1. cynthia_1968

    cynthia_1968 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    How many storylines do you have?

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by cynthia_1968, Jul 7, 2014.

    Hello everyone, just like I stated here: how many storylines do you have in your biggest story so far? I’ve used four storylines in “Hotel of the death – the chosen one ” and they all come together at the end.

    And if you apply more than one storyline, aren't you afraid to confuse your reader?
     
  2. Michael the Angel

    Michael the Angel Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2014
    Messages:
    67
    Likes Received:
    12
    No. Look at works like The Count of Monte Christo, which features almost a dozen sub-stories. Although the average reader can follow them all, I'm sure (indicative of the wild success of this particular story), I'm also fairly confident that a small percentage might lose some of the details. Maybe even crucial pieces of the story.

    But that's what a reread is for. Those same people probably have to watch films a couple of times before they can fully digest the plot. Books are no different.

    My novel has several smaller storylines entwined into one, but that's also because my novel is about the lives of several young adults all eventually coming together. In order to connect the reader with my characters, I have no choice but to elaborate on their individual backgrounds.
     
  3. MissApiphany

    MissApiphany New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2014
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    I have a number of subplots going on in my work, but mostly they're there for character development reasons. I like using a character's past/backstory to explain why they are the way they are, then let them do their own thing while the main story line is taking place. All of their actions are aimed to push the main plot forward naturally, many the story feel more interesting, and (hopefully) make readers care about your characters as much as you do.
    If you can pull off weaving together multiple story lines in order to support the main line, then by all means, do it. Personally I love character-driven stories with a lot of depth to them.
     
  4. feathersinflight

    feathersinflight Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2014
    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    3
    I have four stories that stand separately from each other, but are all related in some way. In the main story that I'm working on, there is the main plot, but also an overarching plotline that deals with different characters and operates on a massively different timescale. Then for both plot lines, there are little thematic backstories for most of the main players...
     
  5. peachalulu

    peachalulu Member Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    May 20, 2012
    Messages:
    4,620
    Likes Received:
    3,807
    Location:
    occasionally Oz , mainly Canada
    I've confused myself writing stories so I usually try to keep it to two storylines - a main plot/sub-plot deal. But I'm working on a story in which, though there are main characters, a place becomes a character unto it's self so I'm thinking about adding bits of plot from other characters that come and go to show the full scope and effect this place has on them. Figuring it out however is hard. But I've been looking at some books with fractured storylines to help me out.
     
  6. Commandante Lemming

    Commandante Lemming Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 8, 2014
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    1,306
    Location:
    Washington, DC, USA
    I have two "main" storylines - I label them foreground and background....but the foreground has four or five characters that all have their own battles that aren't always in the same place. Still trying to decide how many of them I follow when they are alone, at least three.
     
  7. cynthia_1968

    cynthia_1968 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands
    Clive Barker is a master when it comes to fractured storylines.
     
  8. ToDandy

    ToDandy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2013
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    333
    Location:
    Bozeman Montana
    I've always preferred to go by the idea of "there is no subplots". A good subplot should work to enhance the main plot and add to it. I can't claim I always succeed in this, but I hope to get points for trying.
     
    Commandante Lemming likes this.
  9. Commandante Lemming

    Commandante Lemming Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 8, 2014
    Messages:
    1,601
    Likes Received:
    1,306
    Location:
    Washington, DC, USA
    I kind of like the "no subplots" idea from ToDandy...I have one really big global plot, and all of the little people running around (including my main characters and main plot) are all just little pieces that fit into the larger arc. I may have stuff going on in two or three other countries but it all feeds into the same narrative, and really my "main" plot is just another subplot in a story that, in my case, is about the direction of the entire world. But there can only be one larger story.
     
    ToDandy likes this.
  10. Annalise_Azevedo

    Annalise_Azevedo Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2014
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    Australia
    Since I have several points of views, I give the characters each a plot. For my first story, there's roughly five plots from each main POV character that makes it a full story.
     
    cynthia_1968 likes this.
  11. Renee J

    Renee J Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2013
    Messages:
    460
    Likes Received:
    220
    Location:
    Reston, VA
    Most of my subplots are reactions to the main plot. A man dies saving the life of a girl who ran into the path of a speeding truck. The main story centers around his widow and the father of the girl. Subplots include the girl's guilt, the widow's daughter's anger, and the father's anger at his ex for not preventing it (the girl was with her mother at the time of the accident.)
     
  12. AsherianCommand

    AsherianCommand Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2014
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    34
    Location:
    Chicago, Illinois
    6 (3 Major) (3 Minor ones)

    The 2 major ones are suppose to show the brothers differences, as both are important and are both dealing with different ideas. One is about self discovery of the self, the other is about the other brother and his use of his abilities. The third one is the one you don't see, but it is only seen through other characters briefly, it isn't spelled out or pronounced it is a drawing cancer. The other three are reactions of what is going in the other Major plot line the third less pronounced and the other two characters major plot lines.
     
  13. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    In my recent novel, (released the other day) I have one main storyline, and 2 subplots. It felt just enough as I don't want to make it cloggy, and the main topic is so strong that I don't want to distract too much from that. They kind of complete each other. In my first novel I had pretty much the same, now that I think of it. :)
     
  14. cynthia_1968

    cynthia_1968 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Messages:
    162
    Likes Received:
    46
    Location:
    Amsterdam, the Netherlands
    Nice to know that I'm not the 'only one' who works with multiple story lines.... :pop:;):read:
     
  15. maskedhero

    maskedhero Active Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2013
    Messages:
    365
    Likes Received:
    32
    Location:
    America
    I have 4 in my latest work. Some authors can have 8 balls in the air or more at a time though.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice