Plot vs. Character

I got a problem.

I got a lot of plot.

Where the first book clocked in right around 100K words, the second one is just getting going good and it's already at 29K. I'll be lucky to keep this under 150K and there's a danger of it soaring above 200K.

My problem is a bit structural. As I wrote in earlier posts, I'm trying to align the books in this series with the division of the three dramatic acts of the story. By nature, this would tend to make the second book the longest since that's always the case with the Second Act.

I've got a lot of plot to cover but I don't want the word count to soar out of control. Now I can keep the word count low if just mechanically get through the plot as quickly as I can. But I don't really want to do that.

There's always a balancing act that must be performed juggling the needs of plot and characterization. If all I do is crank out a plot description then I don't think the readers are going to stick with me. I can't be afraid to spend a few extra words-- or paragraphs-- on fleshing out the characters.

There is a need to allow readers into the heads of certain characters, or to take the time to explain a bit of backstory or description of a character. For the characters to come alive on the page they each need their own personality, their own voice. I've got to find those things then allow them the space to express themselves.

But I got a lot of plot.

If I'm not careful, the final word count could prove to be way too big.

And to make matters worse, I keep coming up with new characters. For example, I decided that I needed a naval warship and crew to serve as the hook, the reader's POV, for all of the naval action that will be depicted in the book. So next thing you know, I've spent two pages introducing a ship's captain, first mate and helmsman; including a history for each of them so readers feel like they know them.

Now think about it: I spent ten years thinking about the characters and plot of the first book, but I just came up with all of these guys an hour ago. So now, perhaps, you can see why the writing on this second book is taking so much longer.

Then again, when the plot picks up later in the book and it's in the thick of a bunch of naval battles, the time spent early on investing in these characters will (hopefully) cause the reader to care more about what happens.

Word count vs. reader investment.

Plot vs. Character.

I'm going to need an editor.