Writing Ideas and Tips by Pyrotank

Deus Ex Machina

Quote from Merriam-Webster: "A person or thing (as in fiction or drama) that appears or is introduced suddenly and unexpectedly and provides a solution to an apparently insoluble difficulty."

Don't do this, especially in the ending. It robs the reader of the entertainment. A failure of the character is better than this. After all, when a character failed, a new story could be told.

Here are a few tips that can be used instead of the Deus Ex Machina:

1. Have the person or force be introduced a lot earlier. The reader knowing about this force within the beginning or middle of the story eases the plot device. Knowing about the multiple forces at work, builds into the background of which the character lives in.

This idea is inspired from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Gollum perform as such when he "accidentally" solves the problem.

2. The main character seeks help from someone else. Sometimes we need help to solve problems. Asking for help is a good idea because it show that the character understands his/her limitations. 

To further with this, here is my interesting idea: asking someone that the character have a bit of conflict with. Why am I suggesting this? Compromising for the sake of reaching an acceptable goal is an adult thing to do. Our characters can't solve everything. But getting characters with similar goals to work together can be a challenge itself. This is interesting to readers.

3. Just don't. Accepting failure is a process that everyone should understand. How a character perceive it is up to the characteristic personality. Who knows, maybe a second book leads to the character success.

But if Deus Ex Machina you are making is not this but instead: "meaning 'god from the machine" in a more literal way. Go for it. This is a character. Developing a personality of this type of character can be interesting. Will it be accepting of humanity? Or dooming it? How about its interests? Wants?