I have a question I'm hoping for some answers too. Coming up in the story very soon, there's a moment where the story has a possibility of branching off into a
side story. What I want to know is if I should branch off into the side story at that moment, taking the narrative away from the story for a few chapters or if I should continue the narrative as it is and post the side story chapters afterwards.
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Comments
Why do either?
I realize that it could be difficult to do, but why not just post it at the same time? I don't know how hard it would be, and how much time it would take for you. Me, I'm a very slow storyteller, but some of y'all seem to come up with new stories fairly quickly.
Wren
Hard Time
I have a hard time writing two stories at once. I've done it in the past but its really difficult, especially two Center stories.
go with the flow
it maybe frustrating for us to wait, but if the story flows to the side story first follow your muse.
Well...
The muse tends to go where it will, after all. If the story moves into the side story without jarring on the senses I think we'll be able to wait for it to finish before the rest of Becca's current story.
Maggie
i have seen both ways work
but i prefer to keep the story in one timeline, so if the events in the side story happen before events in later chapters, i would post them first.
"Treat everyone you meet as though they had a sign on them that said "Fragile, under construction"
dorothycolleen
BSC Side Story
The side story is in the same timeline...it takes place at the same time Becca and her team are in England. It will involve Mattie and Clara.
It depends...
IF the side story enhances the main story line, then the answer generally is "maybe".
If the side story detracts from the main story line, then the answer generally is "probably not".
You have a lot of choices on what to do with a "side story". Just like those authors out there that actually get PAID for their work, we have choices to make.
If the side story adds to the main story line - or is important to understand some character's future actions, then sometimes it IS necessary to write the sideline. The question then becomes where to put the branch... And when/how to merge it back in. Sometimes, you branch when you think of it, but this is generally the worst time. Sometimes it's not handled until the LAST moment. And sometimes, it's handled as an afterthought... Oh, you want to know why billy joe did that? Well, it's this way...
Sometimes you need the detailed story for the sideline. Sometimes it's just a hint/summary that's needed, and as hinted earlier, sometimes you don't need it at all. (But, don't forget it. Jot it down, and write it anyway... Who knows, you may end up writing a spin-off story later on... The pros do.)
So take a step back and look at your story. Look at the sideline, and decide where it goes. Because, you see, it all depends.
Anne
I can imagine
That the side story of Mattie and Clara actually deals with the traitor on the Center side (and I stress that this is my guess and nothing more), so I think it is essential to the story. However, as you said, such a story could be inserted at different points. For example, some foreshadowings in the main storyline, with some retrospection on Clara and Mattie's part once Becca returns from England. Like a sleepover story. ;)
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
Faraway
Big Closet Top Shelf
Where you can fool around like you want to and most you get is some bemused good ribbing!
The Contract of Writing
When you sit down with a friend and say "I'm going to tell you a story" you've created a contract and a set of obligations.
It's the same thing with writing.
One of those obligations is to make sure every word, every sentence, and every chapter moves the story forward. As the writer you can decide the pace. If your "side story" moves the story forward it is a valid part of the obligation you have to your reader. Then you have to make a judgment call about pace. If the side story slows the story to a crawl you can't expect your readers to continue turning pages.
You can do anything you want as an author. Just as you can say anything you want after you offer to tell your friend a story, but don't expect your audience to either like it or put up with it.
By the way . . . what's with your name? I pity you if that's your philosophy.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)