Common plot holes in speculative fiction (and how to avoid them)
An editor’s guide to creating cohesive, compelling stories.
Speculative fiction — encompassing genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror and magical realism — captivates readers with its boundless imagination and thought-provoking scenarios. However, even the most inventive concepts can crumble if they are undermined by plot holes. These inconsistencies or gaps in logic can jolt readers out of the story, leaving them frustrated and disconnected.
After exploring the intricacies of portal fantasy in our recent series, it’s time to zoom out and examine broader structural challenges in speculative fiction. Whether you’re crafting transitions between worlds or building a single complex universe, maintaining narrative consistency is crucial for keeping readers immersed in your story.
For speculative fiction writers, maintaining a cohesive structure is paramount. It’s the scaffolding that supports your worldbuilding, character development and ultimately, the believability of your narrative.
“The only difference between reality and fiction is that fiction needs to be credible.” ― Mark Twain
Let’s explore five common plot holes related to structure that can trip up even seasoned writers, along with solutions to help you craft a compelling and internally consistent story:
Weak Character Motivation
In speculative fiction, it’s easy to get caught up in the grandeur of your imagined world or the intricacies of your magic system. However, at its core, every story is driven by characters and their motivations.
Plot hole: The main character sets out on a perilous quest simply because an ancient prophecy dictates they should.
Solution: Go deeper into the personal implications of the prophecy. How does it affect your character’s life, relationships or world view? What internal conflicts does it create? Perhaps the character initially resists the prophecy, adding tension and depth to their journey.
Example: In N.K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season, Essun’s (the main character) motivation isn’t just about fulfilling a destiny, but about finding and protecting her daughter in a world ravaged by apocalyptic events. Her personal quest intertwines with larger, world-altering events.
Predictable Plot Points
While tropes can be powerful tools in speculative fiction, relying too heavily on them can make your story feel formulaic. The key is to understand these tropes so you can subvert reader expectations and keep them guessing.
Plot hole: The hero always escapes danger at the last second, with convenient plot devices repeatedly saving the day.
Solution: Raise the stakes and let your characters face real consequences. Create situations where escape seems genuinely impossible, forcing them to adapt and find innovative solutions that arise organically from their skills or the rules of your world.
Example: In Ted Chiang’s Story of Your Life (adapted into the film Arrival), the main character’s understanding of an alien language changes her perception of time itself. This unique plot device drives the story in unexpected directions, defying traditional narrative structures.
Deus Ex Machina Solutions
In speculative fiction, it’s tempting to use the fantastical elements of your world to resolve plot points. However, convenient solutions that haven’t been properly set up can feel cheap and unsatisfying.
Plot hole: The main character discovers a previously unmentioned magical artifact or scientific breakthrough that solves their problem at the eleventh hour.
Solution: Establish the existence and limitations of crucial plot elements early in the story. Let your characters earn their victories through strategic planning, character growth and clever use of established rules within your world.
Example: In Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness, Genly Ai (the protag) navigates a complex alien culture using his diplomatic skills and growing understanding of the planet’s inhabitants. His success comes from character development and cultural insight rather than convenient plot devices.
Inconsistent Worldbuilding
Speculative fiction thrives on creating unique worlds with their own rules and systems. Maintaining consistency in your worldbuilding is crucial for preserving the reader’s suspension of disbelief.
Plot hole: Characters suddenly exhibit abilities or face limitations that contradict previously established rules of the world.
Solution: Develop a clear, well-defined set of rules for your speculative elements. Create a “bible” or “grimoire” for your world that you can reference as you write. If you need to introduce new elements, carefully consider how they fit within the established framework and explain their existence logically within the story.
Example: Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series is renowned for its consistent and well-explained system of metal-based magic. The rules are clearly established, and new developments always work within the confines of this system, adding depth without contradicting earlier information.
Emotionally Disconnected MacGuffins
In speculative fiction, the quest for a powerful object or piece of information (a MacGuffin) often drives the plot. However, if this device lacks emotional resonance, the story can feel hollow.
Plot hole: The characters pursue a powerful artifact or crucial piece of information, but it has no real connection to their personal journeys or the themes of the story.
Solution: Imbue your MacGuffin with emotional or thematic significance. How does it relate to your characters’ internal struggles or the central themes of your story? Make the pursuit of the MacGuffin a journey of personal growth or moral questioning for your characters.
Example: In Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation, the mysterious Area X and the secrets within it serve as more than just a destination or goal. It becomes a mirror for the main character’s internal struggles, reflecting themes of identity, transformation and the unknowable nature of the universe.
Your Gateway to Stronger Writing
Plot holes can threaten even the most imaginative speculative fiction, but with careful attention to structure and consistency, you can create stories that transport readers while maintaining their trust. Remember: in speculative fiction, the impossible must feel inevitable, and the fantastic must feel real.
As we’ve explored in our portal fantasy series, the key to compelling speculative fiction lies in the details—not just in what we show readers, but in the solid foundation that supports every magical moment or scientific breakthrough. By addressing these common plot holes early in your writing process, you can build stories that stand up to even the most thorough reader scrutiny.
What plot challenges are you facing in your speculative fiction writing? Share your experiences in the comments, and let’s brainstorm solutions together.
Coming Next Week: The Art of Foreshadowing in Speculative Fiction, with lessons from Harry Potter.
Struggling with plot holes in your manuscript? Email me at info@thebookdruid.com with the subject line "Plot Review" to learn more about my editing packages.