"Random" Side adventures

IMHO, yes, unless it somehow informs or relates to the main adventure. If it isn't essential to the characters' quests (what they need most, not necessarily a specific quest within the story) or to develop character, setting or plot, leave it out. And I do mean essential.

Debbie V said:

IMHO, yes, unless it somehow informs or relates to the main adventure. If it isn't essential to the characters' quests (what they need most, not necessarily a specific quest within the story) or to develop character, setting or plot, leave it out. And I do mean essential.

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I couldn't agree with this more.

One of my own flaws as a writer is that I often come up with a terrific scene or chapter, (imo) but one that really is a side trip -- you could drop it from the book and it wouldn't make any difference. But how can I drop such a strong scene?

My own solution is to twist the plot, and to add a few things that turn the scene from a side trip into something that advances the plot and becomes integral to it. Not always easy, but it can be done, and seamlessly if you're skilled enough.

I agree with Debbie. Anything that isn't in some way related to the main plot shouldn't be part of the book. You're making a bargain with your readers' expectations: 'whatever's in this book, is in here for a reason.' If your supporting character's side trip to the Great Goblin Market of Cornerstore for chips and beer doesn't mean anything to the plot, then it cheats the readers. And believe me, they'll pick up on it.

I'm a D&D player, and I had to realize early on that writing a story and crafting an adventure are two different animals. Depending on your party, side-adventures can be for the fun of it, the profit, to stall the players while you're figuring out the next major encounter, whatever. Stories have to be more self-contained. Dragonlance and Salvatore aside, D&D isn't always the best template for fiction.

If you really want to do the side adventure, write it as a stand alone short story. It does not belong in the larger work.

Cut any extraneous sub-plots like others have already recommended, but I don't mind reading a chapter or two that takes a break from the main story and teaches me about the characters. Just make sure that the character traits illuminated this way tie back into the main plot, or it'll be for naught.

Some classics (we'll name Tolkien for now) like to go off on random tangents (say, about some sort of marijuana-like substance that Hobbits like to smoke) that have absolutely nothing to do with the overall plot. It's a world-building that few use anymore.

As others have said, it usually has to be plot-related or have to do with character development. So random adventures are just a waste of words and time, but that's not to say you couldn't tie them in somehow to the plot.

Yes, I think that a random side-quest detracts from the story. If you have to have it in there, at least try to tie in some element from the adventure that will later help your protagonist.

Nick Blaze said:

about some sort of marijuana-like substance that Hobbits like to smoke

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Pipe-weed was, in fact, a variety of nicotiana. That is, tobacco, not marijuana. In the Two Towers, Tolkien (as the narrator) says "he produced a small leather bag full of tobacco." Merry then says "we found they were filled with this: as fine a pipe-weed as you could wish for, and quite unspoilt."

Peace.