What is 'Deus Ex Machina'?
Lesson from C.S.M.
If you write your characters into a corner, don’t get them out by cheating.
Conflict should be resolved logically and organically— not randomly by external forces.
In other words, avoid Deus Ex Machina in your stories.
Deus Ex Machina - Latin for “god from the machine.” Refers to conflict in a story being resolved by the sudden appearance of a character, event, or force that comes out of nowhere to save the day.
Origin:
In classical Greek theater, playwrights sometimes faced the challenge of resolving complex plotlines and conflicts within the confines of a single performance.
To wrap up the story, they would have a crane-like device descend onto the stage, with actors on it playings gods, resolving the story's conflict in a swift and often implausible manner.
Hence, “god from the machine.”
Some Examples:
Unforeseen intervention by a powerful figure.
An "it was all a dream" ending.
Sudden appearance of a new, unexplained power or ability.
Reversing time.
Why You Should Avoid Deus Ex Machina:
It undermines narrative tension and emotional investment by providing easy resolution to conflict.
It can feel contrived and unrealistic, breaking the suspension of disbelief and disconnecting readers or viewers from the story.
It diminishes the agency and development of characters by depriving them of the opportunity to overcome challenges through their own actions and growth.
It erodes the coherence and internal logic of the story world, creating inconsistencies and leaving unanswered questions that leave audiences feeling unsatisfied.
How To Avoid Deus Ex Machina:
Foreshadowing: Plant seeds early in the story that hint at potential resolutions or outcomes, laying the groundwork for later developments.
Consistency: Ensure that the resolutions to conflicts and problems arise organically from the established rules and logic of the story world, avoiding sudden or arbitrary interventions.
Empower characters: Allow characters to drive the plot forward through their actions, decisions, and growth, rather than relying on external forces to save them from adversity.
Embrace consequences: Let characters face the consequences of their choices and actions, even if it leads to unexpected or undesirable outcomes, as this adds depth and authenticity to the story.
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