Writing How do you find a balance in your leadup vs primary conflict?

[Amberhorn]

I have so much outlined, and a rather long journey for a character. However, I struggle to find a proper balance in filler/leadup compared to the main conflict of a given arc. How do you find a good way to really do that? Or is it really necessary? I almost axed portions before because I didn't want the story to be torture porn with no evident build-up at first at the very least. Any input or help if at all is appreciated.

 

[lnv]

I have so much outlined, and a rather long journey for a character. However, I struggle to find a proper balance in filler/leadup compared to the main conflict of a given arc. How do you find a good way to really do that? Or is it really necessary? I almost axed portions before because I didn't want the story to be torture porn with no evident build-up at first at the very least. Any input or help if at all is appreciated.

Generally, I follow the policy of thinking if I can do something interesting, and do those interesting things into the filler or lead up. If I feel like I am just going to drag the story for little to no benefit or it won't be fun, it is better to cut it out or simply up the pacing and get where you need to be.

 

[DubstheDuke]

I mean, when I write at least, I try to make everything tie back into itself. I'll admit that there have been many stories for certain characters that have just been 'because I wanted to do it', but I always try to give some sort of plot reason in the end to it, tying it all together.

For example, (Spoilers if you're reading my story) I wrote a certain arc where I allowed my main characters to attend a school. Why? Because I thought it would be fun for these evil demon lords to attend magical academy like everything was normal and then all of a sudden whip out their overpoweredness. However, in doing this, I ended up introducing a character who was immensely important to the progression of the series, and developing said character throughout the arc, using the events of the arc which led directly into the main plotline.

Buildup is very important in storytelling, and if you just spring things on your viewers, it will leave them with whiplash. On the other hand, sometimes springing things on them can achieve a shock effect. I personally really enjoy building up a character in a direction that seems obvious, then to spring the reality on them. Like when I'm writing a fight where one character should very obviously lose, I often show them growing and developing, using new tactics and improving their abilities throughout the fight. Maybe they even unleash some new form or power level, and gain the advantage in a moment of victory.

Only for them to realize that they aren't the main character, and that the entire fight was just the opposition messing with them.

But as far as buildup of a character, I think that you need to show enough so that people understand 'who is this character'. This doesn't have to be through explicit filler 'arcs'. Each scenario that a character is in can show you who they are. Whether these little scenarios are related directly to the main plot.... I don't think they have to be. Because showing who that character is, at that point, is the main plot. Small scenes of simple dialogue, little fights and secondary conflicts, these are all important in building up your characters and how they function with one another.

At the same time, I have done entire arcs just to develop certain characters. And that's perfectly fine. Of course, these arcs do have long lasting effects which directly move the main plot forwards, so it's all good.

 

[K5Rakitan]

Let the story develop naturally. If something in your outline doesn't feel right when you put pen to paper, ax it.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

For me, I guess I'm not thinking of how many fillers to fill my story, but every arc I have is essential to the main plot or the main goal of the protagonist and their mission/goals. So maybe big events.

Plot
-Ch/arc
-Scene

I still have figure it out the structure for my outline. I wanna keep my ideas neat so i can flip back to it. I really do need be cleaning out that jar and stack of notes haha.

 

[witch_sorrowful]

I would quote some examples here. Apologies if you haven't read them (cause I now Spoil).

In Oathbringer (Brandon Sanderson), the leadup conflict is a major point of failure for the main cast. It happens roughly at the half of the book. The important part is the failure. I think not only does it spur the story forward to where it needed to go, but it gives that added sesne of wonder and joy at the end of the Main batlle.

Another example is Avengers. The midpoint has the Avengers quarrelling after their flying airship is attacked (or something, I don't remember exactly). It shows the division and the conflict, and it works because of that particular lead up fight. When Avengers are assembled, it becomes that much more awesome to watch. Cause, now they have earned that somehow.

An example which shows why this is so imporant is Justice League (Snyder), where this doesn't happen. They are all hale and hearty, and have minor struggles, no doubt, but it isn't a full on disagreement and dispute. There is nothing.

So, point being, don't give your MC too many wins. Ensure that the L's that they take drive home a central themed conflict.

If it seems too much like a formula... it is. It works.

 

[skillet]

It's always a good plan to make the characters more endearing to the reader before you subject them to a torturous, long journey! It could make the reader more willing to stick by because they're that much more invested and like the characters that much, ahaha is this even what you're asking about

Also, if you're doing the more light-hued early chapters to create interest in the readers for the characters, you could do the build-up through a bunch of foreshadowing and slight nuances here and there. I don't know if you're doing first or third person perspective, but if third that's fairly easy to do (a bit ominous hints here and there like 'but he didn't know etc. etc.'), and even in first it's possible. Slight premonitions, if a particularly important character is introduced at first, small hints of not normal-ness, etc. Focusing on introducing the characters through fairly introductory/normal situations, you could add these foreshadowings in until you bring out the main arc to light.

...this might not be great advice though because this may make your story exponentially longer.... I'd originally planned mine to be fifty chapters max, and look where I'm at now-- chapter 80, and I just barely got started on the main arc.... and I really need to be updating in the time I write this so what's up haha :'D