How Plot Holes Can Ruin Your Story and How to Avoid Them
Hey, fiction writers! Let's talk about something that makes readers groan, critics pounce, and editors sigh heavily into their coffee: plot holes. Yep, those sneaky little logic gaps that can turn a brilliant story into a hot mess faster than you can say continuity error.
Even the best writers slip up sometimes, but when plot holes go unchecked, they can absolutely wreck a good narrative. Don't worry—we'll unpack plot holes, explain why they matter, and show you how to spot (and fix!) them before your readers do.
💣 What's a Plot Hole, Anyway?
A plot hole is basically a gap or inconsistency in the storyline that breaks the internal logic of your world. It's the part where readers go, "Wait... what?" or "That doesn't make any sense."
There are different flavours of plot holes, but they all do one thing: pull readers out of the story. And once that magic's broken, it's hard to regain it.
🧨 How Plot Holes Can Wreck Your Story
1. They Break the Reader's Trust
Readers are happy to believe in magic, talking animals, or space pirates—as long as your story plays by its own rules. But the second a character defies logic or the world contradicts itself? Game over.
Example:
Your story says your vampire characters can't go out in daylight. Cool. But then, in chapter 12, your protagonist vamps out for a midday picnic... without explanation. Boom. Plot hole. Your readers are now thinking about sunscreen logistics instead of your actual plot.
2. They Undermine Character Credibility
If a character suddenly knows things they shouldn't, forgets important details, or makes decisions that go against everything you've told us about them—plot hole alert.
Example:
If your genius hacker forgets how to use a basic laptop because it's "convenient for the scene," readers will smell lazy writing a mile away.
3. They Break Tension and Ruin Payoffs
Imagine building up an epic mystery, only to solve it with a clue that wasn't mentioned until five pages from the end. That's not a twist—that's cheating.
Personal Anecdote:
I once beta-read a story in which a character who'd been dead for 300 years just... came back. There was no explanation, no buildup, just "surprise, I faked it!" It killed the emotional weight of the previous chapters. I stopped caring. Don't be that plot.
🚫 Common Plot Hole OffendersInconsistent timelines (e.g., travel time magically shortens when it's convenient)Characters forgetting past events (especially traumatic or plot-critical ones)Unexplained abilities or informationTechnology or magic that suddenly stops working for no reasonBig problems are solved too easily or with no logical lead-up
🛠️ How to Avoid Plot Holes in Your Fiction
✅ 1. Keep a Story Bible
A "story bible" is just a fancy term for keeping track of your world's rules, timelines, character histories, etc. It doesn't need to be pretty—just accurate. It'll save you from the classic "Wait, didn't she have green eyes last chapter?" moment.
✅ 2. Ask Yourself: Would This Really Happen?
Put yourself in your character's shoes. Dig deeper if their actions don't match their personality, skills, or emotional state.
Example:
Would your anxious, conflict-avoidant librarian really punch someone in the middle of a heated scene? Maybe. But you'd better build up to it properly if so!
✅ 3. Foreshadow Your Twists
Twists are great—surprises are fun—but if you want them to land, you must lay the groundwork. Readers should be able to look back and say, "Ahh, I see it now." Not, "Where the heck did that come from?"
✅ 4. Get Beta Readers (Bless Them)
Fresh eyes catch the stuff you've become blind to after draft 47. Ask your betas specifically: "Did anything not make sense?" or "Were there any moments where you were confused or pulled out of the story?"
Trust me, they'll tell you. And you'll be glad they did—before a reviewer does.
✅ 5. Revise Ruthlessly
Sometimes, you'll find a scene that only works because of a plot hole you hoped no one would notice. Don't let it slide. Fix it, rewrite it, or cut it. Your story will be stronger for it.
Pro Tip:
If you say, "Well, maybe the reader won't notice…"—they will.
✨ Wrapping It Up
Plot holes might seem small, but they can create big problems. Readers want to believe in your story, but they also want it to make sense. You can spot those sneaky inconsistencies with care and attention before they sabotage your narrative.
Quick Recap:
✅ Stay consistent with your world's rules
✅ Make sure characters act in believable ways
✅ Don't skip the setup for big reveals
✅ Keep track of your plot's logic
✅ Get second (and third!) opinions
Great storytelling isn't about being perfect—it's about being believable. Even in a world full of dragons, spaceships, or cursed mirrors, your readers want to feel like it all fits together. No holes required.
