Look around the pop culture moonscape, and you’ll notice that former titans of entertainment like Lost and A Game of Thrones have become bywords and lolcows – grim warnings to writers about the price of failing to deliver.
Everybody says that these shows disappointed viewers because their storylines devolved into aimless spirals forced along by mystery box plots and random character deaths.
And for once, everybody’s right.
The writing spiral isn’t a pitfall unique to TV, either. Like a television series, a novel is greater than the sum of its parts. Yet many new authors find it challenging to create long-form stories that hold readers’ interest.
What many of them miss is that a novel is more than a series of scenes strung together. That’s why disjointed, episodic plotting is a common problem I see in the manuscripts that cross my desk.
But there is a fix! Let’s explore some proven tips to help new authors steer clear of this trap and weave seamless stories.
Develop a Strong Outline
Before you rush into writing, take the time to create a comprehensive outline for your novel. An outline acts as your roadmap, guiding you through the story’s progression. It helps you identify the key plot points, character arcs, and thematic elements that will tie the narrative together. By having a clear plan in place, you can avoid wandering off into tangential subplots.
One caveat: Discovery writers often object that knowing how the story goes beforehand kills their motivation. If you’re a discovery writer, go ahead and pants the first draft. Then, go back and draw up an outline before starting draft 2 for a polished final product.
Truth be told, plenty of architect style authors fall into the writing spiral. Why? Because even though they outline, their blueprints omit the most vital step to crafting a coherent plot …
Know Your Characters
Your characters provide the impetus for your story. In fact, they are the whole reason the story exists in the first place.
To avoid episodic storytelling, ensure that your characters’ actions and decisions are consistent with their personalities and motivations. Develop well-rounded characters with clear goals, desires, and obstacles. The more concrete the goal, the better. This prep work will help maintain a sense of continuity throughout the novel.
Which may mean you should …
Weave Subplots into the Main Storyline
Subplots can add depth and complexity to your narrative, but they should complement, not overshadow, the main storyline. Make sure that your subplots connect to the central plot in meaningful ways. They should contribute to character development and thematic exploration, ultimately enhancing the overall narrative.
An invaluable tool I use to help intersperse different plot threads for maximum impact is Seven Point Plot Structure. Give it a try. It’s great to help you …
Establish Cause and Effect
Every action in your novel should have consequences. The cause-and-effect chain is what keeps your story moving forward. Avoid introducing events or characters that don’t contribute to the plot’s advancement. Each scene should be purposeful and push the story toward its climax and resolution.
It might sound counterintuitive in a post on how to avoid writing in spirals, but think of each chapter in your book as a short story. Each should have a definite beginning, middle, and end that leads into the next step of the plot. A solid rule for guiding this process comes from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone: If the only way to describe the transition between any two beats in your story is “and then,” rewrite until it’s “but” or “therefore”.
Yet not even the tightest pacing eliminates the need to …
Maintain a Clear Theme
A strong theme can help tie your novel together. Whether it’s redemption, love, or personal growth, make sure your book’s theme appears consistently throughout the story.
A compelling theme provides a unifying thread that connects the various elements of your narrative. Don’t write without one!
Together, the above approaches also help you to …
Maintain Consistent Tone and Style
Inconsistent tone and style can disrupt the flow of your novel. Pay attention to the voice and mood of your writing. While some variation is natural, abrupt shifts can confuse readers. Ensure that your writing style remains cohesive throughout the book.
Pro editor tip: A bad writing habit that not only throws a wrench in pacing but immediately outs the author as a noob is abrupt shifts in tense or narrative viewpoint. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to pick past or present tense and first person or third person voice, and stick to them throughout your book.
Of course, to ensure consistency, you’ll need to …
Revise and Edit
Don’t underestimate the importance of revising and editing. After completing your initial draft, go back and review your work critically. Look for any inconsistencies, plot holes, or scenes that don’t contribute to the overarching narrative. Eliminate anything that feels episodic or disjointed.
And I’m here to tell you that, despite your best efforts, at least some mistakes will escape your notice. Don’t worry. That’s normal. It’s also why hiring an experienced editor is a newpub nonnegotiable. If you want the best version of your book, get in touch with me.
But since your editor’s desk is your book’s second-to-last stop before publication, it’s important to first …
Seek Feedback
Sharing your work with others can provide valuable insights. Join a writing group or enlist beta readers (Note: friends and family don’t count!). They can point out areas where your novel may be losing cohesion and suggest improvements.
Now, just as pantsers object to my outlining advice, pretty much all new authors point out how difficult it is to build a reliable beta reading group. And I get it. But just as with outlining, I’ve got the solution to your lack of beta readers: borrow mine.
To sum up, writing a novel is a challenge. Avoiding the plot spiral trap requires careful planning, attention to detail, and the diligence to maintain a coherent narrative. By following these tips, new authors can create engaging, well-structured stories that captivate their readers from page 1 to the end.
Remember, writing is a skill that improves with practice. So don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Keep writing, revising, and learning, and you’ll steadily refine your storytelling abilities.
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