Constructing an engaging story with characters that are likeable or interesting is a challenge in of itself, but writing a story with multiple moving and complex parts can be an incredible challenge. The 5D (five dimensional) storyline, as I like to call it, is a story with multiple plot threads happening all at once that are interconnected and dependent on each other that feels carefully planned by the characters. I call it this to reference the meme of playing 5D Chess because of how complex the relationships between each group within the story can be and how they interfere with each other.
When it reads as though it was carefully planned and orchestrated by one of the opposing parties, it can feel like a carefully played game of chess. But the risk with these kinds of stories is that it’s very easy to find yourself writing a convoluted mess. There are so many moving parts that it can be difficult for the audience to keep track of what’s happening or, even worse, having the interference of the opposing parties feel like random occurrences to push the story forward. The risk is that it becomes a much less fluid story as there are only a few paths that would make sense. It can be difficult, but pulled off well and it becomes one of the most engaging and intriguing stories out there.
With the challenge of multiple factions vying for power and their own goals, it’s important to have the motivations for each be different and compelling enough to justify their unique approaches to the story. The Legacy of Yangchen by F.C. Lee is a good example of each of the various factions are working towards their own goals and in direct conflict with each other. Yangchen wants to protect the people and stop the four nations from falling into conflict with one another. The White Lotus wants control over the four nations to operate more effectively in the shadows to keep the peace. Chaisee wants power over the shang cities to secure a comfortable life for her and her family by having a monopoly on power. In pursuing their goals, each faction ends up directly colliding and interfering with one another. Since the point of view characters are Yangchen and Kavik, we primarily see the plotting and scheming of Yangchen and the White Lotus and how they directly interfere with one another. Chaisee’s strategies are a mystery to the reader so whenever her plotting interferes with Yangchen, it needs to have a proper set up to feel believable which, without any major spoilers, does seem to work quite well. To simplify it, for a 5D storyline to function well, each party needs to interfere with the protagonist’s plans and force them to be reactive when they are trying to be proactive.
To write a 5D storyline effectively, it often requires multiple parties to develop their own plotlines which can be very difficult through a singular perspective. That’s often why having multiple perspectives throughout the story can make the developing plot lines easier to convey to the reader. It also allows for the reader to have an almost near omniscient view of the events so when one faction’s plans are interfered with by another, the audience is acutely aware as to why it happened and the risk of random chance is greatly reduced. My personal favorite example of this is the Il Siracusano event from Arknights as the story perspective jumps from character to character and develops the plot through character driven logic. Even though Texas (absolute best girl) is the protagonist of the story, she takes on a more reactive role as the other characters are actively trying to thwart each other as they vow for power. But it’s clear some characters have hidden agendas, hidden to even the viewers, but most importantly is that the reveals of these plans directly interfere with the other plots
There are various approaches to writing a 5D storyline and it often depends on the genre the story is being written for. There’s always a bit of a danger with certain genres as the resolution for the plot can feel unearned depending on the approach. For instance, in a story with a character possessing incredible and almost godlike power, an author can run into the problem of “well why don’t they just punch the problem?” Chronicles of the Avatar by F.C. Yee does a good job addressing this by always making it clear that the avatar needs to be a symbol of unity between the four nations as well as the spirits. It stops Yangchen, despite the anger she feels, from dealing with her opponents with brute force. Forcing limitations on the protagonist and demanding they deal with others on an equal footing can create moments of tension as they can’t rely on their powers anymore to simply smash their way to victory. That is, until absolute victory or the closest approximation to absolute victory is within grasp. Then the protagonist can let loose and the author can capture that feeling of catharsis that readers love so much.
The 5D storyline is a complex plot structure but makes for a very engaging story when pulled off correctly. It just requires very careful steps to get that set up correctly for a cohesive and engaging storyline. But when pulled off correctly, it can be one of the most exciting and engaging stories a writer can create.
– Raphael
Raph's Cozy Musings 