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Plot holes have been a dilemma for most writers. It’s because readers are quick enough to scrutinize them. They also want to experience the novel’s world smoothly and semi-realistically. And so we will identify and fix these plot holes.

As a novel writer, you want your readers to invest heavily in the story. The problem is there may be parts you need to look into, causing the plot line to disarray. And once readers fail to make sense of things, they start to wonder what went wrong. The gaps that didn’t close together in the story are today’s “plot holes.”

It can hurt your pride as an author if the audience sheds light on those flaws. But if it doesn’t deter you, it can be a lesson to do better for your subsequent work. What are those plot holes? Will they hurt your story? Will they affect the flow at all?

That’s why it’s good to practice reading mystery thriller books like The ‘Anthology of Short Stories and Poems II’ by Brian Clements. It contains literary pieces of poetry and a love story in Brian’s book, making readers crave more. Brian Clements assures readers that every part of poetry and prose in those pages will become a smooth experience for everyone.

Clearing up the misunderstandings

Having flaws in your story may cause some confusion. Because it is such a widely used term for storyline gaps, the term “plot hole” has been loosely thrown around. To the point that some literary issues are categorized as so even when they’re not.

And as much as some readers understand the story has plot gaps, some come with harsh and unwarranted criticism. Even with the existence of an audience with open-mindedness, it’s still crucial for a writer to be mindful of the gaps. Before they are sent out for the world to read, you can only avoid them or overlook everything for a while.

Let’s talk about plot holes and how they can affect the storyline. We’ll also discuss why you should care about them as an aspiring author.

Why care about plot holes?

Contrary to what others tell you, it does matter. Looking out for plot holes in the middle of writing saves you so much trouble. It’s bad enough that they throw the readers off track when they read your novel. It makes them lose faith in the author in charge of fabricating the story.

And because it goes against the logical flow that’s supposedly established seamlessly. Examples of these story gaps are unlikely or impossible events. It could also be a statement the character makes opposite the preceding events.

While they are negative connotations in a story, plot holes are unintentionally created. Because in an author’s mind, too many things happen simultaneously. It takes work to organize those thoughts and plot them on paper. What makes it more challenging is the tying of all the sequences together. The writer should have tied new developments to their root cause. And sometimes, they didn’t remember.

What we need to do now is to break the common notion of plot holes being an end-all, be-all deal. The continuous misunderstanding of the term caused an ominous feeling wherever it went. There needs to be a closer look into whether the author intended it for certain characters to act illogically. For readers, the author’s intentions are what determines the plot holes.

Final Thoughts

Tying loose ends is good, but stories with open endings are best left as is. Some cliffhangers are more effective when placed strategically. And it needs the perfect buildup of prior events to make it work. Otherwise, it will leave readers wondering why it doesn’t make sense. However, there are times when the writer will choose a hanging end. They have a goal of keeping their audience on their toes. It also has a potential for a sequel, which will be up to the author to continue writing.

As long as the book is thoroughly polished and examined to its core, you still have the chance to make things right. As the story’s creator, you also have the freedom to ruffle some feathers for a bit deliberately. Plot holes can still exist once the book is out, but at least the amount is kept to a minimum.