How can you become aware of plot holes in your work so you can correct them? I am talking mainly about short stories, but it applies to novelllas/novels too. Do you wait until the first draft is done and find the plot holes in editing?
Plot holes?
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Usually. This is one reason why it's a good idea to wait a while before returning to a (finished) first draft. The less you remember about the story, the less your mind will fill in blanks that may exist in the story. (Those niggling little details you forget to write into the second scene or the subplot you meant to flesh out in the middle section or whatever.)
Of course, sometimes you figure it out as you continue writing. W and Y somehow don't add up to Z and you realize there needs to be an X in there somewhere.
In my case, sometimes this is easy. Other times it takes months for me to identify the real solution.
A mentor of a novel writing course told me that as soon you finish the first draft, step away from your book. Don't even think about it. The longer, the better(two weeks is ideal to him). Then when you come back, you'll be able to identify them easier.
yes, also you can give it to someone else and had them read it for you. Other people will see what you can't in your story
You can do a bit to avoid putting them in in the first place. It's best to always be aware of what or who is guiding the plot. If you are steering it in the direction you want, regardless of how you've set up the situation and the characters, you've got a problem. The plot should arise from the logical actions of characters interacting with each other and the environment. Always be on the lookout for unrealistic or illogical responses from your characters--if you ask me, that's how most plot holes spring up.
But, sometimes you just miss things. That's why time away (and a trusted first reader) can really help.
But, sometimes you just miss things. That's why time away (and a trusted first reader) can really help.
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That sounds like an awesome plan. Now if I could just acquire some patience...
When you do, can I have some?
My WIPs tend to be riddled with plot holes because I'm a pantser and not an outliner. I'm usually acutely aware of when something I've written later on creates a huge plot hole regarding something I wrote earlier, and will make a note that it will have to be addressed. I don't usually go back and fix it as soon as I'm aware of it, because who knows what else will change before I've finished.
That said, I agree that stepping away from the work and coming back to it with fresh eyes will allow you to see plot holes easier.
That said, I agree that stepping away from the work and coming back to it with fresh eyes will allow you to see plot holes easier.
stepping away doesn't work for me
I tend to remember novels pretty well even months later. I tried stopping for a month, it was like I hadn't walked away.
But the opposite approach does work. I obsess about it constantly. Go over it in my head, on the drive home, at the gym, before going to sleep. Sooner or later I get an aha!, that's not right moment.
Outlining what you've written, after you've written it, it also a big help. Nothing fancy, just a free flow two sentence description the the purpose of each chapter. That should lead to a few aha! moments as well.
I tend to remember novels pretty well even months later. I tried stopping for a month, it was like I hadn't walked away.
But the opposite approach does work. I obsess about it constantly. Go over it in my head, on the drive home, at the gym, before going to sleep. Sooner or later I get an aha!, that's not right moment.
Outlining what you've written, after you've written it, it also a big help. Nothing fancy, just a free flow two sentence description the the purpose of each chapter. That should lead to a few aha! moments as well.
Before I bang out the first draft, I like to take a minute to tell my story to someone in less than ten sentences. If it makes sense and sounds like a story, I proceed. If not, I rework it and try again. Minor inconsistencies and logical problems can usually be ironed out later if the story itself is in good shape. This little bit of thinking ahead can potentially save the story—or at least my sanity—so I consider it a great investment. (Note: This applies to short stories which are both simpler than novels and more closely related to oral storytelling.)
The only way that works for me is making darned sure there are no plot holes in the first place. Waiting does nothing for me, and never has.
My WIPs tend to be riddled with plot holes because I'm a pantser and not an outliner. I'm usually acutely aware of when something I've written later on creates a huge plot hole regarding something I wrote earlier, and will make a note that it will have to be addressed. I don't usually go back and fix it as soon as I'm aware of it, because who knows what else will change before I've finished.
I'm a huge outliner, and love creating rich backstories to my worlds and characters and whatnot, and I find I paint myself into plothole corners all the time. There more I develop my world, the more engrained it is in my mind, so my brain does what the OP said about filling in the holes automatically.
I deal with them as I go. Otherwise I'd end up with a mess.
As to how I spot them, or spot the potential for one--
As I write, I anticipate every possible credibility issue and address it then and there.
I wish Hollywood scriptwriters would do this.
This. I'm expecting to finish the first draft of a new one this week. At that point, I'm wasting no time in diving into another I have planned.
A couple of weeks from now, I'll be ready to go back and start working again on the one I've finished.
Between draft one, and two I usually leave it for 6 weeks to two months. I then start work on the next book in that time. Eventually the charcaters will drag me back, and I'll know what is wrong.
Around then, when I re-read I can normally tell when 'this doesn't make sense.' I also write a synopsis around this time which normal identifies problems.
Around then, when I re-read I can normally tell when 'this doesn't make sense.' I also write a synopsis around this time which normal identifies problems.
Yes to that synopsis -- I write a synopsis of not more than 200 words when I come back to revise a first draft.
That's often when I realise that there are plot holes or missing motivations, stuff that just doesn't add up -- if it takes me three long paragraphs to describe (explain to myself) what happens after Chapter 5, my plotting is poor.
That's often when I realise that there are plot holes or missing motivations, stuff that just doesn't add up -- if it takes me three long paragraphs to describe (explain to myself) what happens after Chapter 5, my plotting is poor.
Yeah, you kind of need a first draft in order to spot plot holes, unless you have a detailed enough outline, then you sould be able to spot some in that.
Apply logic.
Apply logic.
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This, for me at least. It also helps me see where my phrasing is awkward or my dialog sucks. I notice when I've described something the same way a hundred times, or used a word excessively ("ever" and "just" being two I'm often guilty of on first draft).
