What are some common plot mistakes?

There are many pitfalls that even seasoned writers can stumble into when crafting a plot. Here are some of the most common plot mistakes to be aware of:

Predictability:

• Clichés: Overused plot devices and resolutions can make your story feel stale and unoriginal.
• Obvious twists: Don’t telegraph your punches! If the reader easily predicts the big reveal, the impact will be lost.
• Straightforward conflicts: Make things complex! Throw in unexpected challenges and obstacles to keep the story dynamic.

Character & Action:

• Passive protagonists: A story needs a driving force, and that’s often the protagonist actively pursuing a goal. Don’t let them simply react to events.
• Unrealistic choices: Characters should make decisions that resonate with their motivations and personalities, even if they’re flawed or questionable.
• Convenient solutions: Avoid deus ex machina moments where problems are solved out of thin air. Let obstacles be overcome through the characters’ efforts or ingenuity.

Structure & Logic:

• Plot holes: Ensure your story is internally consistent, with no contradictions or unexplained gaps in logic.
• Pacing issues: Avoid dragging scenes or meandering subplots that don’t contribute to the main narrative.
• Unclear stakes: Make sure the reader understands what’s at risk for the characters and why the story matters.

Additional tips:

• Avoid info dumps: Let information unfold organically through scenes and dialogue, rather than lengthy exposition.
• Don’t forget the emotional arc: While plot focuses on events, remember to develop your characters emotionally as well.
• Get feedback: Beta readers and critique partners can help you identify flaws and areas for improvement.

Remember, these are just general pointers. Different genres and storytelling styles have their own conventions and expectations. The key is to be aware of common pitfalls and strive to create a plot that is engaging, surprising, and emotionally satisfying for your readers.

Conquering the Plot Labyrinth: Unmasking Common Storytelling Traps.

Ah, the thrill of crafting a story, weaving worlds, and breathing life into characters. But let’s be honest, fellow creatives, the narrative highway is littered with potholes! I’ve spent the past 20 years navigating the film industry’s twists and turns, and trust me, I’ve hit my fair share of plot bumps.

But hey, that’s how we learn, right? So, I’m pulling back the curtain on some of the most common plot pitfalls I’ve encountered, and sharing my hard-won tips to steer your story clear. Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into the anatomy of a captivating plot!

I. Core Cracks in the Narrative Foundation:

1. The Premise Mirage: Mistaking Glimmer for Gold.

Remember that time you had a lightning bolt idea? Yeah, me too. We’ve all been there, seduced by the shimmer of a potentially “killer” premise. But here’s the rub: a catchy concept isn’t the same as a solid plot. Think of it like building a house. You can have a breathtaking blueprint, but without a sturdy foundation, your story will crumble.

The Symptoms:

• Generic McCharacters: Your protagonist feels like a recycled template, lacking unique motivations or goals.
• Waffle Worldbuilding: The setting is more backdrop than a living, breathing environment.
• Plotless Puttering: Days of writing, yet the story treads water, lacking clear conflict or direction.

The Cure:

• Dig Deeper: Don’t stop at the initial “what if.” Flesh out your premise with concrete stakes, internal struggles, and well-defined antagonists.
• Character Crucible: Craft protagonists with flaws, desires, and vulnerabilities. Throw them into the fire, and watch them rise (or fall).
• World as Character: Make your setting an active participant, not just scenery. Let it influence your characters and plot organically.

2. The Passive Protagonist Plague: When Heroes Play Possum.

We all love a good underdog, but passivity breeds boredom. Remember that blockbuster where the hero just kinda… reacted to events? Yeah, let’s not do that. Your protagonist needs to be the engine driving the narrative, not a leaf tossed by the wind.

The Symptoms:

• Deus Ex Machina Dependence: Every conflict is conveniently resolved by external forces, not the protagonist’s actions.
• Sidekick Syndrome: The hero constantly relies on others to take charge, lacking agency and initiative.
• Predictable Plodding: The story unfolds like a paint-by-numbers textbook, offering no surprises or genuine stakes.

