“Using Multiple Plots When You Write Your Book! --An Expert's How to Write a Book Step-by-Step Guide”
Here's how you can use one, two or even more plots in your book...
by Steve Manning
This is one of the most intriguing and easy ways to expand your novel to a size that will take you from slim to super size in just moments. Master it and your biggest problem will keeping your books down to a manageable size. Here's the key to creating epic size novels.
Popular about 25 years ago, and making a comeback (if they were ever out of fashion) is the multiple plot novel. This is the novel that always gives the reader the impression that a master writer is at work, weaving and twisting two and sometimes three plots together so the final result is a manuscript that reads like nothing short of a masterpiece.
Really, nothing could be further from the truth. This strategy is remarkably easy if you'll just let your mind wonder and take up the challenge of creating a very substantial book.
A word of warning here. These books really do tend to take off and become very large stories. Almost the equivalent of combining two or three novels between the covers of a single book. So don't consider this strategy if you're going to be writing genre fiction, like the western, or romance. You'll shoot right past the allotted page count in just a mater of days and you still won't be near winding the story up to the satisfaction of the reader. Leave this technique for the mega blockbuster, or the 400+ page thriller. Otherwise your book will look exactly like what it is, too much story for the confines of a single novel.
By the way, this strategy also works if you've already finished your book and you want to expand it. You may have only 100 pages or so and you've pretty much exhausted that story. Don't think of the multiple plot strategy as simply the provider of filler. It had quickly provide a lot of zing to your book and spice up the primary story dramatically. In fact, you may find it easier to ad the subsequent plots after you've created the first story. At least then you'll have a very good idea of where you want to end up.
So let's get started. As the name implies, the multiple plot technique creates a novel with multiple plots. You can literally see-saw back and forth, between plots, one chapter at a time if ;you'd like. The second plot usually makes its first appearance right after the first or second chapter. By that I mean that the main plot has already been established. Now it's just a matter of quite literally starting a new story. They can be completely different, with different subjects, certainly different characters, and even different presentation styles. If there is one rule, (and this one is flexible if you're involved with science fiction) both plots should occur at approximately the same time.
Time for a little unabashed, self promotion: If you haven’t asked for my Free CD, “How to Write a Book On Anything in 14 Days Guaranteed!” then you’re just plain nuts! It’s free, no charge, but you can bet this $100 CD will be carrying that price tag very shortly. How do you get it? Just email me at Free CD, Please, or CD_please@writeabooknow.com and make sure you include your name, your mailing address and your telephone number in the email. Now, back to the article…
So the first plot can be about masterminding the take over of the world. The second can be about a peasant farmer in Peru. In fact, the more disparate these two plots seem to be to the reader, the better it will be for the book. After the reader is introduced to the second plot, she should constantly be thinking, "How in the world are these two plot lines going to come together?" She knows they will, otherwise why is the second plot even there. But the actual logistics, she can produce that in her mind in a million years.
Just to allay your own fears, it really doesn't matter how far flung those two plots. You can always bring them together will just a little imagination. How? That's easy. As your main plot reaches its climax, the ingredient that has been created by the second plot becomes essential to the completion of the first plot.
The two plots should develop well on their own for about the first third of the book, with little more than a hint of connection between the two. Then, as we approach the end of the book, the two plot lines draw near each other and nearly touch a couple of times. They might even cross over. The reader sees the irony and is delighted by it.
Finally, the two plots become so intermingled that one cannot exist without the elements of the other.
Can you use three plots? Gee, how big do you want your book to be? There can be more than just the two plots, but they're more like threads that appear suddenly and then just as suddenly they're incorporated into one of the main plots.
While we're on the topic of strategies, and if you haven't already done so, feel free to
subscribe to my FREE on-line course, "How To Write A Book On
Anything in 14 Days... or Less" it's packed with tips, techniques
and tactics for writing your book faster than you ever thought possible! But
ONLY if you're SERIOUS about writing a book NOW!
Wait a minute! You mean you still don't have your writing program, "How to Write A Book On Anything in 14 Days Or Less... Guaranteed!"? Well click How to Write A Book!
Time for a little unabashed, self promotion: If you haven’t asked for my Free CD, “How to Write a Book On Anything in 14 Days Guaranteed!” then you’re just plain nuts! It’s free, no charge, but you can bet this $100 CD will be carrying that price tag very shortly. How do you get it? Just email me at Free CD, Please, or CD_please@writeabooknow.com and make sure you include your name, your mailing address and your telephone number in the email.
Like this article? Link to it from your web site or blog -- just copy/paste this HTML:
Want more ideas for getting your book published free? Take a look at this article for all the answers you'll ever need.