Episode 20: Deus ex Machina Explained: How to Fix Stories That Save Themselves

In this week’s Story Savvy series, we continue to talk about how to edit your book yourself, by discussing fixing story problems, where we learn what is Deus ex machina and learn a Deus ex Machina examples. Developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] is joined by author Silvia Pawn who is standing in for Agnes Wolfe [authorsalcove.com].

Deus ex Machina is when outside forces or unexplained powers save the day and strip the protagonist of agency. In episode 20 of 52-Week Story Savvy, they examine how this trope, while rooted in classical theatre, often fails in modern genre fiction.

Rebecca and Silvia dive into what makes Deus ex Machina feel unearned, how fantasy and sci-fi allow more room for bending reality, and why grounding your magic or tech in early seeding matters. Silvia also shares from her own work-in-progress, a story about omnipotence, internal conflict, and how collaboration—not one savior—creates resolution.

They also dive into strategies for:
-Avoiding common Chosen One pitfalls
-Seeding power systems or world mechanics early
-Creating surprising yet inevitable story payoffs
-Using side characters and subtle hints to build tension
-Balancing predictability and reader satisfaction
-Recognizing when agency theft happens in climaxes

Whether you’re revising a magic-heavy manuscript or adapting a D&D campaign into a novel, this episode helps you walk the line between powerful storytelling and narrative shortcuts.

Recommended Resources:
Hartbound Editing Services – https://hartboundediting.com
Silvia Pawn’s Godsend Series – https://www.facebook.com/GodsendSaga
Authors’ Alcove Membership Community – http://authorsalcove.com
Book Giveaway – http://authorsalcove.org

Chapters
[00:00] Intro
[01:20] Meet Jena Doyle
[02:30] Why does word count matter?
[05:00] How do scenes and chapters work together?
[07:06] How can you research word counts by genre?
[09:50] How long should a chapter be?
[11:14] How do you cut unnecessary words?s
[17:11] How can you increase your word count?
[20:07] What are the best ways to manage chapters?
[23:31] When should you combine short chapters?
[26:01] Why is mastering word count important?