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How to keep plot holes out of your storyline

Don't fall down that plot hole!
Man falling down through the skyPlot holes come in many sizes, ranging from those that would take Sherlock Holmes to discover, to those that are so big that they can suck down an entire storyline. That said, many famous and successful films contain plot holes. In these films, the lapses in plot are small, or appear in a genre where they are more acceptable, or are camouflaged by mind-numbing special effects.

The problem, though, is that when someone reads your book or film idea, plot holes tend to stand out. This is because reading is an exercise in concentration where the audience cannot just "Zone Out" as they can while watching a film. Sooner or later an editor will need to read your story. And however much we appreciate these discerning individuals, none of us like to receive a rejection.

Also, because you are a good writer, you want to keep plot holes out of your story. Therefore, let us see how we can identify and eliminate them.

Plot Hole - Definition
Instinctively, we notice when something is missing or makes no sense in a story. These plot holes can be described more technically as:
  • An essential element in the plot that is missing.
  • An element in the plot that contradicts another element.
  • An element in the plot that is impossible, given the rules of the universe in which the story exists.
All of these fail because they are illogical. Perfect logic is present when every element in your story coexists satisfactorily with every other element. When that happens, there are no holes, contradictions or impossibilities.

Plot Hole - Examples
This does not mean that good writers never produce plot holes. Here are some examples ranging from the minor to the ridiculous. Possible fixes accompany each example.

The Shawshank Redemption
In this film, a poster of Raquel Welch covers the entrance of Andy Dufresne's escape tunnel. There is the small problem in understanding how he manages to cover this entrance with a poster from within the tunnel. This is a minor problem with a wonderful film.

Instead of using a fix, problems like this can be solved by a reasonable explanation. It is possible to think of ways of covering the escape entrance from inside the tunnel. For example, the poster could have been attached above the hole, then rolled up and tied with a shoelace knot. Andy would only need to pull on the shoelace to unfurl the poster, which would drop and cover the hole. He could have used magnets on the bottom of the poster that would secure it firmly to other wall fixings.

The Matrix
The traitor called Cypher meets agents inside the Matrix. To enter the Matrix he needs to plug himself into it via a physical link through the back of his head. He also needs an "Operator" (a colleague) to pull him back out of the Matrix. As he is playing Judas to the Hero's Jesus, and also working alone, who removes him from the Matrix?

A possible fix could involve Cypher programming an automatic recall in his computer. This should be the scene before he meets the agents. The story should also explain the need for an operator if an automatic alternative is available. For example, an automatic recall would not ensure a completed mission, whereas Cypher would only need a short and prearranged time period for his meeting.

Man of Steel
On the dying planet of Krypton, the criminal Zod and his accomplices are punished for trying to overthrow the government. Instead of dying along with all on Krypton, these criminals are imprisoned in the Phantom Zone. The Phantom Zone is a prison dimension. However, this prison can fly through space and its inhabitants never age or die. Hardly a punishment compared to the fate of the law abiding population on Krypton.

This is a plot device that enables Superman to meet some decent opposition in the future - a band of super villains. It is also a major plot hole because the Phantom Zone could have become a lifeboat for all Kryptonians.

One possible solution would be to imprison Zod and his cohorts before the fate of Krypton is discovered. In addition, there must be a problem that stops others entering this zone.

Character and Plot Holes
Characters in your story are also elements in the plot and can therefore cause plot holes. However, If a character's personality or behavior changes during a story, it is not necessarily a plot hole. In fact, the goal of many films and books is the development of a character.

It could also be the case that someone's personality is not changing but being revealed, as in the case of a murderer.

Importantly, there must be a reason for a change or a revelation in character. It must be part of the story, or it will contradict another element of the plot. A shy person in chapter one would not be painting the town red in chapter two unless that person was drunk or a schizophrenic. A plausible explanation must be given. If there is no reason for the character change, then an element is missing and we have a plot hole.


Black hole in bookCreate an Overview
To ensure that plot holes do not appear, one solution is to create an overview of your story. On a large sheet of paper write the title and theme of your story. Everything that comes after this must fit smoothly with that theme. Next, draw a box and inside it write a few words describing the beginning. Underneath this write down the individual stages of your story, each in its own box and separated by enough space to include sub plots.

Between these boxes is where you write the sub-plots. Draw lines linking these with the boxes. Examine them to see if they make sense. This might sound clinical, but you can still perform this exercise even after you have had a free-wheeling session of creative writing by using it as a check.

Big Plot Holes and Emergency Fixes

The Simpler Solution
At last, we have finished the first draft of our masterpiece. We now inspect it for plot holes. Sadly, we find that three quarters of our story was unnecessary because there was a simpler solution for the protagonist. However, all is not lost. We must look for a reason why this easier solution does not work and then build it into the plot at an earlier stage.

The Monologue problem
Are any of your characters talking too much in an attempt to inform the audience about missing information? You probably have major plot holes. Go back and weave those details into your story if they are vital.

The Unbelievable "Twist"
One of the biggest cheats for an audience is the "Twist" that bears no relation to the rest of the story. For example, when they finally discover that most of your story was only a dream, your audience should ask for their money back. Thankfully, a clever writer can introduce subtle elements throughout his story that support the twist. This makes the twist clever and satisfying. It also rewards the discerning fan.

Conclusion
The first paragraph of this article mentioned that many famous and successful films contain plot holes. That fact alone should help you not to become too disappointed if you find some minor ones in your story.

Some genres are notorious for plot holes. Science fiction in particular is hard to write without some plot holes, as we have seen in two earlier examples. Science fiction involves imaginary concepts, such as time travel. Who of us has been entirely satisfied with a time travel storyline that we have seen in a film or a book? There always seems to be some contradiction involved.

Any story that covers a long period of time, that involves many characters or contains a large number of scenes is prone to plot holes.

As writers, though, we want to draw our audience along with us. They need to accept that what we are saying to them is true. That is why removing plot holes can turn a good story into a great one.

Copyright © Gotter on NiceAnswers.com 2017

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