Authorsā Favorite Hobby: Creating Their Own Problems
As a beta reader, Iāve realised authors donāt actually have plot problems they over-complicate simple conflicts, add extra characters instead of deepening the ones they have, avoid letting characters have honest conversations, bend their own world-building rules, and promise to āfix it in editsā like edits are some magical place where consequences disappear.
With Love, Obviously
This is said with affection. The problem is never a lack of creativity ā itās usually too many ideas running ahead of structure.
Gentle Reminder
Sometimes you donāt need: ā¢ another subplot ā¢ a dramatic twist ā¢ a mysterious new side character
Sometimes you need: ā¢ clear motivation ā¢ consistent stakes ā¢ one honest conversation
Writers, whatās the most self-inflicted plot problem youāve created? Beta readers, I know you have stories.
