So I've recently finished the first draft of my new novel series. I feel like the main plot is basically there. However, I am having a lot of trouble with adding things to the book. I feel like the book needs more world building and possibly more breaks between big plot points, but I just can't figure out how to begin with these things. Any advice or tips on how I could go about this?
Hard to say without having seen your writing, but if you feel like the plot is there, you can flesh out the story and build up your world by showing it through your characters senses, feelings and thoughts. A mountain's a mountain to anyone, but it will generate a different response depending on the character's viewpoint. One concrete way to do this is to interrogate your story at a sentence level. Why does he find the mountain ominous? What past experience has caused him to see it that way? How has this past experience influenced his current world view? What's in his travel bag? Why did he bring these specific items? What does this item reminds him of? Obviously, not all of the answers will make it into the story, but what does will add dimension to your story without filling it with unnecessary fluff and things.
Put it down and come back to it fresh in a few weeks or months time. That's the only way to know what the book needs; to be approaching it like someone reading it for the first time, or at least as someone who doesn't know every word in the book and how all the plot points come together. You need to let it become more fuzzy in your head then look at the reality of the book again instead of what you think the book is. That will let you see what you really need. This is particularly true with pacing and how you weave plot points together. Writing is different to reading. It takes a very long time to write and that totally screws your ability to really see how far apart plot points are spaced, same when you come back and read when you are still close to the text. When you are writing you judge things by how long it took you to write them, but a to a reader it'll be completely different. You can fool yourself into pushing through the draggy bits when you know the text because you can skim through it and know what is going on just fine and that screws with your perception of pacing. Equally; a plot point that you were really into and spent a long time writing can seem to expand way beyond the space it fills in the book. You just have to get some distance and see things for what they are not what you think. I've just come back to my last book and was depressed to discover that it still has crappy mistakes in it and word echoes and things that I really should have caught by now. I've read it so much! But when I was working on it last doing primary editing, even when I was certain it was where I wanted it, I had spent three weeks solidly editing it until I could recite each chapter backwards and forwards and I was focused on length above all else and it shows in that I left in mistakes that I should have caught simply because my brain skimmed over the top of them looking for something else. Oh and as a general thing; most books don't need more world building. Most readers will get what you are doing and want to get on with the story.
When I want to add to my stories, I look for subplots. A subplot is a conflict that must be managed or solved in addition to the main plot.
Subplots work especially well if they mirror the main plot in some way, but show the reader a different outcome.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I think taking a little break from the book would be good. I've been really trying to push hard to finish it, although I'm not sure why. I've got no deadlines. I'll also see if any subplots can be integrated. I've got a few little conflicts the main characters deal with throughout the story on their way towards the main plot goal (and before honestly, since the real main plot doesn't necessarily become clear until probably 1/4th through the story). I'm wondering if I am focusing a little too much on length, as well. I know length isn't everything, but I keep thinking "Oh, it needs to be longer, I bet!". I honestly wish I could get some family/friends to read it and give me feedback. Getting some fresh eyes on the book may help me work through any kinks, too. Potentially, anyway.
Along the same vein as taking a break, read a book. whether similar or polar opposite of what you're writing, I personally find inspiration in seeing where a different set of characters move within their story. it seems to break up the writers block of feeling like you have to follow certain avenues to achieve your ends.
