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 Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 7:20 pm
What do you think makes a good plot a good plot?
Sub-plots do it for me. I love having sub plots tie together at the end of a novel for a big explosion of an ending.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:27 pm
This is kind of a really general questions, so I'll give you my best general answer ^^.
I like the plots that aren't hard to follow, but have all the little details that make it interesting, and don't make you question why the author shoved it in, but rather why the characters did it, if it's within their personailty scope and abilities.
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 9:44 pm
What really makes a plot for me, besides that explosion at the end, is suspense, philosophy, and a bit of the "What the Hell?" factor to keep my attention. I like plots that mess with my mind. Somehow, for me, it's the ones that shock that stick their philosophies into me.
Unlike my mum, who turns away at the first sight of violence and horror.
But you asked what I think, not what she does. ^.^
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Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:39 pm
I thoroughly enjoy many sub-plots as well. Sometimes having just one side-plot will make a story more simpler and better to read, but I enjoy having many sub-plots that ultimately pulls the main plot to an awesome, explosive, badass ending.
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:56 pm
I actually like books that don't really have a set plot.
For some reason.
I guess it could be several little plots here and there that mix together, but in the end, I can't pick out what the book was mainly about.
I think I find books like that more realistic [even though I like realistic books, compared to fantasy and all that], because you can't look at your life and tell someone the 'plot'.
I just confused myself...
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:25 pm
To me, a good plot should have many layers. As many as the author can pull off before sounding absurd. Although, simple to the point of almost disappearing plots CAN be used well, I often find myself disappointed by them (no offense, Muffin), in the sense that the narrative space freed up by a lack of a plot doesn't end up being used well.
Any time there's any sort of question or mystery going on, I feel a writer should aim for something the readers COULD figure out, but most ultimately won't. That makes for good rereads!
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:01 pm
Layered plots are great and I love sub plots that always add up to something important.
I love it when a sub plot suddenly appears in my story and somehow in hell, without me realizing it, it adds up to something big and ties in with the story. whee
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Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:53 am
I like plots that make one think. Life isn't a simple "this is what it's all about" thing; life is complicated and multi-layered and require people to think. Even fantasy stories, in my opinion, should be just as complex. The more realistic one can make things, in my view, the better.
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:37 pm
I am in love with character pieces so I completely get what Muffin is talking about.
In my writing, however, I like to vary it up. The majority of the story will be that thought-provoking character study stuff but it happens in a realistic context. No man is an island. As we go about our day-to-day routine the world is happening to us. My characters will ultimately get caught up in all the things that are happening to them and whether they have to save the world, save the ones they love, or simply decide where their hearts really lie...there must be build and climax.
I also believe in a strong back-story. The world didn't start when I was born and the people I meet don't start living the minute I set eyes on them--they all have stories and lives and motivations of their own. I think if a writer does his best to make minor characters rounded then he's well on his way to a multi-dimensional story. I also believe that, while stories should have closure, it shouldn't be like the epilogue to Harry Potter.
"And then they all got married and made babies and made amends with former rivals."
I think it should be a suggestion of how things went on from that point forward, more like the closure one would get in a vignette.
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:21 pm
I like plots that are consistent, have a few subplots, and neatly tie everything together. One of my favorite books combines truth, cancer, a swamp, a lying kid, and a magic skull together. An odd combination to be sure, but it works.
I do not mind ones that are just Point A to Point B without any real main plot or are just a series of small sub-plots with no real main plot (I write this way, as do many of my favorite authors). It just has to all together eventually and make sense.
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:14 pm
I like a plot that is less 'conventional'. As a fantasy reader... we don't get it that often. No offense - but plots that follow an anti-hero instead of a hero and take a variation of the 'hero's journey' do it for me. Because the twists are usually very unexpected and very good.
I also like it when everything is answered in the end xD But, I don't really like it when the author just says "this is how it all works, deal with it." I like it when there are hints at what is going on buried throughout. I love the whole 'roller coster' model, but in the end, I want most of the strings tied together... unless there's more coming!
I like an overall driving plot - but if there are many sub-plots... I really don't mind. I just need something at least somewhat concrete ... I read too much.
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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:15 am
Plots that make me think I really love. Plots that also shock me. I've read so much stuff that is so predictable. I really love something that would make my mouth drop open.
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DesertRoseFallen Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:59 pm
I think that any plot you write that can really grab the attention of the reader, and keep it throughout the entire story, is pure gold. Of course everyone has different tastes, but finding something that for whatever reason is able to appeal to the vast majority of people... That, in my opinion, would be an awesome plot.
That's kind of hard to do, though. I like it when some things are kind of cliche, but not everything. Like if the whole plot is cliche then you've got a problem, for obvious reasons.
I'm new here, by the way.
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