Hi all. I would just like to know if anyone out there starts one story-line and sticks with that one until the end? At the moment I have five story-lines, all partly done, and from out of the blue another idea popped into my head the other day. If there is someone who does stick with one idea until it's finished please tell me how you do it. I can't start a sixth! Thanks.
Hi, Elsie.
Two many storylines would confuse the reader. I also wouldn't advise you to have more than one plot - only a few well-established authors have managed that successfully.
Your novel should have one main theme, which is what your novel is about. The plot evolves from that. It is what your protagonist hopes to achieve, partially achieve, or fails to achieve by the end of your novel.
One main storyline is best. Keep it as simple and straight forward as possible. A sub-plot is fine as long as it is skilfully woven into the storyline.
The danger of using more than one storyline is that your best working ideas could be submerged among more storylines. Then your best ideas would lose their effectiveness and not stand alone.
To use chapters as an example. A chapter, like a novel, should have a beginning, middle and end. A chapter should have one main theme and end with a landmark event - a cliff-hanger or hook.
The reason would-be authors struggle with chapter titles is because there is too much going on in a chapter to think of a suitable chapter title that will cover all that has happened. To many events in a single chapter usually results in too much detail and to much formation for the reader to absorb, because no singular even stands alone from the other events. You would face the same danger with to many storylines throughout your novel.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.
If you're talking about different stories rather than sub-plots in the same one, I write them as outlines. The big worry is, if you don't do something with them they'll vanish into the subconscious ether. So if you write the ideas down - they won't be full stories so will need working on - then your original thoughts have not been lost. And if something relating to one of your 'forward catalogue' pops into your head while you're working on your current project, just write that down in the file too.
Works for me.