The Cure:

• Choice Catalyst: Inject your protagonist with clear desires and fears. Force them to make tough decisions, face consequences, and learn from their mistakes.
• Internal Inferno: Create conflict within your character, not just around them. Let their flaws and anxieties fuel the narrative tension.
• Active Alliances: Sidekicks can be powerful allies, not crutches. Give them their own arcs, motivations, and moments to shine.

3. The Plot Hole Pitfall: When Logic Takes a Vacation.

Ah, the dreaded plot hole. It’s like stepping on a narrative landmine, shattering reader immersion and trust. Consistency is key, fellow storytellers! Your world needs to have its own set of rules, and characters can’t just teleport through them whenever convenient.

The Symptoms:

• Contradictions galore: Character abilities fluctuate, timelines get muddled, and established rules are blatantly broken.
• Unexplained Enigma: Magical powers with zero exposition? Convenient deus ex machina with no foreshadowing? Red flags everywhere!
• Logic Lapses: Actions have bizarre consequences, character reactions defy common sense, and the audience cries “foul!”

The Cure:

• Internal Compass: Establish your world’s rules and limitations early on. Stick to them like glue, and treat logic as your sacred oath.
• Foresight is Foreboding: Plant the seeds of twists and reveals early, subtly foreshadowing major plot points to avoid jarring surprises.
• Consistency Crusader: Every scene, every character action, needs to fit within the established framework. No loopholes, no illogical leaps.

This is just the tip of the plot-perfecting iceberg, folks! Stay tuned for Part II, where we’ll tackle advanced pitfalls like the “Cliché Cauldron” and the “Subplot Swamp.” Together, let’s build stories so strong, that they’ll stand the test of time (and ruthless film industry critics)!

Traversing the Terrain of Advanced Storytelling: Beyond the Basic Blunders.

Greetings, narrative navigators! We’ve conquered the foundational plot pitfalls, but the journey doesn’t end there. In this section, we’ll delve into the more nuanced traps that can ensnare even seasoned storytellers. Prepare yourselves for a trek through the treacherous terrain of advanced storytelling, where the stakes are higher and the twists are tighter.

1. The Show, Don’t Tell Chasm: When Exposition Eats the Excitement.

Ah, the age-old battle cry of every writing workshop: “Show, don’t tell!” It’s easy to slip into the exposition abyss, drowning our readers in info dumps and internal monologues instead of letting the story unfold through action and dialogue. Let’s remember, folks, your characters and setting should do the heavy lifting, not lengthy narration.

The Symptoms:

• Infodump Avalanche: Pages clogged with backstory, character motivations explained in painstaking detail, leaving no room for discovery.
• Interior Monologue Monotony: We get it, your protagonist is stressed, but endless internal musings can drag the pace and sap reader engagement.
• Action Anemia: Descriptions of events replace the adrenaline rush of experiencing them firsthand through vivid scenes and character interactions.

The Cure:

• Scene Sculpting: Craft scenes that paint a picture with action, dialogue, and sensory details. Let the reader infer motivations and emotions from how your characters behave and interact.
• Subtlety is Strength: Weave character traits and backstory into dialogue, interactions, and environmental details. Trust your reader to piece together the bigger picture.
• Action Speaks Louder: Show, don’t just tell about your character’s bravery, resourcefulness, or emotional turmoil. Put them in the crucible, and let their actions speak for themselves.

2. The Static Character Standstill: When Growth Takes a Backseat.

Imagine a story where the characters remain unchanged, unchallenged, by the narrative events. Sounds pretty dull, right? Character arcs are the beating heart of a compelling plot. They force us to empathize, learn, and grow alongside our protagonists. So, let’s ditch the static stand stills and embrace the transformative power of change.

