Ten tips for sorting a messy plot

Many a writer has been there, including myself. You start with a brilliant idea. The opening sings, the characters feel alive, the premise sparkles. You’re flying through the first few chapters with the wind in your sails (hopefully that's the only place the wind is coming from). And then, somewhere around chapter seven or maybe twenty-two, it all gets a bit, um, messy.

Threads start to fray. Characters wander off. You wonder where that damn music is coming from. That clever twist you were so proud of doesn’t quite land the way you thought it would. You suddenly remember a subplot you introduced back in chapter three and forgot to resolve. Or worse, your story seems to be going in circles, like a dog chasing its tail, and you’re not sure how to get it back on track.

I was having a ponder about how to dig yourself, myself, out of such a conundrum. So, below are ten 'steps' that I am currently trying. I'm not going to type here and say they are the only way to do it, or say they are all successful. Just like my work in progress, the steps are 'to be confirmed'.

Step one: don’t beat yourself up

First things first, accept that messy plots are normal. Writing a novel is like building a house without a full set of architectural plans. You might know where the kitchen and living room go, but halfway through you realise the stairs are in the wrong place. It happens.

Remind yourself: your draft doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to exist. You can’t fix what isn’t on the page, so congratulate yourself for getting this far.

Step two: zoom out and take stock

When things get messy, step back from the page. Pretend you’re a detective trying to solve the mystery of your own book.

• What do you already know?

• Who are the main characters, and what do they want?

• What is the central conflict?

• Where does the story begin, and where do you think it should end?

Write these down, even if you’ve done it before. Sometimes the act of summarising your story in a paragraph or two reveals exactly where things have gone off the rails.

If you’re a visual thinker, sketch a timeline on paper. Plot the big events in order. Are there gaps? Do you have two middle sections doing the same job? Has a subplot hijacked the story entirely? Think of this step as a health check. You’re not rewriting yet, you’re just diagnosing the problem.

Step three: identify the tangles

Not all messes are equal. Some are tiny knots you can brush out, or unpick, depending on your metaphor preference. Others are full-blown tangles. Here are the most common types:

1. The wandering subplot – you introduced a secondary story that never goes anywhere. It either needs resolving, trimming, or cutting completely. Eek!

2. The character takeover – a minor character becomes more interesting than the protagonist and suddenly wants to drive the plot. Sometimes this is a gift, sometimes it’s a distraction. Remember they aren't in control, you are. Feel free to bump them off (just don;t look them in the eye when you do it, it makes it easier).

3. The saggy middle – everything slows down, tension evaporates, and you’re not sure what anyone is doing anymore.

4. The forgotten promise – you foreshadowed something early on but never delivered on it. Readers will notice. I've currently got one of these.

5. The contradictory timeline – you’ve got characters in two places at once, or events happening in an impossible order. I've definitely got that happening.

Spotting which kind of mess you’re dealing with will make the fixing part much easier.

Step four: decide whether to patch or rebuild

Here’s the big question: do you fix as you go, or press on to the end and fix later?

There’s no single right answer, but here’s a guide:

• Patch now if the mess makes it impossible to continue. For example, if your protagonist’s motivation has collapsed or if you’ve written yourself into a plot hole you can’t escape from.

• Rebuild later if the mess is annoying but not fatal. In this case, make a note of the issue in a separate file or comment in your manuscript, and keep writing.

Think of it like driving: if you get a flat tyre, you have to stop and fix it before you can continue. But if your car is just a bit muddy, you can still reach your destination before worrying about a wash.

Step five: lean on your tools

This is where software really earns its keep. Whether you’re a Microsoft Word loyalist, a Scrivener devotee, or a Google Docs fan, use the tools available:

• Comments and highlights – mark the messy spots as you go. “Check timeline here,” “Character motivation weak,” “Resolve subplot later.” It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self.

• Navigation panes/outlines – collapse your chapters into a scene list and see if the structure still makes sense.

• Find/replace – invaluable if you’ve changed a character’s name halfway through.

• Separate documents – some writers like to spin off tricky scenes or alternate versions into their own files, so the main manuscript doesn’t become too cluttered. I have enough of a job keeping a handle on one doc never mind several, so this isn't for me but it might work for some.

Remember, the tools are there to serve your process. Use them to keep the chaos in check.

Step six: ask your characters what they want

This might sound daft, but it works. When plots get messy, it’s often because you’ve forced your characters to behave in ways that don’t feel natural. Sit them down (in your head or on paper) and ask:

• What do you want right now?

• What’s standing in your way?

• What’s the worst thing that could happen to you?

Characters drive plot. If you get clear on what your characters want, the story often untangles itself.

Step seven: cut without mercy

Sometimes the best way to clean up a messy plot is to get out the scissors, hatchet, or chainsaw (I guess it would depend on your genre!) If a scene doesn’t serve the story, cut it. If a subplot drags everything off course, cut it. If two characters serve the same role, merge them.

Yes, it’s painful. You might love that witty exchange or that quirky side character. But if they’re cluttering your plot, they need to go. The good news is you don’t have to delete them forever. Create a “cuttings” file and paste them in there. You never know when they’ll be useful later even if its for a completely different novel.

Step eight: re-outline if necessary

If your novel feels like a tangled ball of wool, it may be time to unravel the ball and re-outline. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean throwing everything away. It just means mapping what you already have and deciding what stays, what goes, and what needs adding.

Step nine: get a second opinion

Sometimes you’re just too close to see the mess clearly. That’s when a writing buddy, critique partner, or beta reader can be invaluable. Ask them:

• Where did the story lose momentum?

• Which characters felt unnecessary?

• Did anything confuse you?

• Were there unresolved questions at the end?

Even if you don’t act on all their feedback, just hearing how someone else experiences your story can reveal exactly where the tangles are.

Step ten: embrace the mess as part of the magic

Here’s the truth: messy plots aren’t a sign you’ve failed. They’re a sign you’re pushing boundaries, experimenting, and finding your story.

Think of it like sculpting. You don’t start with a perfect statue. You start with a big lump of clay. The mess comes first, then the shaping, smoothing, and polishing.

So, when your plot gets messy, don’t despair. Roll up your sleeves, grab your metaphorical sculpting tools, and start shaping, cutting, maybe even some gentle punching. Whatever works!

A few extra tricks for stubborn messes

• Write the ending now. Sometimes knowing where you’re headed helps straighten the middle. I've just done this and it's helped lighten the mess a little.

• Swap mediums. If you’re stuck at the keyboard, try sketching a mind map, writing by hand, or even talking through the plot aloud.

• Get your hands on the issue. Use index cards or sticky notes. Each scene on a card. Shuffle until it makes sense.

• Set it aside. A week away from the manuscript can give you fresh eyes. Or if you are like me and have several (probably far too many) work in progress' on the go, work on a different one for a while.

• Ask “what if?” When a plot is jammed, brainstorm wild alternatives. Even if you don’t use them, they can spark solutions.

  
  

Final thoughts

Sometimes the mess leads you somewhere far more interesting than your original plan.