Why Plot Authenticity Matters: How to Make Your Fiction Feel Real and Engaging
Hello, fellow storytellers! Let's talk about something that can make or break your novel: plot authenticity.
Ever been totally engrossed in a book, only to come across a moment so unrealistic that it yanks you right out of the story? Maybe the detective magically solves a case with zero clues, or a character survives a fall off a cliff with a slightly sore ankle. When a plot feels fake or forced, readers stop believing in it—and when that happens, they stop caring.
So, how do you keep your plot authentic while still making it exciting? Let's dive in!
Why Plot Authenticity Is Important
1. It Keeps Readers Invested
Readers want to feel like the world you've built could be real—even if it's full of magic, space travel, or dystopian societies. If things start feeling too convenient or unrealistic, their suspension of disbelief collapses like a poorly built sandcastle.
Example:
Imagine a thriller where the protagonist cracks a centuries-old code in five minutes without prior knowledge. Readers will roll their eyes and say, "Yeah, right." But if the character has been studying cryptography for years, suddenly, it's believable.
2. It Makes Characters More Relatable
Authentic plots lead to characters who react in sensible ways. Readers connect with flawed, realistic characters—not ones who always make perfect decisions or defy logic.
Example:
Suppose your protagonist is in a burning building and stops to deliver a dramatic monologue about life's meaning… well. In that case, unless they're literally about to die, it's probably not believable. A real person would run or panic—not deliver an Oscar-worthy speech.
3. It Prevents Convenient Plot Twists (a.k.a. Plot Armor Syndrome)
Ever read a book where a character miraculously survives everything because they're the main character? That's plot armour, and it can be frustrating. Readers don't want your hero to win just because—they want them to earn it.
Example:
Readers will call foul if your hero survives an explosion but doesn't have a scratch. But it's believable tension if they're injured, suffer setbacks, and barely crawl out alive.
How to Keep Your Plot Authentic
1. Know Your Genre's Limits
Different genres have different "rules" for believability. What works in a fantasy novel won't fly in a crime thriller.
✔ Fantasy: Your hero can wield magic, but it should have rules and limitations (e.g., they get drained after using too much).
✔ Mystery: Your detective needs actual clues and logical deductions, not just a random "aha!" moment.
✔ Sci-Fi: Your spaceship should follow some basic scientific principles (even if it bends the rules).
Tip: Research real-world equivalents to make your plot more believable, even in speculative fiction.
2. Avoid Lazy Plot Devices (a.k.a. Deus Ex Machina Moments)
If you're unfamiliar, Deus Ex Machina is when an out-of-nowhere event or character solves all problems instantly (think: the hero is about to die, but suddenly, a magic sword appears!).
Readers hate this because it feels like a cheat code.
✔ Instead of this: Your protagonist is trapped with no way out, but suddenly… a stranger rescues them!
✔ Try this: Plant a subtle clue earlier in the story that hints at an escape option, so when it happens, it feels earned.
3. Let Characters Face Real Consequences
People make mistakes. And in fiction, mistakes should matter. If your character makes a reckless choice but always gets away with it, that's not real life.
Example:In a romance novel, if a character cheats on their partner but faces no emotional fallout? That's unrealistic.In an action novel, if the hero constantly gets into fights but never actually gets hurt? That's unrealistic. Tip: Every action should have a logical reaction—that makes a story feel real.
4. Do Your Research (Yes, Even for Fiction!)
It needs to feel grounded even if you're writing about an imaginary world. If you're writing a legal drama, learn how trials work. If your story involves medical emergencies, at least Google how CPR works (because TV always gets it wrong!).
Personal Anecdote:
I once wrote a scene in which a character hacked into a government database using a regular laptop in under five minutes. A tech-savvy friend read it and laughed for a solid five minutes. I rewrote that scene really fast.
5. Pay Attention to Emotional Realism
Authenticity isn't just about events—it's also about how characters react to them.
✔ If a character experiences trauma, they shouldn't just "get over it" in a day.
✔ If two people fall in love, it should take time—insta-love without reason feels fake.
✔ If someone loses a loved one, grief should linger, not just vanish after one chapter.
Example:
Think about books that made you cry. It's probably because the emotions felt real—not forced or rushed.
Wrapping It Up
Authenticity isn't about making fiction boring—it's about making it believable. Readers want stories that transport them to new worlds while still making sense. A solid, authentic plot keeps readers hooked because they trust your world's rules.
Final Takeaways:
✔ Make sure events and character choices feel earned
✔ Avoid lazy plot devices (no magical solutions out of nowhere)
✔ Let characters face real consequences
✔ Do your research, even for fiction
✔ Keep emotional reactions realistic
By keeping your plot authentic, you're giving readers a reason to believe in your world—making a great story unforgettable.
Do you have a favourite example of a book with great plot authenticity? Or maybe a funny "oops" moment from your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear it!
