deities if only because as a creative person myself, I cannot imagine that all of this just poofed into existence of its own accord, but that's my hangup - no offense to anyone else's beliefs, and I do realize that the theory is more than just a "poof"), but the problem with creating new worlds and beings is that eventually you run into holes and I'm wondering if they're just plain unavoidable. If they're something I'm just going to have to learn to live with.

How do you guys deal with plot holes, especially in regards to the world itself or its inhabitants? Do you avoid nitty-gritty details which often only emphasize plot holes? Do you leave lots of room for reader speculation on why things are possible when common sense would tell you they're not?

I'm not big on using magic to explain everything away. I'll read books that utilize magic and enjoy them, too, but I don't care to write it simply because it seems like a catch-all excuse to the things that the author cannot find a viable explanation for. I'm thinking of a book in particular where the protagonist at one time mentions that sometimes magic works on her and sometimes not, and I was like, what? I guess I can chalk that up to a whole YMMV type of deal, but still, it seemed kind of copout-ish.

Maybe I have a basic misunderstanding of the term itself. When I see the word magic, I think of cauldrons and spells and words of power and all that mess, but perhaps that's an extremely limited view of it. Anyone have any other examples of what might be considered magic?

I swear, sometimes I think I should just stick to earth as we know it and all its rules because at least they're tried and true and not easily refuted, but gosh if I don't love me some fantasy stuff.

Anninyn · Dec 12, 2011

Well, I've just realised a potential 'natural laws' problem with my WIP but I think I fixed it *phew*.

In all honesty, I don't think they do. I think it is easier for plot holes and inconsistencies to be allowed to exist in this world- and some readers will always overthink things (myself included)- but I;ve read plenty of very good fantasy with none.

Teinz · Dec 12, 2011

Escape Artist said:
Do you avoid nitty-gritty details which often only emphasize plot holes?

Nope, I work them till they make sense. I need to know how it all works, even if a large portion of it will never make the final version of the story.

Oh and no, I don't think fantasy is a partical plothole rich territory.

Escape Artist · Dec 12, 2011

So it's just me, then. That's rather disheartening, it is. Any tips?

Teinz · Dec 12, 2011

What helped me enormously, was writing a history of my story. From there, I could start the tweaking.

Filigree · Dec 12, 2011

I had to work out a series bible, to figure out all the really big mistakes and fix them before starting on the individual stories. Knowing the big picture gives me freedom with smaller story-arcs, but enough guidance to keep plot holes from forming. Granted, I've been playing in this sandbox for a long time, so I've had lots of 'aha, that's why that happened!' moments.

If you can see a plot hole, your readers probably will, too.

Polenth · Dec 12, 2011

If it's a genuine plot hole, I sort it. But I don't avoid the world seeming bigger than the words on the page. There will be things that aren't explained.

BethS · Dec 12, 2011

Escape Artist said:
So it's just me, then. That's rather disheartening, it is. Any tips?

Your original explanation was kind of vague. What sort of plot holes? Can you give a specific example?

Ambri · Dec 12, 2011

Are you talking about actual plot holes (such as might be found on certain SF TV series) or world-building inconsistencies? Your example seems to be the latter. I might suggest doing some world-building, so you have all this background to work from. The SFWA website has a couple of really helpful world-building articles that might get you jump-started. Good luck.

Luwain · Dec 12, 2011

Sometimes I really want to rip my face off when I'm writing.

The main character from my current work in progress is the last child born to her race (or species). She is in "constant danger" when travelling in the world, because those who destroyed her people might want to kill her too. She has a "magical power" running through her veins and she must receive guidance from an old relative in order to learn to master it. The old man teaches her to turn into an animal. After I realized she could have asked to turn herself into a human... I had to come up with an explanation for that and it wasn't easy. I'm still not sure if I'm satisfied with my solution.

Anyway, it's not easy to invent something perfect. Also, when everything is explained, it might not be that fascinating. I myself need to understand everything that happens on the pages of MY stories, but I don't always see the "plot-holes" or world-inconsistency in the work of others.

Dreambrewer · Dec 12, 2011

Personally, I detest plot holes to an almost obsessive degree. It enrages me to see a plot hole in any sort of work, and my enjoyment of it decreases greatly.

To me, a plot hole means something that can, or can't, be solved by something but the opposite happens. For example, if someone is shot with a gun and it has no effect, that's fine. But if in the end someone shoots that same guy with a gun and he dies, that is a plot hole if unexplained. Why did he not die in the first place, but died in the end? Or if the heroes conveniently forget they have this all powerful artifact in their pocket, but won't use it to save the day trivially, when they clearly should. If it isn't explained why they didn't use it, it becomes a plot hole.

But this doesn't mean everything should be explained, or that everything that is unexplained is a plot hole. Take the guy who was shot with a gun and nothing happened. It isn't a plot hole if you never explain why he is immune, so long as it's consistent that he is immune.

In regards of your question itself, I'm not sure if my understanding of the term plot hole is the same as yours. Suppose you have a volcano that spews out wine every 10 years. Surely there is no need to explain it, and indeed, even I as the writer do not need to know why or how it works. But if it suddenly stops and doesn't spew wine when it should, there should be a reason to it. If a terrible man-eating monster lives near a small village, but doesn't eat the villagers, there needs to be a reason for it, or it is a plot hole.

