More on Plot Problems

So what is a plot problem? When I introduced my exercise at Tuesday’s Write Night, I was asked to give an example. A plot problem is anything that isn’t working, doesn’t make sense, or bogs down the story. Plot problems are easy to revise around and delightful to put off, but eventually they have to be faced.

Here are examples from the group that don’t give away anyone’s story.

• Getting a character to do something he didn’t want to do
• Explaining an essential technicality of a magical world with humor
• Rescuing characters from a high-tension, hopeless situation
• Bringing two disparate characters together
• Adding excitement to a lack-luster sequence of events

 In case you haven’t guessed, the last one was mine. Yesterday I replaced a chapter of sludge with action and tension.