#178: How To Uncomplicate Your Plot

2024-02-20

If I had to pick one thing that makes readers stop reading, it's the overcomplicated plot. Both novice and experienced writers fall into this trap. They include too many characters, too many events, storylines, and extraneous details that don’t feel connected or integrated. This makes it confusing and frustrating for you as you write and revise. And a slog for your readers to get through. When you overcomplicate your plot, your story lacks internal consistency or logic. It lacks the unified effect that pulls the story ...

If I had to pick one thing that makes readers stop reading, it's the overcomplicated plot.

Both novice and experienced writers fall into this trap. They include too many characters, too many events, storylines, and extraneous details that don’t feel connected or integrated.

This makes it confusing and frustrating for you as you write and revise. And a slog for your readers to get through.

When you overcomplicate your plot, your story lacks internal consistency or logic. It lacks the unified effect that pulls the story together, and keeps readers engaged all the way through.

In this episode, I'm sharing some simple ways to uncomplicate your plot. So you can move through revision faster, and with more focus. And ultimately, create a deeper, more engaging story for your readers.

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