{"id":10622,"date":"2026-02-13T17:09:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T17:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/?p=10622"},"modified":"2026-02-13T17:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T17:09:26","slug":"how-do-you-fix-plot-holes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-fix-plot-holes\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you fix plot holes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Hello, I was writing my book and I realised that I had two plot holes that need fixing. I am not good at fixing plot holes so I tried to find something in the reading room about it but there was nothing there yet. Can you help?”<\/em><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Plot holes are a natural part of the writing process, but it doesn\u2019t make them any less frustrating. Thankfully, plot holes are almost always fixable, and all serve to make your next draft better than the one before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spotting them is the first step in fixing them, and the good news is that if you\u2019ve already developed enough of a critical eye to know when something doesn\u2019t work, you\u2019re on the right path. It means you\u2019re already able to step away from what you\u2019ve written and view it with a reader\u2019s eye, and be open to the process of improving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a plot hole?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fundamentally, a plot hole is any gap in your story\u2019s logic. This could be anything from a slight inconsistency, a contradiction, or a missing piece of vital information that will break the reader\u2019s ability to suspend their disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The range of plot holes is vast. They could be a minor continuity error, or could be a major logical flaw that can undermine your entire narrative. And while both need to be fixed, the amount of work required to do so will vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plot holes will happen naturally during the writing process as your narrative and your characters grow and evolve. Backstories<\/a> change, characters develop different relationships that might necessitate editing earlier versions of them, and all of that is just a part of the journey. There is also always going to be a gap between what\u2019s in your head and what makes it onto the page. Just because you imagined your character having a key to unlock that secret door doesn\u2019t mean you actually remembered to write it down (I\u2019ve done this myself more times than I can count).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more complex your plot, the more susceptible it will be to plot holes. Multiple plot threads and moving parts means more opportunities that something will slip through the cracks and have to be patched in revision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of plot holes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all plot holes are created equal, and knowing what type you’re dealing with will help you choose the right fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuity errors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Continuity errors are inconsistencies in the details. These could include things like a character\u2019s eye colour, the way you\u2019ve described a setting<\/a>, or an inconsistent timeline. They\u2019re usually the easiest to fix because they don\u2019t require structural changes. You can just change a few words to patch the error and call it a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaps in logic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Logic gaps happen when characters do things that don’t make sense given what they know, or events happen without a logical reason for them. If readers are asking why a character did something, or how they knew where to find something, then you have gaps in your story\u2019s internal logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaps in logic are harder to fix than regular inconsistencies, as they often require structural changes. These can be anything from adding new scenes, or playing with character motivations and backstories. For example, if a detective has found their killer\u2019s location without the investigative setup to get them there, then you\u2019ll need to make sure those moments are naturally written into the rest of your narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missing information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes a plot point relies on information the reader never had. Your character might suddenly use a skill they were never shown to have, or they know something they couldn’t possibly know. There is always the possibility that those skills and revelations happened off the page, but the critical thing is that a reader still needs to believe it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a character has a skill that is vital to the plot, they either need to learn it on the page, or have a backstory reason why they already know it. And the same goes for key revelations. If a character suddenly knows something about the magical relic they\u2019ve been hunting, the reader needs to have been along for that ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contradictions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Contradictions are direct conflicts between two established facts in your story. Your character can’t be an only child in chapter one and have a sister in chapter ten, unless you explain how (thank you Buffy the Vampire Slayer, iykyk).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contradictions can be easy or hard to fix. There\u2019s pretty much no in-between. Most of the time you can just choose a source of truth and make the relevant changes for consistency. But sometimes, those contradictions can introduce knock-on effects that can create other plot holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do you fix them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Work backwards from the problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start at the plot hole and trace backward. What would need to be true for this not to be a problem? Are the changes needed worth the outcome, or is there a simpler way to reach the desired result?