A loose plot can easily unravel, but tying up the threads strengthens the entire novel.
One of my favorite things about writing a novel is when I make a connection I hadn’t realized before, that fits so well it makes it seem as though I’d planned it all along. It’s my subconscious working in the background no doubt, but it dawned on me that I didn’t have to wait for my inner writer to clue me in—I could consciously look for those connections.
Once I started looking, I found multiple “hidden connections” per book that deepened the plot and made it more unpredictable. The obvious characters became red herrings for the more subtle ones lurking in the background doing “plot things” and making the story work.
Plus, it’s a ton of fun.
While you can do this during a first draft, I’ve found it’s more useful for the second pass. The book is done, the story is down, and you can more clearly see where the weak links and loose threads in the book are.
Start by looking for characters or details already in the story that aren’t doing a whole lot for it.
Which characters don’t have much to do?
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Don't leave characters hanging! |
Look for:
- Friends of friends—people the main characters know
- Recurring world characters—people the main characters interact with on a small level
- Sidekicks—people in the support system of the main characters
(Here’s more on painting a scene vs dramatizing it)
Which scenes offer information but no action or plot movement?
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A tight plot is a solid plot |
Look for:
- Scenes where a character needs to act—but only to show the attempt of that action
- Scenes where characters are discussing or catching each up—no action, but important information
- Scenes that are similar to other scenes—common places or actions the characters return to
(Here’s more on plotting with emotional layers)
Which settings don’t do more than provide a backdrop?
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Get your characters out of the kitchen! |
Look for:
- Settings readers have seen multiple times—add something thought-provoking or revealing
- Settings you don’t feel the need to even describe—if they’re that pointless, give them a point
- Settings that evoke emotion in the characters or readers—take advantage of an emotional location to really up the tension
(Here’s more on using incongruent settings to raise tensions)
A novel has so many threads running through it, there are always a few loose ends by the end. But those ends can tie the entire plot together and make the story tighter and smoother.
Do you look for unrealized connections in your story? How do you handle loose ends?
Find out more about plot and story structure in my book, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems.

With clear and easy-to-understand examples, Fixing Your Plot & Story Structure Problems offers five self-guided workshops that target the common issues that make readers stop reading. It will help you:
- Create unpredictable plots that keep readers guessing
- Find the right beginning and setup for your story
- Avoid the boggy, aimless middle
- Develop compelling hooks to build tension in every scene
- Craft strong goals, conflicts, and stakes to grab readers
- Determine the best pacing and narrative drive for your story
Available in paperback and ebook formats.

She also writes the Grace Harper urban fantasy series for adults under the name, J.T. Hardy.
When she's not writing novels, she's teaching other writers how to improve their craft. She's the founder of Fiction University and has written multiple books on writing.
Such great examples here! I love it when those seemingly serendipitous connections show themselves - I'll try to consciously look for some of the clues you suggest to find more of them.
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Makes us look good.
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