Sharaz Jek

In a series I'm writing, I decided to divide a story arc into two branches, each taking place in the same world at roughly the same time, but of course with two different characters who are separated. The thing is, I was writing the second and third novels in this fashion, making them cover two entirely different events and hoping to draw them together in the fourth. It's kind of in the style of some comic book arcs: same universe, roughly same time, but separate. A Song of Ice and Fire does something similar, but if I put it all in one book, it would probably be at least a good couple of thousand pages, and if I cut that down, each book would lack a climax. (I'm trying to give each an individual arc.)

My question is, can anyone give me some advice to interweave the two? Could anyone bear to read a book like this? I want it to go as smoothly as possible, and could use any advice. I know I've set a monumental task before me, but I've had about ten years of practice, so I'm just about as ready as I'll ever be. Besides, the way I've always seen things, I could die at any time, so I want to fulfill my every goal before then.

Kitten Courna

I think I know what you're talking about, but to me it doesn't seem like any terrifically great task. Two characters, same world, different places, tie together in the last novel, right? If the two characters do not start out together, then what you have is something like an Ender's Game thing, a parallel novel, only hopefully with entirely original tie in at the end. If that's the case, just proceed with the separate novels thing. If the two character start off together, get separated, have lengthy adventures entirely separate from one another, then meet up again much later, then I suggest doing something like Tad Williams did in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn 'trilogy', which is simply keep them in the same novel, and just have the events important to each separate story line happen in chunks. If you balance it fairly equally, then you have a good chance of maintaining the importance of each story. It does lead to some lengthy books, but the format gives the reader a chance to take it in small doses if necessary. Now, if they start out separately, and meet in some grand conclusion, then treat them as separate series. that's only if each storyline is fit for its own novel though.

Anyway, from what I understood, I don't think this will be too much of a challenge for you. Just work the story the way you can. And if all else fails, just write it, and fool with editing later. Don't get too concerned with format before you've gotten in stride with the story itself.

Good luck

-Kitten

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Cadmus: Poor child, like a white swan warding its weak old father, why do you clasp those white arms about my neck?
Euripides; 'The Bacchae'