Find and fix plot holes in your novel
AI analyzes your plot summary and timeline to identify logic gaps, inconsistencies, and unresolved questions.
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Find and fix plot holes in your novel
River's Plot Hole Identifier analyzes your novel's plot summary to find logical inconsistencies, timeline problems, and unresolved questions. You provide a detailed plot summary including major events, character motivations, and timeline. The AI checks for logic gaps, character behavior inconsistencies, unresolved plot threads, timeline conflicts, and cause-effect problems. Within minutes, you get a comprehensive report flagging issues with specific suggestions for fixes. Perfect for novelists in revision who need to ensure their plot holds together under scrutiny.
Unlike beta readers who might miss technical plot issues or focus on style instead of logic, we systematically analyze story structure. The AI checks whether motivations justify actions, whether timeline events are possible, whether revelations make sense given earlier information, whether conflicts resolve logically, and whether cause-effect chains work. You see exactly where your plot breaks down and why readers might get confused or find events unbelievable.
This tool is perfect for novelists in revision phase, especially those writing mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, or fantasy where plot logic is crucial. Use it after completing your draft before sending to beta readers. Use it when beta readers say your plot doesn't make sense but can't pinpoint why. Great for complex plots with multiple timelines, large casts, or intricate cause-effect chains. The AI catches problems before agents or editors see them.
What Makes Plot Logic Strong
Strong plots follow cause and effect relentlessly. Every event happens because of previous events and character choices. Weak plots rely on coincidence, arbitrary timing, or characters acting inconsistently to make the story work. Plot holes emerge when you need something to happen for your story but can't justify why it happens. The detective finds the crucial clue exactly when needed. The villain conveniently reveals their plan. The character forgets skills they demonstrated earlier. These breaks in logic destroy reader trust.
The most common plot holes involve character motivation and information flow. Characters suddenly act contrary to established personalities because you need them in a specific place. Characters forget or ignore information they should remember. Characters don't ask obvious questions that would resolve everything immediately. Information appears or disappears to serve plot convenience. Strong plots ensure characters behave consistently based on what they know and want. Every action must feel inevitable given that character's history, personality, and available information.
Timeline consistency matters especially in mysteries, thrillers, and stories with multiple POVs. A character can't be in two places simultaneously. Events need time to occur. Travel takes time. Information spreads at believable rates. Revelations must be possible given when clues were available. Many plot holes stem from compression, where you skip time without considering whether events could actually happen in the time available. Map your timeline explicitly. Track who knows what when. Ensure cause and effect have appropriate spacing.
What You Get
Complete analysis of your plot's logical consistency
Identification of timeline conflicts and impossible events
Character motivation and behavior inconsistencies flagged
Unresolved plot threads and hanging questions noted
Specific fix suggestions for each identified problem
How It Works
- 1Submit plot summaryPaste detailed plot summary with major events, motivations, and timeline
- 2AI analyzes logicOur AI checks consistency, causality, timeline, motivations in 5-8 minutes
- 3Review plot holesGet detailed report of logic gaps, inconsistencies, and unresolved threads
- 4Fix identified issuesUse suggestions to revise plot and strengthen story logic before publishing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this catch every possible plot hole?
It catches logical, timeline, and motivation inconsistencies based on the information you provide. If your summary leaves out key details or is vague about motivations, some holes might be missed. The AI works with what you tell it. For best results, include character goals, key revelations, timeline details, and how conflicts resolve. The more comprehensive your summary, the more thorough the analysis. Think of this as a first-pass logic check, not a replacement for careful revision.
What if the identified 'plot hole' is intentional?
Some apparent inconsistencies serve your story. Unreliable narrators intentionally present false information. Mystery plots withhold information deliberately. Characters might lie or misunderstand. If the AI flags something you're handling intentionally, ignore that feedback. However, make sure your intentional ambiguity is clear enough that readers understand it's deliberate. The AI helps ensure readers will interpret inconsistencies as purposeful rather than as mistakes. Use your judgment on what to fix and what to keep.
Does this work for all genres or just mystery/thriller?
All genres benefit from plot logic, though some require more rigorous consistency. Science fiction and fantasy need internal rules to stay consistent. Literary fiction needs character motivations to make psychological sense. Romance needs relationship development to progress believably. Even experimental or literary work benefits from intentional logic. The AI adapts to genre conventions. Mention your genre in the summary. The analysis considers what readers of that genre expect and tolerate.
Can I check my plot before I write the full manuscript?
Yes! That's actually ideal. Creating a detailed outline or treatment and checking it for holes before drafting saves massive revision time later. If you catch problems in the planning stage, you can restructure easily. Fixing holes in a completed 90,000-word manuscript is much harder. Use this tool on your detailed outline or chapter summaries. Ensure your structure works before investing months in full prose. Prevention is easier than correction.
How detailed should my plot summary be?
Include all major plot points, character goals and motivations, key revelations, and how conflicts resolve. Mention timeline if relevant (Day 1, Week 2, etc.). Be specific about cause and effect (A happens because of B, which leads to C). Include character knowledge (who knows what when). Don't summarize in vague generalities. 'The detective solves the case' tells us nothing. 'The detective realizes the victim's partner lied about their alibi because the security footage shows them at home' gives specific logic to check. Aim for 1,000-2,000 words covering your main plot thoroughly.
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