I suppose, there is a sweet-spot somewhere between complex and simple that allows the story to unfurl easily while still keeping the reader’s attention captivated.
I’ve read enough books recently to know that too simple is boring, books full of pointless description because the author can’t think of what he or she wants the character to do. Or books in which the action never stops, because the author can’t ascribe motives and internal pressures to the characters.
On the other hand you have complex and unnecessarily complicated stories, with so many characters that you can’t keep track of them and get lost. They are added in because the author claims they are essential to the plot, while in reality they are there merely to show how clever the author is; being able to handle so many diverse actors.
I’m aiming for that sweet-spot. Not quite sure yet if I’m going to hit it. I guess that’s what makes the whole process so interesting, challenging and ultimately, exciting.
Here’s hoping.
Just for the record, current word-count in Dark Roads is 45340.