: Re: Cutting down story length without leaving out locations I'd like to write a story and I have plenty of elements for it, up to and including a set of locations, characters and events, as well

@Barnes643

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Make the settings serve the story.

If a setting does that, it doesn't necessarily need to be cut.

It sounds as though it may be fantasy with characters from different locations. In that case, give us a snapshot of each character and their setting but - and most importantly - have them already on the course of action to get onto the main stage of the action ASAP.

As the others said, fix a set bit of action in one place and give us the flavour of it. If the structure of the story is a journey, you already have the excuse to introduce multiple places and give us a set piece of action at each one so we can enjoy it.

If it's arc based, then ground the action in one location until the situation is resolved.

Much of this will depend on your style - the pilgrimage style or the arc based as mentioned, but there is also the multiple narrative thread style.

If action is going on in several places, you could have storylines for each and hop between them - as long as each thread is building towards some resolution as a whole. A story with multiple kingdoms probably in conflict with one another would suit this approach. Then the only editing needed would be to make sure the whole thing is pacy.

However, if you want a thriller-ish feel then location hopping can build excitement - it adds a chase against the clock sensation (e.g. The Da Vinci Code) but probably works best with real world locations everyone can picture instantly.

Secondly, don't over describe. If it's pace and volume that are the problems, give us the flavour of the place - especially if it's a setting only appearing for a few scenes.

Thirdly, if the setting is only needed to introduce a character, consider cutting that scene and then just move their introduction later on. This could also add more mystery about their motivations.

Finally, as mentioned before, make the setting work. If you need a particularly tense scene or moment the setting should match - a narrow alley, the edge of a cliff, etc. Otherwise if you can get away with reusing a previous setting, do it. This will cut down the description needed to introduce the reader to a lot of new places.

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