First of all, I dig complex novels, those with lots of stuff going on. And I understand that subplots don't necessarily have to last the entire length of a novel, but I feel perhaps I am including too many short, "mini-plots" in addition to the central plot and the one or two important subplots.
In a nutshell, my WIP is about a career criminal (the MC) investigating the murder of his partner. The MC enlists the help of a well-connected, highly-corrupt private investigator--the MC pulls PI jobs in exchange for the police files obtained by the private eye.
The problem is, I have about three of these PI jobs, each lasting one or two chapters throughout the novel. They're very indirectly related to the main plot (the murder investigation), and don't play into the mystery behind the investigation on their own. However, I like them because they make the MC work for the info--I don't want to make things too easy for him.
I am conflicted. On the one hand, like I said, they're realistic in that the MC is forced to return the PI's favors instead of being pro bono. I also like that they help detail the criminal underworld I am trying to develop and make a central theme in the novel. On the other hand, it makes those sections kind of episodic; the other plot and subplots are interwoven with these short PI jobs--the MC is working multiple angles at one time--but since they come and go in a chapter or two, it may perhaps detach too much from the central plot.
Of course the most obvious answer, and one that I may engage, would be to consolidate these "mini-plots." But again, I'm afraid of making things too easy for the MC.
Any tips or ideas? I'd appreciate it!
And I hope this all makes sense. Let me know if I can clarify anything.
In a nutshell, my WIP is about a career criminal (the MC) investigating the murder of his partner. The MC enlists the help of a well-connected, highly-corrupt private investigator--the MC pulls PI jobs in exchange for the police files obtained by the private eye.
The problem is, I have about three of these PI jobs, each lasting one or two chapters throughout the novel. They're very indirectly related to the main plot (the murder investigation), and don't play into the mystery behind the investigation on their own. However, I like them because they make the MC work for the info--I don't want to make things too easy for him.
I am conflicted. On the one hand, like I said, they're realistic in that the MC is forced to return the PI's favors instead of being pro bono. I also like that they help detail the criminal underworld I am trying to develop and make a central theme in the novel. On the other hand, it makes those sections kind of episodic; the other plot and subplots are interwoven with these short PI jobs--the MC is working multiple angles at one time--but since they come and go in a chapter or two, it may perhaps detach too much from the central plot.
Of course the most obvious answer, and one that I may engage, would be to consolidate these "mini-plots." But again, I'm afraid of making things too easy for the MC.
Any tips or ideas? I'd appreciate it!
And I hope this all makes sense. Let me know if I can clarify anything.