I spotted a pretty big plot hole. After I made a pass through correcting obvious grammar errors, I loaded the book on my e-reader, and read it like I would read any other book. It seemed easier to spot errors that way. I had a character who simply disappears without explanation, and is never heard from again. I have him a reason to leave, and that patches the plot hole, but the character just doesn't seem to have a lot to do anyway. I'm editing the story to weave the character back into the story later.
If possible I think it's best to make sure everything makes sense as you're writing it, or at least to make notes as to what you need to fix after you've finished.
Otherwise the danger is that you'll fix a plothole early on that turns out to have implications for the next scene, which then needs to be rewritten, which changes the scene after that...
I'm also reminded of a book I read recently where the author had clearly not initially considered what the sensible thing for certain characters to do in a situation might be, so they do something that moves the story forward but is amazingly stupid.
The author clearly noticed that in editing, so in the next scene we get a hasty conversation inserted that went something like this (example made up):
"So, tell me again why you stored that barrel of gunpowder underneath that dragon for safekeeping."
"Well, it was dark. And I got confused and thought the gunpowder was actually, um, wine. Because they both go in barrels, so it's totally logical. And I'm not paid to think. And also my wife is expecting a child."
"Oh, fine, as long as your motivation is explained all neat and tidy, we can now move on."
So, uh, try not to do that. Because it's really, really obvious.
Otherwise the danger is that you'll fix a plothole early on that turns out to have implications for the next scene, which then needs to be rewritten, which changes the scene after that...
I'm also reminded of a book I read recently where the author had clearly not initially considered what the sensible thing for certain characters to do in a situation might be, so they do something that moves the story forward but is amazingly stupid.
The author clearly noticed that in editing, so in the next scene we get a hasty conversation inserted that went something like this (example made up):
"So, tell me again why you stored that barrel of gunpowder underneath that dragon for safekeeping."
"Well, it was dark. And I got confused and thought the gunpowder was actually, um, wine. Because they both go in barrels, so it's totally logical. And I'm not paid to think. And also my wife is expecting a child."
"Oh, fine, as long as your motivation is explained all neat and tidy, we can now move on."
So, uh, try not to do that. Because it's really, really obvious.
Are you sure you didn't just take a walk around in my head? This is exactly like me. I end up writing and then outlining it later. If something doens't add up, I dig back in and figure out what went south.
I also obsess about it. I put my WIP down about 3 months ago because I just could not figure out how to end it. I knew WHAT I wanted to end it with, just not how to do it without dragging the book on for years. One day, after obsessing about it, it just popped in there.
There is something sad about not having a lightbulb forming over one's head when an idea springs in there.
I do detailed outlines before I start writing and address plot holes then. I had a few sneak through on my earlier projects, mainly that my characters kept changing back and forth between two motivations. I caught it when I was doing the second round of revisions on that book. Obviously I'd had two different ideas to begin with and failed to pick one, lol.
I always find inconsistencies in first drafts, but they're usually really minor stuff, like descriptions that are repeated or omitted entirely. That happens because I write out of order and don't always accurately predict what will be explained in earlier scenes which haven't been written yet. It's easy to correct on the first edit.
I'm do let projects sit for a while before editing usually, but that's because I'm procrastinating, not because I think it will make the editing easier, lol.
I always find inconsistencies in first drafts, but they're usually really minor stuff, like descriptions that are repeated or omitted entirely. That happens because I write out of order and don't always accurately predict what will be explained in earlier scenes which haven't been written yet. It's easy to correct on the first edit.
I'm do let projects sit for a while before editing usually, but that's because I'm procrastinating, not because I think it will make the editing easier, lol.
Three things:
First, just write it. Don't worry about anything else. Get the words down on the page and put a muzzle on your inner-editor.
Second, once you finish writing the story/novella/novel, put it away for at least a week, if not a month. Hide it! Under the bed if you need to! DO NOT LOOK! Then, go back and print it out. No pens allowed for the first read through. Just read it as if you were the buyer. See any holes? Anything that makes no damn sense? Now pick up your pen, mark the problems, and rewrite.
Third, always get a second opinion, especially if you're a new author. If you're sure of your grammar/technical skills, this reader doesn't even have to be an editor or writer or English teacher. However, DON'T pick a family member or very close friend who will pad their criticism because they love you. Writer's groups are great for this, as are internet friends from places like Absolute Write. It can be very hard to see the plot holes when you're too close to the story, especially if you've been working on it for a long time. New eyes make all the difference.
Good luck!
Wait until the first draft is done.
I doubt I'm unique but my first draft took me 10 years to complete. And I did it the worst possible way.
I wrote the beginning.
I wrote the climax.
I wrote some stuff in the middle.
I wrote the end.
All in separate files. Over 10 years.
SO. I mish mashed them together. The beginning became the middle and I had to rewrote the beginning. Then I read through it (as I'm filling in these holes) and asked myself questions.
Why does the MC undergo a dramatic personality change part way through?
Why does the landscape change repeatedly?
Why is his horse three different colors in the same scene?
What are her powers exactly?
Instead of ripping my hair out I fixed what I found. Then I read it again...and again. Some plot holes are cavernous, others are less noticeable.
I am happy to say my plot holes are now filled with plot.
Look! I grew a novel!My next one I have completely written in my head so 1. it shouldn't take ten years 2. I shouldn't have the continuity/plot issues I had with the current one.
As many have suggested, let your work breathe for a while. And this 'while' could be subjective. But once you feel you have given it enough time, tackle it with fresh eyes. You would surprise yourself.
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