Recently, I heard a couple of different people talk about simplicity in writing.
The first time, I heard two authors at an event I was attending, talk about another author’s books. The books are very successful. “But—they’re so simple!” said one author. “The plots aren’t complex at all—the stories are just so basic!”
The other author agreed. They’d both worked hard on complicated plotlines with twists and turns and surprises and were amazed that a very simple plot was working so well for readers.
Then, last week, a local movie reviewer came on a radio show to talk about good horror movies to rent for Halloween. His pick wasn’t some of the bigger budget horror films, but a movie called “Frozen,” which had had a limited theatrical release when it had come out earlier this year, but has apparently started to gain a following.
The movie’s plot, said the critic, is very simple. It involves snowboarders who get stuck on a ski lift—and, no one knows they’re up there or will know because the resort closes during the week.
And there’s a snowstorm, frostbite, extreme cold, scary heights—and wolves.
Very simple. But effective…maybe because it’s believable?
My plots aren’t really that simple—there are plenty of red herrings alongside clues, suspects tell lies (and tell the truth and it’s hard to tell which is which), and there are multiple possibilities for the mystery’s solution.
But at the same time, I try not to make it too complicated—after all, this is supposed to be fun.
I think my question is this: why does simplicity work with some plots and are there times when it doesn’t work as well as others? How complex or simple are your own plots?
I’m thinking of a show on HBO we watched about three couples who went sailing and decided to go swimming in the ocen far away from land. Trouble was, nobody remembered to lower the ladder. Simple, kinda cheesy, but a pretty darn good flick.
I like my plots kinda complex yet simple. Too much complexity looses people. Keep it simple, at least for some sections of the story.
Stephen Tremp
The plot itself is only one of the things that can make a story attractive to readers. For instance a simple plot in combination with deep character development, or an exotic setting may work for me >:)
Cold As Heaven
Elizabeth – Interesting question! I think simplicity works in some plots because if the plot is strong and believable enough, readers get caught up in it. I think more complicated plots work well if they also make sense and if the complexities are related to the plot. In general, I don’t think readers want to feel as though they’re lost (i.e. with no direction or way out) in a book.
Simple and to the point. I sort of get tired and bored if I have to keep track of complicated plots unless it is so well written that all is clear from beginning to end and I don’t have to shuffle back through to keep up. Whew…that seemed too complicated for an answer.
When reading a book or watching a movie, a happy medium is what I look for. I don’t want the plot too simple but at the same time I don’t want it so complicated you have to have a playbook to keep up with the characters and the plots. A simple plot with a few twists and turns, a surprise here and there makes for good reading and movie watching for me.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
I like a plot that strikes a balance between being so simplistic that it is boring, and being so complicated that you struggle to keep up.
And a good mystery can have a very simple plot, but there have to be twists and turns to justify the entire number of pages.
I think too many twists and turns in a book won’t work as well as in a movie–which is a two-hour experience. A reader may spend days or longer on a book (although we like it when they can’t put it down). Just this morning, I was thinking about a book I just finished, and I’d already forgotten which character had kidnapped the protagonist because there was so much going on.
Complex characters — yes. Plots – maybe not so much. Or maybe complex is OK, but convoluted is OTT.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I’m a middle of the road person on this, too. I want enough twists and turns to keep me guessing but if things get too convoluted it pulls me out of the story.
Judging from the reviews so far, my book is simple in plot and style, but the complexity lies in the characters.
I think sometimes readers just want something fun and easy.
if it is well written I don’t care how simple it is. Mrs. Dalloway has no real plot yet it is beautiful. In a mystery I like complex…
It’s the balance between simple and complicated I try to find in my writing. And it is with this balance that i struggle most of all.
Simple works if there is a twist–the ending is still slightly unexpected, either in action or in result. Complicated works if it is presented well and simply (if that makes sense). I mean: if the plot is complicated, perhaps the writing shouldn’t be, etc.
Perfect balance. Aren’t we all striving for that?
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
Sometimes, too many twists can be a bad thing; I know as a reader I can get frustrated when I don’t know what’s going on. On the other hand, though, I don’t like it when it’s too simple; I don’t like being able to guess the end five pages in.
It can be a tricky high-wire balancing act!
If things are too complicated, you lose readers, except perhaps for those who tend to take notes and create diagrams of the plot. (And some books almost require that!) But too simple and you lose readers.
I have no clue. But I’d love to figure that out!
Interesting post and very topical in my life…I was talking with a girlfriend about books and films (movies), recently. She said to me “write something simple. My life is complicated enough without struggling through books and movies. I like to relax over a read and find a twist, not unravel”.
