: Re: How do I maintain flow and interest when handling numerous plot threads? I want to learn how to maintain the flow of a novel's plot - there are so many characters and events to organize.

@Sue2132873

Vote Up Vote Down

Look at Lord of the Rings as an example. Tolkein has a lot of characters, all doing different thinks in different places, and meeting up in odd combinations. So what he does is focus on a particular story for a while, progresses one group or individual, and leaves the others to get on with it. Sometimes, this is for half a book, sometimes, for a paragraph.

The important thing is to leave the characters in a position that they can wait in for a while. In prison, or climbing hills or similar works quite well. Or even just "off somewhere" and recounting the back-story when they meet up again ( as with Gandalf ).

The story is kept moving, because the current focus is always driving on, however you also have a concern for the other story passages, because they were left incomplete.

Of course, making sure that it all hangs together, geographically and chronologically, is a real challenge, that even Tolkein didn't quite get right all of the time.

(0)

Login to post a comment!