The main plot and each subplot separately, treating each subplot as a separate, Was researching tis topic, I discover that some writers plot (at a high level) The function it performs require a subplot or could it b handled more Questions will it raise and/or answer for your protagonists and their goals.Īlso make certain the subplot is necessary. How will it relate to and enhance your main plot. Main plot line slows or lags, introducing or returning to a subplot can propel Maintain the momentum and page turning aspect as much as possible. Any of these methods can work as long as it does its job of enhancingĪnd ending your subplots are important to the pacing of your story. It can run parallel to it, weave in and out of it or be plopped in in oneĬhunk. Mini-story in its own right with an arc of its own – it should have a Subplot that is going to arc over several books in a series. Your subplot threads before the main plot. There should never beĪny confusion as to which is the main plot and you will want to wrap up all of Sole purpose is to enhance some aspect of the main plot. Remember is that the subplot is just that – subordinate to the main plot. These subplots reveal additional attributes of your story’s protagonists. Overall tone of the story needs to be carefully considered when deciding if Take care when crafting this type of subplot – the timing, genre and This is a subplot that is intended to lighten the mood and give the reader aĬhance to smile or take a breath from whatever is happening in the main Great way to keep the tension and conflict high and the reader turning the Subplots that get in the way of your protagonists achieving their goals are a Your subplotĬould illustrate the consequences, positive and/or negative, of those choices. While his brother chose to head to college across the country. Protagonist might have chosen to go into the family business after high school, The opposite of Mirror Subplots, these show what happens when a secondaryĬharacter makes different choices than your main character. Graphically illustrates the kind of stakes the protagonist is facing If his neighbor has his home burned to the ground, that Perhaps you have a protagonist who is standing up to a corrupt land developerĪs is his neighbor. These are subplots that are similar to or ‘mirror’ some aspect of the If you’re writing any other genre, adding a love interest for your protagonistĪs a subplot can add interest and complications to your main plot This is often seen in Hallmark movies, the heroine’s best friendįinds love while the main characters are still dancing around the issue. If you’re writing a romance, you can add a secondary romance between SecondaryĬharacters. Main plotline can benefit from having a subplot or two, for all the reasons Writing, the truth is that even stories that manage to stand alone with one Your subplot's reason for existence even stronger.Īs for longer works, while there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to You can make one subplot perform two or more of these functions it will make Temporarily detour, delay or change your protagonists' goals Versa, providing your reader with a breather between high octane scenes or add a reminder of the stakes in quieter moments Pace of your story, inserting lighter moments into a tense main plot or vice They can help bring in beloved characters from previous books, or introduceĬharacters that will appear in future books.įrom other genres with a touch of mystery, they can introduce red herrings or Without your story feeling padded or episodic.Ĭharacterization by allowing the reader to see your protagonist through another Plots can help show that interaction for your protagonists. More than one thing going on in their lives and more than one person/team of After all, people don’t live in a vacuum, they have In some cases they can addĬritical information your protagonists in the main story thread may be unaware They do this by adding conflict, romance, tragedy, mystery, tension,Īdditional worldbuilding and other elements. Story and/or character arcs that support and enhance your main story line byĪdding texture, context, complexity and richness to it.Įffectively, add additional depth, texture, richness and dimension to your But whatever you call them, they are minor Of the story of a book or play that develops separately from the main story” Some call it the B Story, the minor Today I wanted to talkĪccording to the Cambridge dictionary a subplot is “a part
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |