Launching all the boats

Aw, I thought this thread was gonna be about boats. *mopes*

Advice: Just keep writing!

Is this a first draft or a revision? If first draft, just keep writing and worry about pacing during revision. If revision, then keep the story flowing. Always have a question open that the reader wants to have answered.

This subject interests me as well - it seems like something Uncle Jim would've covered in his thread, but I can't remember it now.

Are there any guidelines or accepted norms for this? What about the number of plot points launched - the OP mentioned 3 main ones - is that a subjective number?

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread...

*backs out and subscribes*

There's no real timetable of when everything should launch, but I do agree you should do it as early as is possible with it still making sense to do so. Don't wait three more chapters to introduce an important character or problem when it makes sense to do it now, even in passing, because that's what builds three dimensional worlds and scenarios.

As long as it works, and you're not throwing in the kitchen sink just because, then you should be fine.

The only rule about pacing that I can think of is "keep the reader turning pages". As long as the reader is interested, as long as there's some story question yet to be answered, it's fine. The question of how fast the reader is turning pages is a different issue.

I remember the UJ thread talking about getting the story started with something simple as the character going out to get a ham sandwich. The character has a clearly defined want and is acting on it. Now whether he gets the sandwich or is ambushed by ninjas on the way to the deli - that depends on the type of the story. What starts the story doesn't have to be the same impetus that finishes the story. Some stories build. A small thing to get started leads to a bigger question which leads to something even bigger, etc.

I disagree with the idea that every story thread needs to start immediately. The UJ thread also talks about his Celtic knotwork theory of plotting. As one story thread falls, another rises to take its place. One question is answered, but spawns other questions. I think of it as playing leapfrog, or sewing a seam. The story thread is always there, but the reader doesn't always see it.

I also don't think you need to launch every story thread so soon. If you have some sort of slow-burning thread, one that won't become prominent until much later, is there really any need to bring it up as early as the first 2,000 words?

I think you're supposed to launch all the plot boats ferrying all your main characters in the first quarter of the ms, ending with the first of your "twists".

At least that's what they tell me.

Rather than watching the boats launching, I'd prefer to come along the plot fleet just as the storm hits.