D.C. Sheehan asked D.C. Sheehan:

How do you deal with plot problems?

D.C. Sheehan Struggling with a doughy plot can feel daunting. I typically hit a few problem patches each novel, areas where the plot around them is working well, but that bridging plot is muddled or, sketchy at best.

When I am mired in plot-quicksand these can assist (depending on what the issue is):

Get clear. Write down the key plot points that MUST happen. Once you clear the clutter and weed out all the fancy ideas that are nice-to-haves the necessary plot points will expose themselves.

Re-write the story beats in the problem area. Actually write or type them out. Sometimes the physical act of putting them into print can assist. Do this as many times as you need to. I often redraft beats three, four, five times during the rewrite process. Look to other areas of the story. Like a puzzle you've actually fitted in the wrong slot, sometimes plot fixes are sitting in another part of the book.

And remember—no matter what the problem, you will come to know the answer. You might not know it right now. But you have solved seemingly unsolvable story problems before and you will solve this one.

This last piece of self-comfort has gotten me through some very dark rewriting times. The answer isn't necessarily within you the whole time, but give it time and the solution will eventually appear.

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