Makes one wonder if simple is the way to go.
I write simple with a twist.
I think a simple plot only works if your readers are willing to accept it. Certain readers, and certain genres just don’t allow for it.
I like that, simple and realistic, something that we can all grasp. That does not mean dull, or that the characters aren’t complex. It seems like I’m drawn to that type of story in my writing.
Perhaps if the characters are complex, the plot can be simpler. I think if a plot is too complex, it makes it difficult to follow.
I think simple, elegantly told, can be good, but I prefer it for something literary (think of The Alchemist–a book I tend to give people facing a personal crisis that’s plot can be summed up with this: Sometimes where you are going is where you started, but you need to have made the journey to see it.)
For MOVIES though? totally doesn’t work for me. Sounds a lot like Open Water which bored me on about 30 levels.
And in books… I gotta say, more often I prefer something a little complext, BUT still elegant–3 or 4 different things all suddenly at the end TIED because of some common thing–so it SEEMS complex, but in the end, there is an ‘aha!’
I’m sure my work is simple.
I think it comes down to the masses – what do they want?
Stephen–That’s as basic as it goes, but the audience could believe it–and the excitement of the movie came naturally.
Cold As Heaven–That’s a good point, too. Maybe simple in EVERY way doesn’t work–there should be something really interesting to pull in the reader–whether that’s a character or a setting, etc.
Rayna–It does have to twist and turn a little. Also, to keep the reader from guessing the murderer too early in the book. :)
Linda–It’s a tough balance, I think.
Alex–I love complex characters. Complex plots? Sometimes not so much.
Jan–Good point–beautifully written can compensate for a lot!
Margot–So maybe giving the readers little guideposts if the plot is really complex–like reminders on characters’ relationships to each other, etc. I think that’s a good idea.
Teresa–I understood it perfectly, though! :)
Mason–I like that, too. Especially with movies, lately. If I have to lean over and ask my husband what’s going on, then I feel like there’s just WAY too much plot.
Terry–Right! Once in a while I’ve read a mystery (usually a thriller or police procedural) and when the killer was revealed, I couldn’t remember who the character was! Not a good thing. There’d just been so much going on in the story.
Helen–Whenever I open a book that has a map or a family tree I *know* I’ve got to put it aside for whenever I have a little more time!
Glynis–I think, like your friend, lots of readers are looking for a fun *escape*. Life is complicated…maybe most readers aren’t looking for complicated in their books, too.
Michele–It IS hard. And sometimes I think complex means a better book…but readers might not agree. And, honestly, a lot of these simpler stories are doing really, really well.
You make a good point. So if we write flowery prose or in a wordy style that’s convuluted, maybe the plot should be simple…or vice versa.
Heather–That’s true. A simple political thriller really just wouldn’t work.
Elspeth–That IS tough. Too simple and we risk boring the reader, too complicated and they get frustrated with it.
Mary–I think I’m with you on that–I like the *characters* sometimes to be more complex than the plot is.
Jane–I’m one of those readers who *does* get confused! I think it’s because I no longer have long, uninterrupted periods of time to read in.
Hart–I like that idea. Sort of like “The Wizard of OZ” where Dorothy *always* had the power to get back to Kansas–but she *needed* to go through the journey to appreciate it all better.
I love those “aha!” moments, too–where everything ties together neatly. And you’re right–it can make the book seem more complex than maybe it actually seemed through the initial reading.
Kristen–Me too! :)
Diane–And that’s really the most important question, isn’t it? What do readers want?
My plots are fairly elaborate, but there is definitely merit in ensuring that the book as a whole has appeal at a straightforward and accessible level. As a great lyricist once said, it’s easy to be complex, writing something simple and memorable is harder!
Martin–That’s a great quote! I think that for something to be simple but something that readers or an audience is *excited* about, that it definitely takes some work. And good point about keeping the novel accessible–that’s something we definitely want to do.
I’ve worked hard to make mine more complicated but this argument might work for me. Why not simple if they work?
So funny you mentioned Frozen. The other day I was at Redbox and a girl was there returning that movie. She said to me, “Do you like scary movies?” which started us talking. She raved about the movie saying nearly exactly what you said. I am not a big scary movie fan but I might have to check this movie out.
Terri–Sometimes I wonder if I’m just overthinking it all!
Marybeth–Apparently it’s about to become a cult classic! Because it wasn’t a big release or anything. I’m thinking I might have to check it out, too.