#267. Ask Savannah: How Do I Fix a Plot Hole in My Story? (Plus Balancing Writing With Life & Hiding Plot Twists)

How do you fix a plot hole in your novel? What if your beta readers figure out your big plot twist too early? And how are you supposed to find time to write when life keeps getting in the way? In today's episode, I'm doing something a little different! Five listeners sent in questions about challenges they're facing with their novels, and I'm answering each one as if we were working together in a coaching session. Here's what we cover: [02:07] How to fix plot holes in your novel by getting clear on your story's foundation, identifying what's causing the gap in logic, and addressing the underlying problem. [05:41] How to know if you've written too much or too little in a scene or chapter, why I recommend writing in scenes instead of chapters, and how to decide which details your readers actually need. [11:12] What to do when beta readers guess your mystery novel's killer too early—and how to use red herrings, suspect motives, and reader attention to keep your plot twists surprising without hiding important clues. [13:38] How to balance an action-packed plot with your protagonist's internal character arc so you can explore their emotions, grief, and moral struggles without slowing down your story's pacing. [18:37] How to make time for writing when life gets busy, why knowing exactly what to work on matters, and how to break the novel-writing process into manageable steps so you can make progress in smaller pockets of time. Whether you're outlining, drafting, or revising your novel, there's something in this episode for you! 🔗 Links mentioned in this episode: FREE TRAINING: Why You Keep Getting Stuck & How to Finally Finish Your Novel Ep. #235 - Scene Structure Made Easy: The 5 Essential Elements Every Scene Needs Send Savannah Your Question ⭐ Follow & Review If you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Ask Savannah a question Support the show If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and follow the show! Your support helps this podcast reach more writers who need these actionable tips and insights. 〰️ More Resources:  Live Training: Learn why you keep getting stuck and how to finally finish your novel. Revision Accelerator: Identify your draft's biggest problems and make a plan to fix them. Podcast Playlist: Get 10 episodes to help you reach your next big writing goal. 〰️ Follow for more writing tips: Instagram | savannahgilbo.com