Is your plot too contrived or coincidental?

In the quest to write something that is marketable, it's all too easy to slip into bad habits. Using plots that are too contrived, meaning they aren't natural, will no doubt blow up in your face later down the road. You might think that if it worked for others, then it's sure to work for you, but that isn't necessarily the case. If one person breaks onto the scene with a plot that is farfetched and manages to sell it to a major publishing house, it doesn't mean that others can put their spin on it and achieve the same grandeur. In the world of publishing, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Editors are finnicky. Send them something that's too contrived and they may think you're insulting their intelligence. And you have to think about your readers, too. You have to give them more credit than that. Readers and editors these days are looking for real plots. It's fiction, but the situations could really happen. They want extensive research. They want your characters and plot to be believable.

The problem that a lot of writers run into is that they want their characters to go from Point A to Point B. Now the quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line, but what if that doesn't work with your story? All too often, writers will jerk the plot around in an effort to achieve what they want to achieve in the way they want to achieve without regard for what happens naturally.

The thing you have to remeber is that when something happens, there is always a reaction. Sometimes there is only one specific reaction, and sometimes there are several. Humans are notoriously predictable. If you write a scene in which the characters react in a way that is not natural for the sake of your plot, readers and editors are gonna know it. They're going to say, "He wouldn't do that." Or, "She would never say that." Or "That would never happen."

How many times have you found yourself thinking those exact words while reading a book or watching a movie?

You may justify it because you feel like it's the only way to get from A to B without destroying the carefully-laid plan for your characters.

Here's my challenge for you: next time you want to take the easy way out so you can get from A to B without breaking any of the plot bricks you've carefully laid DON'T! Go for what is natural and see what happens. This is a lot easier for pantsers than plotters like me. I know.

Think about this:

A plot that is too contrived requires a certain amount of coincidences to make it happen. Coincidences lead to weakness in the plot because both are blended with an abundance of willing suspension of disbelief.

This ain't bad in small doses. As with alcohol, it should be in moderation.

So you've gotten your plot laid out just the way you want it. There are a few coincidences in there and at times is seems a bit contrived, but you managed to get the characters from A to B. That's all that matters, right? WRONG!

True, you made the journey. You got them there, but the plot is now weakened and worse for the wear.

I urge you to take the road less traveled and forego the easy way. Take your time. Do the research. Make it real. Make your characters real. If you do, it will be no coincidence when I see your novel on bookstore shelves!