First, a novel isn't one plot: they are usually one main plot (A plot) and one or moe B plots.

For eample, my modren fanasy novel's main plot is the hero stopping a demon cult. But there are other, smaller plots:

1) the Hero has to come to terms with his relative's death, and the magical legacy the relative left.

2) discover who killed his relative.

3) start a relationship with a beautiful girl who may or may not be involved with the relative's death.

4) deal with a powerful legandary wizard who has her own reasons for being involved in the current problems.

Now, all these B plots are connected to the A plot, but they have their own beats and take up some of the screen time, so the A plot can fade in the background for a scene or two, or even for an entire chapter before coming back to the forefront.

A Game of Thrones is another example - smaller plots woven together for a comple story.

So, create the main plot and look for subplots that can be spun off the main plot. That how a novel can be written.

YMMV, of course.....

Craig

This finally is firming up in my mind. It's a lot like the time value of money and a constant stream of funds into the account, right? In other words, it's the accumulative effect that's important. in addition, the more you have to dump in the soonest will increase that total over time.

Thanks guys!

Exactly! Its's not going for the big killing, it's the five-ten-fifteen books that earn small amounts consistantly over YEARS. WIth E-books, they never go out of print, so even if they're earning only a couple of hundred bucks over a year, it's still more money then it would have made otherwise if it was out of print....

Of course, if one of our books hits for the big bucks, we're not going to complain, are we? 

Craig

Welcome to our corner of the Forum! We're a nice group here, so you should fit right in! 

Craig

Well, my 22nd story for Battlecorps, "State of Grace" went live up on the Battlecorps website. Third story this year, and it's looking like a good year for me so far! 

Craig

Re: The first one, Neuro.

Yes, all characters have functions but in this one book - it was so blatantly obvious that
a certain character was just being set up to be killed that it annoyed me - I guess because
she came off like a paper target.  No real depth to her.

But you just decribed aq large slice of English murder mysteries. I've read a lot of those type, in which you're fairly sure who's going to get killed withing the first few chapter (if it's not on the back of the book cover), usually through interaction with the people around them (who then become the suspects.)

Craig

http://trboturtleswritings.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-original-writing-update.html

An update on my writing, via my blog....

Craig

Battlecorps.com just e-published my twentieth short story for Battletech, "Operation Red Lion". A good way to start out the New Year......

Craig

I'm at 33,157 words. Had my first back-to-back subpar days Thursday and Friday, but I hope to end that tonight...

Craig