Too Much Plot?

Is your story drowning in plot twists? Does your novel feel weighed down by excessive subplots? Here's how to diagnose the problem and restore your story's heartbeat.

The "Kitchen Sink" Syndrome

Many new writers, feeling insecure about their plotting abilities, try to compensate by adding more and more elements:

• Extra characters appear
• Multiple subplots emerge
• The body count mysteriously rises
• Secondary characters suddenly reveal shocking secret identities

This tendency can affect both new ideas and stories that have been revised over years, morphing and expanding as the writer's inspirations change.

The Real Solution: Character Development

The key isn't making your plot more complex—it's developing your characters more fully. Well-realized characters naturally generate compelling storylines. As a writer, you need to know:

• Their deepest hopes and fears
• What keeps them awake at night
• Their family relationships and history
• Their guilty pleasures and internal contradictions

This deep character knowledge helps you understand how they'll react in any situation, making scenes write themselves with authentic depth and believability.

Creating Character Agency

Characters need agency to drive the story forward. Without it, they become passive leaves in the wind, moved by plot events rather than their own choices. Consider Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice—her decision to refuse Mr. Darcy's proposal stems from her character, not plot convenience.

Using Motivation to Suspend Disbelief

If your character feels real, readers will follow them anywhere. Take Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl—its premise sounds outlandish summarized in one line, but Amy Dunne's complex characterization makes her actions believable.

Prioritizing Internal Conflict

Instead of relying on external antagonists, consider internal obstacles:

• Self-defeating behaviors
• Personal contradictions
• Character flaws
• Moral dilemmas

These internal conflicts often create more compelling drama than external threats. For example, in R.F. Kuang's Yellowface, the protagonist's ambition and jealousy drive the story more powerfully than external events.

The Path Forward

When revising a plot-heavy story:

1. Focus on character motivations first
2. Ensure choices stem from personality, not plot necessity
3. Create internal conflicts alongside external ones
4. Allow characters to make mistakes and contradictory decisions
5. Let character growth drive the story's resolution

Remember: A complex character will always be more compelling than a complex plot.