Ever been totally engrossed in a book, only to come across a moment so unrealistic that it yanks you right out of the story? Maybe the detective magically solves a case with zero clues, or a character survives a fall off a cliff with a slightly sore ankle. When a plot feels fake or forced, readers stop believing in it—and when that happens, they stop caring.
So, how do you keep your plot authentic while still making it exciting? Let's dive in!
Why Plot Authenticity Is Important
1. It Keeps Readers Invested
Readers want to feel like the world you've built could be real—even if it's full of magic, space travel, or dystopian societies. If things start feeling too convenient or unrealistic, their suspension of disbelief collapses like a poorly built sandcastle.
Example:
Imagine a thriller where the protagonist cracks a centuries-old code in five minutes without prior knowledge. Readers will roll their eyes and say, "Yeah, right." But if the character has been studying cryptography for years, suddenly, it's believable.
2. It Makes Characters More Relatable
Authentic plots lead to characters who react in sensible ways. Readers connect with flawed, realistic characters—not ones who always make perfect decisions or defy logic.
Example:
Suppose your protagonist is in a burning building and stops to deliver a dramatic monologue about life's meaning… well. In that case, unless they're literally about to die, it's probably not believable. A real person would run or panic—not deliver an Oscar-worthy speech.
3. It Prevents Convenient Plot Twists (a.k.a. Plot Armor Syndrome)
Ever read a book where a character miraculously survives everything because they're the main character? That's plot armour, and it can be frustrating. Readers don't want your hero to win just because—they want them to earn it.
Example:
Readers will call foul if your hero survives an explosion but doesn't have a scratch. But it's believable tension if they're injured, suffer setbacks, and barely crawl out alive.
How to Keep Your Plot Authentic
1. Know Your Genre's Limits
Different genres have different "rules" for believability. What works in a fantasy novel won't fly in a crime thriller.
✔ Fantasy: Your hero can wield magic, but it should have rules and limitations (e.g., they get drained after using too much).
✔ Mystery: Your detective needs actual clues and logical deductions, not just a random "aha!" moment.
✔ Sci-Fi: Your spaceship should follow some basic scientific principles (even if it bends the rules).
Tip: Research real-world equivalents to make your plot more believable, even in speculative fiction.
2. Avoid Lazy Plot Devices (a.k.a. Deus Ex Machina Moments)
If you're unfamiliar, Deus Ex Machina is when an out-of-nowhere event or character solves all problems instantly (think: the hero is about to die, but suddenly, a magic sword appears!).
Readers hate this because it feels like a cheat code.
✔ Instead of this: Your protagonist is trapped with no way out, but suddenly… a stranger rescues them!
✔ Try this: Plant a subtle clue earlier in the story that hints at an escape option, so when it happens, it feels earned.
3. Let Characters Face Real Consequences
People make mistakes. And in fiction, mistakes should matter. If your character makes a reckless choice but always gets away with it, that's not real life.
Example:In a romance novel, if a character cheats on their partner but faces no emotional fallout? That's unrealistic.In an action novel, if the hero constantly gets into fights but never actually gets hurt? That's unrealistic. Tip: Every action should have a logical reaction—that makes a story feel real.
4. Do Your Research (Yes, Even for Fiction!)
It needs to feel grounded even if you're writing about an imaginary world. If you're writing a legal drama, learn how trials work. If your story involves medical emergencies, at least Google how CPR works (because TV always gets it wrong!).
Personal Anecdote:
I once wrote a scene in which a character hacked into a government database using a regular laptop in under five minutes. A tech-savvy friend read it and laughed for a solid five minutes. I rewrote that scene really fast.
5. Pay Attention to Emotional Realism
Authenticity isn't just about events—it's also about how characters react to them.
✔ If a character experiences trauma, they shouldn't just "get over it" in a day.
✔ If two people fall in love, it should take time—insta-love without reason feels fake.
✔ If someone loses a loved one, grief should linger, not just vanish after one chapter.
Example:
Think about books that made you cry. It's probably because the emotions felt real—not forced or rushed.
Wrapping It Up
Authenticity isn't about making fiction boring—it's about making it believable. Readers want stories that transport them to new worlds while still making sense. A solid, authentic plot keeps readers hooked because they trust your world's rules.
Final Takeaways:
✔ Make sure events and character choices feel earned
✔ Avoid lazy plot devices (no magical solutions out of nowhere)
✔ Let characters face real consequences
✔ Do your research, even for fiction
✔ Keep emotional reactions realistic
By keeping your plot authentic, you're giving readers a reason to believe in your world—making a great story unforgettable.
Do you have a favourite example of a book with great plot authenticity? Or maybe a funny "oops" moment from your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear it!
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As for authenticity, it is one thing I notice in historical fiction set during WWII. Being as I have studied it since high school, I usually know right away if the author did any research. For example, in 'The Light Over London' by Julia Kelly, one woman is sad that she can't see the Spitfire pilot. For the reasons he gave, I knew right away he was just saying that because he had another girlfriend.
As for me, I did a lot of research in archeology in Egypt during towards the end of the nineteenth century for my book 'Blood Sisters: Reflections.'