In short: Consistency.

Ian Isaro · Dec 13, 2011

I'd also like to know if you're really concerned about plot holes or worldbuilding details. I'd say there are other genres that have larger problems with plot holes, like mysteries or thrillers.

Escape Artist said:
Maybe I have a basic misunderstanding of the term itself. When I see the word magic, I think of cauldrons and spells and words of power and all that mess, but perhaps that's an extremely limited view of it. Anyone have any other examples of what might be considered magic?

Off-hand, I'd say magic is anything that lies outside the real world's system of physics. A system of ghosts and spirit abilities is magic, or psychic powers, or a world where the concept of chi is real, and so on. You can even have elaborate rules and explanations for your system, making it operate on scientific principles, but it's still magic if it exists outside of physics as we know it.

ironmikezero · Dec 13, 2011

I like to think of plot holes as moments of opportunity to draw the reader into some personal speculation - they're along for the ride, so let them contribute. I'll usually weave a suggestion within the context of the scene that might explain some aspect of the quandary, but the reader is encouraged to extrapolate and imagine a plausible explanation. Later they may find out if they're right - or maybe not. Some things are intended as perpetual mysteries.

As for another perspective on magic... Remember Aurthur C. Clarke's observation that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

mmallico · Dec 13, 2011

I just do the best I can to try to fill them in. I would recommend just telling your story, and then reading your work critically. Holes are bound to get through, but I think that just taking a step back and letting in a breath is the best thing you can do.

Atarrin · Jan 12, 2012

If I notice a plot-hole either in the story itself or in the world, I try to fix it. Sometimes it is difficult and sometimes it causes you to take the story/world to some places you never meant it to go, but...that's just what you have to do.

As someone said above, if you, the author, see a plot hole, then your readers will too. I find beta readers very helpful in this regard as well. Their separation from the world and its characters allows them to see certain plot holes that I, the author, may be blind too.

Bufty · Jan 12, 2012

World-building anomolies or discrepancies are not the same thing as plot holes but both should be avoided.

To wonder if they 'come with the territory' suggests they are to be expected and/or acceptable in some way.

MattW · Jan 12, 2012

There's no plot hole that can't be filled with the right quantities of blood and guts (or pixie dust if you are more inclined).

Anne Lyle · Jan 12, 2012

I think there's some potential overlap between plot holes and inconsistent world-building, in that the latter can lead to the former. As has been said, if you can see inconsistencies in the story, you really ought to fix them. The fact that you may have seen them in published books is no excuse - there are some stinkers out there, in all genres!

I don't think you need to explain everything in the book, whether that's the magic or history or whatever, but in your own head you need to have some consistent underpinnings that - if a diligent reader pieced the clues together - would make sense.

For example in my current trilogy, iron affects magic. Or rather, ferro-magnetic minerals affect magic, but the primitive scientific knowledge of the period limits the characters' understanding of how the "supernatural physics" works. I don't explain it, because the characters don't understand the underlying principles, but hopefully everything you see in the story is consistent.

Does that help?

Buffysquirrel · Jan 12, 2012

I had an interesting problem where I had to do a bit of fiddling around to explain how something could have been discovered after the Book of How It Was Done had fallen into the wrong hands, but before protag fell into them too (for the first time). OTOH I never do explain how the protag's mother acquired the Magical Artefact.

The plot holes I worry about aren't the ones I do find.

Anne Lyle · Jan 12, 2012

Of course some of the best stuff comes out of having to fix plot holes you never expected. I liked how Babylon 5 dealt with the issue of actor Michael O'Hare's departure in the episode "Babylon Squared", for example

lbender · Jan 12, 2012

No, they don't. As others have said, they drive me crazy. However, as others have also said, they're hardly exclusive to fantasy. I've done a number of Beta reads, and they're in every genre I've seen.

How to avoid them? Try really hard - and when you have some anyway, go back and fix them. That's what rewrites are for. Is it easy? Not at all. Nothing worthwhile is. I'm going to stop now before I bring up any more cliches, but remember that many cliches do become that way because they are truths.

Buffysquirrel · Jan 12, 2012

I have never forgotten the mistake in one of my alt hist novels, where protag is supposedly desperate to possess a handgun, yet ignores one that falls literally at his feet. Gah. And aargh. And what was I thinking?

Smiling Ted · Jan 12, 2012

Are you all crazy? Plot holes are Da Bomb!
Just last week I collected all the plot holes from my previous works and assembled them into a novel of their own.

Do plot holes come with the territory?

Escape Artist

Plotting her escape...

Anninyn

Stealing your twiglets.

Teinz

Back at it again.

Escape Artist

Plotting her escape...

Teinz

Back at it again.

Filigree

Mildly Disturbing

Polenth

Mushroom

BethS

Ambri

Plotting something

Luwain

Dreambrewer

Ian Isaro

New Member

ironmikezero

practical experience, FTW

mmallico

Atarrin

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

MattW

Company Man

Anne Lyle

Fantastic historian

Buffysquirrel

Anne Lyle

Fantastic historian

lbender

Buffysquirrel

Smiling Ted

Ah-HA!