: Re: How can I avoid a predictable plot? When writing a novel, authors generally don't want the reader to know how things will end. This is especially true of mystery novels, but obviously applies

@Gretchen741

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Let's explore some possibilities in the situation you set up, without anything not being what it seems.

Obviously, the hero is going to get off the island with at least the romantic interest. But how? If the hero finds the sword that only he can pull from the stone and slays the dragon with it, that's dull.

How does the hero start getting along with the villagers?

Does the hero have to kill the sea monster? Is there a way to divert its attention or blind it or put it to sleep for long enough? If so, how does the hero find the solution?

Assuming the hero does kill the monster, how? This had better not be easy. There can be several attempts that fail, and different approaches that just will not work. The hero may have to learn something, or find some way to acquire an item. The hero may be setting the death up without realizing it.

Who's the romantic interest? Will there be more than one (sequentially)? At the climax, when the hero is resolving the situation with the monster, how does she avoid getting killed? Or is she killed and replaced? The hero may be generic, but the love interest doesn't have to be.

Once the monster is dealt with, do the villagers still want to stay? Is there something revealed by the defeat of the monster?

Even under strict and stereotyped conditions, there's interesting plots.

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