I write with threads. I take separate storylines, split them into threads and weave them together into chapters – it’s my style – While I acknowledge that from a reader’s perspective, it’s sometimes hard to jump from one set of characters to another (especially at the beginning of the book and particularly if that beginning was lengthy enough to have a reader want to settle in to stay), there are huge benefits to writing with threads.

First of all, that first jump can be handled in a way that makes it easier. Usually, for me as a reader, the first time it happens and I’m tossed out into some other scene, I admit, I don’t want to go there. If that first segment is short, however, it’s not so bad. First of all, I haven’t invested too much as yet to not want to move on, it’s more intriguing than frustrating. Second, the jump announces that this is the formula, that jumping from one group of characters to another is what to expect. That way there are no surprises.

So… okay, some people don’t like when it a story is woven with threads. They want a story to unfold with one character and to stay with that character, and that’s fair enough. It’s a style thing.

Advantages of running with threads are many. It keeps the pace up. You can ditch all the boring bits, such as when a character is forced to wait for something, or otherwise has time to fill, and jump from action scene to action scene. Balanced right, you can keep reader interest up: “NOW what’s going to happen? Can’t wait to find out!”

Other reasons why I like working with threads are plentiful.

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