Do you have a favourite plot hole that made you laugh, cry, or throw a book across the room? Or one you caught and fixed in your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear your story!
Even the best writers slip up sometimes, but when plot holes go unchecked, they can absolutely wreck a good narrative. Don't worry—we'll unpack plot holes, explain why they matter, and show you how to spot (and fix!) them before your readers do.
💣 What's a Plot Hole, Anyway?
A plot hole is basically a gap or inconsistency in the storyline that breaks the internal logic of your world. It's the part where readers go, "Wait... what?" or "That doesn't make any sense."
There are different flavours of plot holes, but they all do one thing: pull readers out of the story. And once that magic's broken, it's hard to regain it.
🧨 How Plot Holes Can Wreck Your Story
1. They Break the Reader's Trust
Readers are happy to believe in magic, talking animals, or space pirates—as long as your story plays by its own rules. But the second a character defies logic or the world contradicts itself? Game over.
Example:
Your story says your vampire characters can't go out in daylight. Cool. But then, in chapter 12, your protagonist vamps out for a midday picnic... without explanation. Boom. Plot hole. Your readers are now thinking about sunscreen logistics instead of your actual plot.
2. They Undermine Character Credibility
If a character suddenly knows things they shouldn't, forgets important details, or makes decisions that go against everything you've told us about them—plot hole alert.
Example:
If your genius hacker forgets how to use a basic laptop because it's "convenient for the scene," readers will smell lazy writing a mile away.
3. They Break Tension and Ruin Payoffs
Imagine building up an epic mystery, only to solve it with a clue that wasn't mentioned until five pages from the end. That's not a twist—that's cheating.
Personal Anecdote:
I once beta-read a story in which a character who'd been dead for 300 years just... came back. There was no explanation, no buildup, just "surprise, I faked it!" It killed the emotional weight of the previous chapters. I stopped caring. Don't be that plot.
🚫 Common Plot Hole OffendersInconsistent timelines (e.g., travel time magically shortens when it's convenient)Characters forgetting past events (especially traumatic or plot-critical ones)Unexplained abilities or informationTechnology or magic that suddenly stops working for no reasonBig problems are solved too easily or with no logical lead-up
🛠️ How to Avoid Plot Holes in Your Fiction
✅ 1. Keep a Story Bible
A "story bible" is just a fancy term for keeping track of your world's rules, timelines, character histories, etc. It doesn't need to be pretty—just accurate. It'll save you from the classic "Wait, didn't she have green eyes last chapter?" moment.
✅ 2. Ask Yourself: Would This Really Happen?
Put yourself in your character's shoes. Dig deeper if their actions don't match their personality, skills, or emotional state.
Example:
Would your anxious, conflict-avoidant librarian really punch someone in the middle of a heated scene? Maybe. But you'd better build up to it properly if so!
✅ 3. Foreshadow Your Twists
Twists are great—surprises are fun—but if you want them to land, you must lay the groundwork. Readers should be able to look back and say, "Ahh, I see it now." Not, "Where the heck did that come from?"
✅ 4. Get Beta Readers (Bless Them)
Fresh eyes catch the stuff you've become blind to after draft 47. Ask your betas specifically: "Did anything not make sense?" or "Were there any moments where you were confused or pulled out of the story?"
Trust me, they'll tell you. And you'll be glad they did—before a reviewer does.
✅ 5. Revise Ruthlessly
Sometimes, you'll find a scene that only works because of a plot hole you hoped no one would notice. Don't let it slide. Fix it, rewrite it, or cut it. Your story will be stronger for it.
Pro Tip:
If you say, "Well, maybe the reader won't notice…"—they will.
✨ Wrapping It Up
Plot holes might seem small, but they can create big problems. Readers want to believe in your story, but they also want it to make sense. You can spot those sneaky inconsistencies with care and attention before they sabotage your narrative.
Quick Recap:
✅ Stay consistent with your world's rules
✅ Make sure characters act in believable ways
✅ Don't skip the setup for big reveals
✅ Keep track of your plot's logic
✅ Get second (and third!) opinions
Great storytelling isn't about being perfect—it's about being believable. Even in a world full of dragons, spaceships, or cursed mirrors, your readers want to feel like it all fits together. No holes required.
Do you have a favourite plot hole that made you laugh, cry, or throw a book across the room? Or one you caught and fixed in your own writing? Drop it in the comments—I'd love to hear your story!
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