Plot holes

Quick Link: How to Fix Any Plot Hole Like a Pro

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Quick links, bringing you great articles on writing from all over the web.

I hate plot holes. My day job requires me to be very logical and I try not to drive everyone around me nuts with it. But no matter how much I love a story, a plot hole will keep wispering in my mind not allowing me to fully enjoy the story. What is even worse is when I write one, especially a big one!  Kaitlin Hillerich at Inks and Quills helps us to patch those plot holes up like they never even existed!

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How to Fix Any Plot Hole Like a Pro

A pot hole is like a plot hole – it disrupts the flow of the story

Kaitlin Hillerich

Once, I spent a good three hours trying to fix a plot hole involving a parrot while writing my novella, These Savage Bones.

I wish I was kidding.

There’s nothing that can make a writer want to tear their hair out quite like a plot hole. They can be hard to spot and even harder to patch up. And in the case of a particular species of parrot, which turned out to be extinct during the time period my story was set, they can make you question your sanity.

Argh, headaches for days!

Are there pesky plot holes hiding in your story right now? Let’s take a look at the different forms plot holes can take, how they can be accidentally introduced into a story, and how to rid your novel of them for good.

What is a Plot Hole?

Read the full post on Inks and Quills

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If you liked this article, please share. If you have suggestions for further articles, articles you would like to submit, or just general comments, please contact me at paula@publetariat.com or leave a message below.

 

Quick Link: How to Fill the Gaps in Your Plot

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Quick links, bringing you great articles on writing from all over the web.

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How to Fill the Gaps in Your Plot

by James Scott Bell

Got the following email the other day:

Dear Mr. Bell,

I recently finished reading your books Super Structure and Write Your Novel From the Middle. They’re awesome, and have taught me a lot about how to better structure a novel. I’ve now sketched out my current novel with the Super Structure beats and feel like I have a solid framework. But the problem I’m running into is filling the spaces between these beats with enough scenes to create a full novel. I’m using Scrivener’s index card feature to write out my scenes, but my poor corkboard looks awfully sparse. 🙂

Do you have any tips or suggestions on how to come up with enough plot to make a whole book? (This is actually a recurring problem for me. I struggle with plotting terribly.)

It’s a great question. Today’s post is my answer.

In Super Structure I describe what I call “signpost scenes.” These are the major structural beats that guarantee a strong foundation for any novel you write.

The idea is that you “drive” from one signpost to another. When you get to a signpost, you can see the next one ahead. How you get to it is up to you. You can plan how, or you can be spontaneous about it.

Or some combination in between!

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If you liked this article, please share. If you have suggestions for further articles, articles you would like to submit, or just general comments, please contact me at paula@publetariat.com or leave a message below.