As a fan of various writing centric podcasts, I was struck with the question, is it better to have a complex story or not? What if complexity gives way to convolution? So, I wanted to take a minute to meditate on those concepts.
A lot goes into any piece of writing: character, setting, plot, themes. All of it is important to build an entertaining and fulfilling story for the reader. And of course, as the writer, we want to entertain and enthrall our readers. We want you to feel emotions, consider various issues and questions, and if we can, throw a surprise or two in your direction.
My question is, when does a complex novel become convoluted? Does it start out convoluted and we don’t notice it until we are deep into the story, or does it happen over time while we keep throwing in more and more great ideas that must be added to the mix. Are we adding conflicts and characters because the existing band of heroes and villains aren’t enough to keep the story exciting or interesting?
As writers, we should strive for complex, interesting tales, but be able to pull back and self-edit our idea when they started to creep over into the realm of the convoluted. I love epic fantasy. I can’t get enough of massive sweeping tales of a world on the brink of disaster that touches on the many races, nations, and peoples. Those are complex stories and tend to weave four or five main plots with eight or nine subplots without ever feeling convoluted. All the complexity seems naturally occurring because of the actions of the characters.
When I read a book that tries to have the same level of complexity without the characters driving the events, the story becomes convoluted. The twists and turns, surprises and revelations appear out of nowhere for the sake of presenting the characters with one more obstacle to overcome. The lacks a reason behind it all. There is no purpose beyond, “We need more excitement!”
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe my definition and impressions will change with time. I’m still parsing this question out.
Also, news update! My debut novel, Portrait of a Nuclear Family, is being publishing by D & T Publishing on Sept. 2nd and ebook preorders can be had through Godless Books on Aug. 19th. I am in the process of scheduling podcast interviews and excerpt readings. As more information trickles in, I will post it here (and likely everywhere else).
In the meantime, go read. Go Write. Go.