Does my novel have too many plots?

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Does my novel have too many plots?; Please help!
Topic Started: Feb 15 2009, 04:20 PM (56 Views)
Wannabe Writer	Feb 15 2009, 04:20 PM Post #1
Fountain Pen Posts: 252 Group: Super Moderator Member #27 Joined: Feb 8, 2009	I've been doing some planning for a new novel, and it's fantasy. Here's a little summary: In the country of Agrova, high above the ground, deep inside the branches of the massive oaks that stretch across the land, lies the Mission (name is temporary), a civilization that was created after a hurricane nearly destroyed Agrova. Houses sit upon platforms that are built into the branches, and are strung together bridges and rope ladders. The Council of Agrova, a powerful and menacing group of people, controls the people and enforces stern rules and severe punishments, but all that is about to change as the people of the Mission mutiny against the Council, resulting in violence, murder, and a struggle of power. In the midst of these battles is a half-Duragh ( a species that I created that is similar to humans) girl, named Amaris. Because of her blood of another species, she is scorned, bullied, and mocked at her school in the Mission, and Amaris is sick of it. And when she hears a story about the lost species, dragons and Duraghs, from the town storyteller, she knows that she must find them before all is lost. I know, I'm bad at summaries, but I'm not asking for a critique. My problem is that I think that the story has too many plots. Besides the one listed above, there are these: 1) Amaris's dad was killed in a mysterious accident, and she sets out to avenge his death. 2) A strange teenager who might be a Duragh is blackmailing her. And, I'm going to add magic to the novel, which is going to add a whole subplot, and, somewhere through the story, Amaris will find a dragon, which eventually will add a subplot. So, if that's too many subplots, which one should I cut? And, are dragons too cliche? I made some different characteristics for the dragons in my novel, but I'm not sure if that would be cliche.



Lykaios	Feb 21 2009, 06:46 PM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 671 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 23, 2008	Hehe, I have a similar problem with my current story. But I think that if you can write it then it's fine. You just have to make4 sure that all these sub-plots join up and make sense to the reader and not just go off and then end, if you see what I mean? I like the idea you've got and drangons are a little cliche but I think you could make them your own, just use your own ideas for them instead of the typical view of dragons. You could do a lot with it that makes it original. I hope this helps.
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Wannabe Writer	Feb 21 2009, 07:22 PM Post #3
Fountain Pen Posts: 252 Group: Super Moderator Member #27 Joined: Feb 8, 2009	I took out the parts about magic, and pasted them into a blank file for use in a future novel. I tried my best to make dragons not cliche. Examples: MY dragons can't fly with people for very long, they do not have human intelligence (Eragon), they are more lizard-like than dragon-like, they are extremely prone to diseases, they have papery skin, they can't do magic (Eragon), and I'm going to think of something to do about fire-breathing. I want them to be able to breathe fire, but I need to make it more original... Oh, and my dragons are MUCH smaller.



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