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the fix will be as simple as adding a line of dialogue or a brief scene earlier in the story. But sometimes it will require something more extensive. Retracing your steps lets you see exactly where the moment of divergence occurred and where you need to put in the most work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the ripple method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve found your plot hole, before making any changes, map out how your fix might affect other parts of your story. Every change creates ripples. If you decide your character actually did <\/em>have access to information they shouldn’t have in your first draft of the story, you need to consider how that changes their earlier decisions, dialogue, and relationships with other characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, a mind map is going to be your best friend. A list of every scene that your fix might affect gives you something to review, at which point you can also branch out to see changes that might affect additional scenes. You need to be able to visualise your plot and how it connects in order to ensure consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embrace the reframe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the best fix isn’t to fill the hole, but to reframe it. Can the inconsistency become intentional? Perhaps that contradiction in your character’s backstory is actually a lie they’ve been telling themselves. Maybe the reason they knew something they shouldn\u2019t is a mystery worth exploring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn’t mean you should turn every plot hole into a twist<\/a> (that would become absolutely exhausting for readers), but occasionally, a problem can become a feature, not a bug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Revise, don’t just remove<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your natural inclination is going to be just to cut out the offending plot hole. This can work sometimes, but it\u2019s important to reframe this thinking by focusing on the idea of revision, rather than removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may decide to remove the structure holding a plot hole together if it serves the story best, but it shouldn\u2019t just be your first port of call. You should always think about what\u2019s best for your story, not what\u2019s going to be the quickest fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a fresh perspective<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re too close to the problem, ask a beta reader<\/a> or writing partner to look at your manuscript. Sometimes an outside perspective can see solutions that are invisible to you because you’re too deep in your story. Or at least they\u2019ll ask the right questions that will need to be answered to keep your plot in a consistent state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take actionable notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This may seem obvious, but it\u2019s so easy to forget to do. When you identify a plot hole and make a note to fix it later, you absolutely must<\/em> be specific in those notes. Don\u2019t rely on an \u201cI\u2019ll remember later\u201d mentality. Because while you might, why risk it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A note that says \u201cThere\u2019s a plot hole in chapter seven\u201d isn\u2019t helpful. Whereas \u201cMy character knows the password to the vault, but I never explained how she learned it\u201d gives you something to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple solutions to every problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t a single way you can approach a plot hole, so you don\u2019t need to commit to the first fix you think of. Don\u2019t be afraid to brainstorm multiple solutions, no matter how outlandish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be pros and cons to each solution. One might require the fewest changes. Another might provide the most character development. Another might result in a different, but ultimately more satisfying resolution. Ultimately, you need to choose the best fit for your story, not just the first or easiest solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimising plot holes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While some plot holes are inevitable, especially in early drafts, you can reduce their frequency with a few techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Keep a story bible; a document that tracks character details, timeline events, and established facts. If you update this as you write and revise, when you’re unsure about a detail, you can check the bible to make sure it\u2019s consistent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Outline your cause-and-effect chains. For every major plot point, keep a note of what causes it and what results from it. If you have this early in your writing progress, you\u2019re less likely to end up with logical inconsistencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • As you write, ask “how does my character know this?” every time they act on information. If you can’t answer, you’ve found a potential hole before it becomes a problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Not every writer will find these techniques helpful. I can\u2019t keep a story bible to save my life (way too much organisation), but I do tend to have really rough cause-and-effect outlines that I work from. I have other friends who swear by their story bibles but hate any kind of plotting. Just try different techniques to find what works for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Can you help?” Plot holes are a natural part of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":10623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[108,107,24],"tags":[58,148,28],"class_list":["post-10622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ask-novlr","category-editing","category-writing-tips","tag-plotting","tag-revision","tag-writing-tips","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nHow do you fix plot holes? | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn practical strategies for identifying and fixing plot holes in your manuscript, from continuity errors to logic gaps.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-do-you-fix-plot-holes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How do you fix plot holes? 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