The Symptoms:

• Predictable Personalities: Your characters react to every situation in the same way, offering no surprises or complexity.
• Conflict Clichés: Obstacles are easily overcome, lessons learned effortlessly, leaving no room for genuine internal struggle.
• Moral Monoliths: Characters are either paragons of virtue or villainous caricatures, lacking the ambiguity and depth that fuels human connection.

The Cure:

• Flaw Fissures: Give your characters vulnerabilities, fears, and imperfections. These cracks are where growth and transformation blossom.
• Choice Crucible: Force your characters to make tough decisions, face morally ambiguous situations, and grapple with the consequences of their actions.
• Evolution Echo: Let the plot events shape your characters. Their beliefs, motivations, and relationships should evolve organically as the story unfolds.

3. The Perspective Labyrinth: When Point of View Plays Hide-and-Seek.

Choosing the right point of view (POV) is like picking the perfect lens through which your readers experience the story. But misuse it, and you’ll leave them disoriented and frustrated. Head-hopping, inconsistent narration, and unclear perspective shifts can shatter immersion faster than a dropped phone on cobblestones.

The Symptoms:

• Head-Hopping Horror: POV jumps erratically between characters, leaving readers struggling to understand whose thoughts and emotions they’re experiencing.
• Narrative Nanny: The narrator intrudes with unnecessary commentary, spoon-feeding the reader information instead of trusting them to draw their own conclusions.
• Distanced Detachment: The chosen POV fails to create an emotional connection with the characters, leaving the reader feeling like an uninvolved observer.

The Cure:

• PoV Precision: Choose a consistent POV that best serves the story and stick to it. The first person can offer deep intimacy, while the third person allows for a broader scope.
• Show, Don’t Tell (Again!): Let the chosen POV reveal character insights and emotions organically through thoughts, actions, and interactions, not direct exposition.
• Active Agency: Grant your POV character agency and purpose within the story. Their perspective should be actively shaping the narrative, not passively observing it.

Unveiling the Hidden Caverns of Subplots and Sidekicks: Beyond the Protagonist’s Spotlight.

Alright, folks, we’ve tackled the core cracks and navigated the advanced terrain, and now we’re diving into the often-neglected caverns of subplots and supporting characters. Remember, a compelling story isn’t a solo act; it’s a vibrant ensemble where every element plays a crucial role. Let’s unlock the potential of these underutilized narrative tools and weave a richer, more captivating tapestry.

1. The Subplot Swamp: When Tangents Drown the Mainstream.

Subplots can add depth, texture, and intrigue to your story, but a poorly constructed one can quickly become a narrative quicksand, dragging the reader down a frustrating side trail. Don’t let your subplots steal the spotlight from the main arc; instead, treat them as tributaries that feed into the river of your central narrative.

The Symptoms:

• Meandering Misdirection: Subplots feel disconnected from the main story, offering no thematic or emotional resonance.
• Character Cacophony: Too many side characters with underdeveloped arcs, diluting the reader’s attention and investment.
• Dead-End Ditches: Subplots abruptly disappear, leaving loose threads and unfulfilled resolutions.

The Cure:

• Thematic Threads: Weave the subplots into the fabric of the main theme, offering different perspectives or exploring complementary facets of the central conflict.
• Character Catalysts: Use subplots to develop important supporting characters, showcasing their impact on the protagonist’s journey or the world at large.
• Closure Counts: Don’t leave subplots hanging. Tie them up organically, offering satisfying resolutions that contribute to the overall story arc.

2. The Sidekick Syndrome: When Heroes Hog the Headlines.

A strong sidekick can be the protagonist’s secret weapon, a sounding board, a foil, and a source of unexpected charm. But remember, sidekicks are not just glorified baggage handlers. Give them their own arcs, motivations, and moments to shine.

The Symptoms:

• The Yes-Man Echo: The sidekick simply agrees with the protagonist, lacking independent opinions or agency.
• Damsel-in-Distress Drudgery: The sidekick exists solely to be rescued or provide exposition, never driving the narrative forward.
• The Forgotten Friend: The sidekick fades into the background after fulfilling their initial purpose, their potential left untapped.

