The phenomenon can affect written works, although it is often more noticeable in performed media such as television shows or movies.
A sign of plot drift can be the increased introduction of new characters and settings near the end of a story.
[example needed] Sometimes, a plot drift may be accidental when translating a traditionally oral story to written form.
[1] Oral storytelling is inconsistent and various regional, or even familial, differences can cause a plot to shift.
A contrary literary technique might include the apparent introduction of plot drift, only to later reveal a connection to the rest of the story.