The plot is the main point a reader uses while reading your work. However, if you leave holes in that plot, you could lose their interest or confuse them. Can you fill plot holes and help me write my paper? No? Then read next!

Regardless of if you’re writing a novel that stands alone or a book in a large series, the plot should feel solid to your readers. At the end of the book, there should be no doubt in their mind, no unanswered questions. It’s okay to have a main arc or plot go from one book to another, but even in a series of books, most conflicts are resolved before moving into the next one.

If there are no resolutions, how can a reader cheer for your characters? If they spend half the book hoping your character won’t fail but are given nothing in return by the end of the book, why would they move onto the next book in the series?

With that in mind, there are steps you can take to close any plot holes your book may have.

Explain everything – This isn’t to say you should go into detail about every little plot point, but with works of fiction, you may need to explain things to your readers. If your book is set in a fantastical world, you should take the time to explain how the world and its society works. If you mention a weapon that only exists in that world (something you made up) you should explain how it works and what it looks like. While these missing points won’t kill your plot, they can confuse the reader, pushing them out of the story.
Tie up loose ends as soon as possible – If a character mentions something in the second chapter, it must be of great importance to them. However, the longer you take to explain or show that thing to your readers, the greater your risk of losing their attention. Readers have very good memories. If you’re reading a book and a character mentions so ancient magic in chapter two, but it isn’t explained until chapter eight, there’s a hole that should be filled. Don’t drop clues and make your readers wait for more than two chapters. The more you do this, the more frustrating it will become.
Keep track of your characters – when writing a work of fantasy where the world is large and the cast is just as big, keeping track of your characters can be a little overwhelming. It’s normal to send a few characters one way while another pack heads into the main city, but don’t forget about the first group. Where do they go? Do the two groups meet up later on? If you send a character off from the main group, but never mention them again, why are they in the book?
After a while, your readers will notice that character’s absence. While trying to read the rest of your novel, they’ll keep asking themselves what happened to that guy?’ They may even flip back through the book to see if they missed something. Don’t send your readers on a wild goose chase. If a character has no reason to be in the novel except in the beginning, kill them.

There are times you’ll find plot holes in your work that aren’t listed above. This will depend on your own writing style and how much information you share with your readers. If you aren’t sure about your plot, find a handful of beta readers to go over the book for you. If there are any points of confusion, they’ll let you know.