The Cure:

• Internal Compass: Give your sidekick their own desires, fears, and vulnerabilities. Let them face dilemmas and make choices that impact the storyline.
• Skill Set Synergy: Utilize the sidekick’s unique strengths and abilities to complement the protagonist’s, creating a dynamic partnership.
• Shared Spotlight: Offer your sidekick their own scenes, perspectives, and moments of growth, showcasing their value beyond the “hero’s best friend” label.

Remember, a well-crafted subplot can enrich your story, and a fully developed sidekick can add layers of complexity and emotional resonance. Treat them as valuable threads in the narrative tapestry, not disposable embellishments, and watch your story sing with depth and diversity.

Unleashing the Narrative Kraken: Weaving Theme and Resonant Endings.

Ah, fellow storytellers, we’ve navigated the treacherous plot reefs and charted the treacherous narrative currents, and now we reach the final frontier: theme and resonant endings. These are the elements that elevate your story from mere entertainment to a powerful emotional tidal wave, leaving readers pondering long after the final page. So, unleash the Kraken of theme and prepare to craft unforgettable finales that truly resonate!

1. The Elusive Theme Enigma: When Meaning Takes a Backseat.

There isn’t just a fancy word for “moral of the story.” It’s the soul of your narrative, the underlying question or truth that gives your plot emotional weight and universal relevance. A story without a strong theme can feel hollow, echoing in the reader’s mind with a dull clink.

The Symptoms:

• Clichéd Conundrums: Predictable themes like “good vs. evil” or “follow your dreams” are trotted out without nuance or exploration.
• Plot-Driven Disconnect: The theme feels tacked on, awkwardly grafted onto the story instead of organically woven into its core.
• Emotional Echo Chamber: The story fails to evoke deeper emotions like empathy, sorrow, or joy, leaving the reader feeling unmoved.

The Cure:

• Digging Deeper: Explore the complexities of your chosen theme. Avoid generalizations and delve into the nuances of human experience.
• Theme Through Action: Let your characters’ actions, choices, and struggles embody the theme, not just the narrator’s exposition.
• Emotional Alchemy: Use sensory details, poignant dialogue, and powerful imagery to evoke emotions that resonate with your theme.

2. The Anticlimactic Abyss: When Endings Evaporate.

The ending is the crescendo of your narrative symphony, the final brushstroke that leaves a lasting impression. A rushed, predictable, or unsatisfying conclusion can crumble the foundation of your meticulously crafted story. So, take your time, folks, and craft endings that linger in the reader’s memory like a bittersweet melody.

The Symptoms:

• Deus Ex Machina Downpour: Convenient plot devices magically resolve conflicts, negating the protagonist’s struggles and earned victories.
• Recycled Resolutions: Predictable tropes like happily-ever-afters or last-minute sacrifices offer no surprise or emotional depth.
• Loose Ends Galore: Unresolved subplots, unanswered questions, and dangling character arcs leave the reader feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.

The Cure:

• Earned Resolutions: Let the ending flow organically from the plot and character development. Avoid shortcuts or unearned victories.
• Bittersweet Beauty: Explore the full spectrum of emotions, including loss, sorrow, and the bittersweet beauty of change and sacrifice.
• Lingering Echoes: Leave the reader with something to ponder, a question to mull over, or a spark of hope that ignites their imagination.

Remember, a strong theme is the compass that guides your narrative, and a resonant ending is the anchor that secures it in the reader’s memory. Weave them into your stories with intention, and watch your plots bloom into powerful, unforgettable experiences.

Dennis Gayirah

I am a highly experienced film and media person who has a great deal to offer to like-minded individuals. Currently working on several exciting projects, I am a film and media practitioner for over a decade. I have achieved a great deal of success in my professional career.