Flash Challenge Fun!

[kara_gnome]

Hey, the first Flash Challenge since the site do-over is up :-). It's a different set-up and all, so leave extra time to figure it out. We send an email, get the trigger, write to the trigger for (under) 90 minutes, and then send the story in, in email. Interesting, huh? I haven't done it, yet, but wanted to mention that there was a Flash party

Comments

[sacredmime]

Oh, I'll have to jump over to LH to see the flash challenge. I was hoping it would start again soon.

With the coming-of-age story, might you know anyone in that age range, whose perspective you can borrow and whose eyes you can look out of?

Hmm, a subplot. Maybe you can think of it as a plotline for one of the secondary characters (which may or may not impact the main plot)? Which is not to say that the main character can't have a subplot...

[kara_gnome]

I'll try to get one in tomorrow :). I'm glad you mentioned it, regarding the story, as I do, actually; my youngest daughter will be perfect.

Yes, that was what threw me was the main character having a subplot. I was like, well, what the heck is a subplot, then? I thought of them as what you described first, too, and then anything the main character was involved in was more to do with the main plot.

This makes it seem as if subplots are something the main character is also involved in, as if these are sidesteps, I guess.

"Subplots can range from health conditions and financial worries to physical or mental conclusions a character must reach:..." and it goes on.

[david_de_beer]

well, I tried the trigger and am still waiting for the email. either it doesn't work or if it does I can assume I'll be DQ'd as there's no way I'm sitting in front of my PC all day waiting for it to come.

[kara_gnome]

Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good at all.

[david_de_beer]

it appears to be a gmail problem, but the mod has another solution which should hopefully help.

[kara_gnome]

Yes, I saw that, a glitch with g-mail, he thinks? Gwal's great, though, he'll fix it :)

[mmarques]

I think of sub-plots as side-plots.... other plots on the side-lines. They're often the main concern for secondary characters... or even for the antagonist. The MC is typically either not involved or peripherally involved. They add depth the the universe and characters... and can help with having characters' goals being at odds with eachother.

For example, in The Sound of Music, Liesl's romance is a sub-plot.

[kara_gnome]

It's interesting to think of them like that. I've been very weak with secondary characters, making them interact too much with the main character, and it all becomes too much. Giving them another concern makes sense; they're part of their own show, after all. It's odd to think of it like this, though, like I'm thinking of more than one track or story for the same book, and trying to fit them in.

[mmarques]

My problem with subplots and back story is that either I am trying too much to weave it into the main plot... or I am not revealing enough about the subplot / backstory (or both!)

[kara_gnome]

:) That's me, too. Or the thing that started out being this cute little add-on develops delusions of novel takeover!

It's a party, that's for sure!