You’ve spent countless hours building your story, crafting your characters, and carefully weaving your plot together, but there's one mistake that can ruin everything in Act Three: the deus ex machina. In our latest YouTube video, v
What Is Deus Ex Machina?
Deus ex machina, which translates to “God in the machine,” refers to a plot device where an unexpected power or event suddenly resolves a seemingly unsolvable situation. This usually happens through external forces rather than the actions of your characters, robbing them of agency and preventing a satisfying conclusion.
In the video, we explore how relying on deus ex machina can deflate your story’s tension and leave your audience feeling cheated.
Why Deus Ex Machina Ruins Your Story
When the resolution of your story doesn’t stem from the choices your characters make, it strips the story of meaning. A satisfying ending must be the result of your characters' decisions and actions. If external help swoops in to save the day, your characters no longer have control over their destiny, and their growth or change throughout the story becomes irrelevant.
How to Avoid Deus Ex Machina
The key to avoiding this pitfall is ensuring that your characters' actions drive the plot, especially in Act Three. The resolution of the story should be a direct result of the protagonist’s choices, struggles, and growth throughout the narrative.
If the characters don't resolve the problems they've faced, the audience will feel that the ending is unearned.
Don’t let a deus ex machina ruin your hard work. By making sure your characters earn their ending through their own decisions and actions, you can provide a more meaningful and fulfilling resolution for your audience.
Check out the full video below:
For more insights on how to craft a compelling story, check out our free course, Writing the Short, with NYU professor John Warren to dive deeper into the essentials of storytelling.
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