For the past week, I’ve been trying to learn how to spice up my plot and subplots. Some tips I’ve come across that have been more helpful include:

* Put characters in stressful situations to reveal their character – J.T. is an important character, but I’ve written him very blandly. I’ve introduced a little more of his background into the story and have put him in a stressful situation in chapter 12 (coming soon). Other stressful situations will emerge as the story progresses.

* Plot needs to be presented in a series of escalating conflicts – A plot is emerging, but not strongly enough. I believe I have stressed the need to prevent a war a little mores strongly. Things will escalate more in future chapters.

* Every page needs tension and urgency – I’m still falling short on this one.

* Backstory is worked into the story, not spilled out all at once – I have a tendency to give too much information at once, so I’ve deleted and changed some parts and have hinted at things to be divulged later.

* Leave little mysteries to be revealed later – I hope I’ve done this.

There are several other tips I need to go through in order to spice up my plot. I will keep reading and learning. As you may have noticed from my commentary, I’ve done some revisions to the previous chapters on the Kavakian Empire story. I think I’m still having trouble engaging readers with a good plot and subplots, but I think I’ve made some positive changes. Please go back and read the first eleven chapters of this space opera. Be sure to leave a comment with constructive criticism.