Chekhov's sniper rifle

[Rhaps]

I noticed that I have a habit of putting a plot points and completing them, like, 20 chapters later. Is it okay to to this? Is it really worth it if I put the conclusion to a side plot so late when probably most readers already forgot about it?

 

[Empyrea]

If it's not okay then I'm screwed. I have side plots that can take over 100 chapters to conclude. I think if you put little reminders in between it should be fine... Maybe.

 

[Deleted member 19066]

I noticed that I have a habit of putting a plot points and completing them, like, 20 chapters later. Is it okay to to this? Is it really worth it if I put the conclusion to a side plot so late when probably most readers already forgot about it?

That depends, IMO stories are like waves, with ebbs and flow, if the plot point and payoff rides the wave of motion and leans on the momentum then its fine.

If it does not, and feels like the author is just throwing paint onto the wall whenever they think of doing it then no.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I noticed that I have a habit of putting a plot points and completing them, like, 20 chapters later. Is it okay to to this? Is it really worth it if I put the conclusion to a side plot so late when probably most readers already forgot about it?

Dang...Chekhov's just got upgraded. Now I need to relearn his sniper rifle.

But seriously though, some plot points needed to be answered right away, and some benefits from a long, careful build-up. You'll develop your skills in knowing which is which the more you write.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

This is normals as all stories will have minor plot points and overarching plot points. As long as they're all resolved by the end of the series or story then it's completely fine. If someone complains about it then they're either impatient or the stories pacing is probably off. I still have plot points from 4 years ago that I'm just now resolving in a manner that I feel is complete.

 

[LilRora]

20 chapters is not that long, and it's completely fine if you resolve plot points after that time. I could say it's just like in life, that something we dismiss at first because we deem it unimportant might come back to bite us in the ass years later. You can do the same in stories.

 

[Lloyd]

20 chapters is too long. Even if you release 1 chapter a day that's like a month worth of time to forget.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Depends. If your story is very long and everything that should appear will appear soon, what's the point of writing long? The G-man appears like at the end of the story at each hl game, and it's better that way

 

[georgelee5786]

It is ok

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Do you. Write the story you want to read.