Authors’ Favorite Hobby: Creating Their Own Problems
As a beta reader, I’ve realised authors don’t 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 “fix it in edits” 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 — it’s usually too many ideas running ahead of structure.
Gentle Reminder
Sometimes you don’t need: • another subplot • a dramatic twist • a mysterious new side character
Sometimes you need: • clear motivation • consistent stakes • one honest conversation
Writers, what’s the most self-inflicted plot problem you’ve created? Beta readers, I know you have stories.