[ldparker]

So I self-published a novel last December. It was my first attempt at a novel and while it didn't set the world on fire, I was proud of the final results even though the novel had some flaws. I am working on plotting out the 2nd and 3rd books in the planned trilogy.

One of the main things I want to do in the future books is to balance out the sub-plots a bit. The first novel had a number of entwined plot arcs but I am not sure in the end if everything was as balanced as I would like.

The novel I am writing is contemporary and more character driven so I feel these sub-plots are important to the overall story, but at the same time, I am trying to balance out the subplotsso the story doesn't go off the rails.

For those writers here who have subplots in their novels, I am curious as to how much space you have allotted in your works towards subplots versus the A plot line. I know it is not a formula and needs to be somewhat organic, but any thoughts on the proportions of the A plot versus sub-plots in your novel would be appreciated. For example, did you find you had a 70-30 split? something else?

All thoughts appreciated.

 

[ldparker]

Hi, my first novel was what I would call contemporary women's fiction--a coming of age story.

It clocked in at about 120K words which is, in my opinion, too long for commercial fiction unless its amazing.

I am hoping to get in the 70-90K range this time around.

 

[ldparker]

In general, the sub-plots are all relationship focused. Because the story is more character driven, the sub-plots are meant to help advance the protagonist's personal development in the series.