All the series authors who lose my interest have lost sight of a fundamental writing principle: the writer gets the best effect by putting into the story the things that need to be in that particular story... and only those things. Subplots aren’t independent stories that have been dropped into the main story; they support, compare, and contrast to the main plot, enriching it. That is why they are called subplots. Unless the story takes place in one of those tiny “Population: 6” hamlets, the writer is not going to include every person in town as a character in the story, even though many of the folks offstage may be fascinating people. This kind of restraint is just as useful when applied to one’s imaginary characters and worldbuilding as it is when applied to real-world people and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
— P.C. Wrede, Series flaws
"No, no- if you do this, the AI is gonna get you so far away from America. Like, you guys are gonna be on one story way the fuck out here and I'm gonna be down here, fighting for Utah. You gotta stick to America!"
