There are some things in writing I’d rather not touch. I’m not particularly fond of description that makes my stomach turn. Graphic abuse, torture, drowning kittens: things like that. And there are some things I won’t touch simply because I KNOW I will inevitably screw them up. One of those things is time travel.
The trouble with time travel is it’s a plot-hole magnet. No matter how careful or brilliant you are, you will dig a great big plot hole in any time travel story. Either that or your characters will have to be “too stupid to live” in order to make it work.
Even if you’re the most talented, awesome, lovable author in the world (let’s say… J.K. Rowling), and you’ve only included one little time-travel device in your world, you’ll most likely have a plot hole on your hands. Of course, J.K. Rowling is the Grand Empress of World-Building and the Immortal Overlord of Awesome Characters. She can overcome the time travel curse. But I can’t. At least, I don’t think I can.
So I’m not going to play with time travel. It’s too dangerous. Here, I’ll show you… What? You thought I came here without evidence? Never! I have evidence. Time travel is dangerous. Observe (it should be noted that all these reviews/videos contain spoilers for their respective films):
Or just watch the movie Timecrimes and you’ll see what I mean.
Of course, mostly this post was just an excuse to share with you two awesome Harry Potter spoofs and my favorite reviewer of bad horror movies. Still…
I WILL NOT PLAY WITH TIME TRAVEL
I WILL NOT PLAY WITH TIME TRAVEL
I WILL NOT PLAY WITH TIME TRAVEL
I WILL NOT PLAY WITH TIME TRAVEL
Jodi Lamm 
4 responses to “Why I Won’t Touch Time Travel with a Ten Foot Elder Wand”
My memoir contains time travel, as you know.
You may be of the opinion that this only worked out for me because it was a true story.
Are you sure there are not plot holes in your memoir? I’m pretty sure there would be at least two or three in mine.
Just the hole in my pocket.
Apprreciate your blog post