Have you ever felt like the story you’re writing just isn’t flowing naturally? Maybe you’re unsure about some dialogue or a part of the plot. Whatever it is, when you begin to wonder, “Is my story contrived?” you know you’re in trouble! The last thing any writer wants to do is put out a cheap, unrealistic story.

The good news is that you’re not alone! Even experienced authors still have trouble creating authentic and believable stories. When we look at our story through our own eyes, it’s difficult (read: impossible) to be objective. Sometimes, it just takes another pair of eyes to tell us the truth. And that truth could be that our story is contrived.

But if you train yourself to take a step back from your story, there are a lot of mistakes you can catch yourself. Here are just a few things to look for that may tell you that your story is contrived:

1. Stereotypical Characters

If your characters are flat and one-dimensional with no distinguishing characteristics, they can single-handedly make your story feel contrived, even if you have the best plot in the world.

Try setting some time aside to work on your characters. Develop their personalities and backstories. Give them hopes, dreams, and motivations. Make your characters stand out, craft them to be unique, and they’ll take your story to new heights.

2. Predictable Plot

Have you ever watched a TV show where you could call every single thing that was going to happen? Don’t make your book like that! If your readers can see everything coming from the start, why would they keep reading?

Try adding some twists and turns to your story. You don’t need to derail it or turn the entire thing into one massive plot twist; just feed your readers a little bit of information at a time and make things exciting.

3. Stilted Dialogue

My favourite! (Not.) Dialogue should sound like a real conversation. Even if we don’t use crazy sci-fi and fantasy terms in everyday speech, the rhythms and ways of speaking in your book should sound familiar and natural to readers.

Remember, people don’t talk perfectly. We use contractions, skip words, talk in fragments. It’s okay to break grammar rules if it’s in dialogue! (Sometimes.) Fixing this one simple thing makes a world of difference in your story.

4. Clichés Galore!

There’s nothing wrong with a good old trope or a cliché every now and then, but if your story relies on them—or if the plot is a cliché in itself—then there’s a problem. Not only does this often create a predictable plot, but it becomes just plain cheesy.

The whole point of writing a story is to create something unique, so don’t be afraid to put your own spin on things.

5. Rushed Plot

Yes—this can really make a story feel contrived! If you rush a story, skipping or skimming over events, the reader doesn’t have enough time to become familiar with the characters or plot, so things will not feel natural, if only because they haven’t had a chance to understand what is natural in your book.

And always remember this: beware of time jumps!! Whether it’s a scene/chapter cut or a starting phrase that reads “many months passed…,” you must use these with care. A time jump too early in the story or too long in general can totally derail the plot and make it feel contrived. Only use these time jumps when you really, really need them—and even then, see if you can avoid them. Maybe your story can start at another point in time!

The last thing anyone wants to hear is that their book feels contrived. Take an honest look at your story with these tips in mind and see how it holds up. It may be difficult, but give the book to someone you trust and let them give you an honest opinion. Even if it’s hard to hear the truth, it’s better than ending up with a contrived story that you can’t change!

And remember, if you need a fresh set of eyes on your book, I’m here to help—and I’m an expert in diagnosing book problems, too!

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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