Deeply pre-produced fantasy plot problems
by Attila
(Budapest, Hungary)
Greetings! :)
I have a fantasy setting in mind. The world itself is more or less done (meaning there are religions, families, legends, even a different calendar system borrowed from Daniel Keys Moran), but I have some problems regarding the plot itself.
What I think about:
Two young nobles go to the king for advice, but there will be a civil war on the way (and the families of these characters are on the opposing sides). Meanwhile there will be a necromancer conspiracy (not connected to the civil war), but I have sorted this line out somehow.
My problem:
I have different "milestones" which I cannot connect easily.
1. milestone (1st line)
The nobles meet at a ceremony
2. milestone
They start the journey to the king because someone lit the castle on fire after the ceremony
3. milestone (2nd line)
A monster-hunter gets an assignment to find a great bunch of soul stones (basic of magic)
4. milestone (3rd line)
An assassin is assigned to kill a mistress (one of the main characters)
5. milestone (1st line)
The Assassin and the Monster hunter duel, assassin runs away.
and so on...
When I make an attempt to connect them, the "connectors" are either too long or oversaturated with sub-plots.
What do you suggest?
Answer: It sounds as though you have three separate tales running parallel (and occasionally intertwined) in the story world, each of which has its own protagonist:
1. The noble.
2. The Monster-Hunter
3. The Assassin
Here's what I suggest. Get yourself three different colours of index cards. Put each event in the story on a separate card. Use a different colour for each tale/protagonist. Make sure each tale has a complete dramatic arc, composed of at least four events:
1. Inciting event
2. Complication
3. Crisis
4. Resolution
Once you have all three tales worked out separately, then weave them together into one chronological sequence of events. Regarding scenes where the tales merge, remember that several events can occur in a single scene (including events from different dramatic arcs).
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