Occam’s razor is the idea that if there is a simple, intuitive explanation for something, it is preferable to and more likely than a more convoluted explanation.

In terms of plot, as I’m sure any mystery writer could tell you, this means you might want to keep these basic points in mind:

• Characters should jump to the Occam’s Razor explanation of events. It honestly IS human nature to do this, and believable characters should generally take this approach to come across as sensible and reasonably intelligent.
• You’ll want to lead readers down the path of Occam’s Razor as well.
• The real explanation (TWIST!) can be something different and more complex, but ideally, shouldn’t wholly be attributable to chance. Given that the naturally simple explanation tends to be correct in real life, if you violate that principle for the sake of chance, and chance alone, your reveal won’t come across as realistic. You’ll be pushing suspension of disbelief.
• If the real explanation involves ingenuity or craftiness on the part of a character or two, that makes more sense than mere, complete coincidence. Human agency is real and can take advantage of the assumptions we tend to make due to Occam’s Razor.

In terms of style, narration, and the actual story structure, Occam’s Razor should guide us to arrange and present events in a structurally simple way that isn’t unnecessarily complex or difficult to follow.

Of course, for some stories or genres, going non-chronological to create questions and confusion is part of the point.

Assuming that isn’t the case with you:

• Structure things simply.
• Structure things, for the most part, in chronological order. If you have a flashback scene or two, make sure it makes sense placed where it is. (I always enjoy getting creative and asking myself, theoretically, whether a flashback scene might have more impact if it comes earlier or later than where I originally wrote it).
• Vary sentence length, for sure. Mix up your classic sentence types–simple, complex, compound, compound-complex–so your style isn’t monotone and doesn’t put readers to sleep. Within that guideline, keep things easy to read and to understand. Don’t let style inhibit getting your point across. When you do get somewhat more complex in style, let it be for EMPHASIS, and let it work for you.

If you liked this post, my previous post about in media res might also be of interest.