Removing Ryan

I am in the process of eliminating a character from my novel. Yes, he and his subplot have to go. But something will have to replace him.

Ryan added a layer of uncertainty. Other characters couldn’t figure out who he was and what he was doing. And Ryan had his own agenda up his sleeve.

Good dialog is like a game of Clue. Players try to figure out what others know without revealing their own secrets. Taking Ryan out of the manuscript causes several players tip their hands. Too much becomes obvious.