Writing Subplots

What is a Subplot?
As you’re writing your story, you may start to notice your plot going in a different direction than you originally planned. Typically, your story is never just about your protagonist taking on a horde of dragons, character A falling in love with character B, the chosen one saving the world, or any other epic journey you’ve conjured up. A subplot is, by definition, a “secondary strand of the plot that is a supporting side story for any story or the main plot” (Wikipedia).

There are often multiple conflicts that your protagonist is trying to deal with. Maybe while the star football player is struggling to get into college, he’s also falling for someone on the team. The princess might be trapped in a tower, but she could also be trying to unravel a royal scheme. Most well-written and well-thought-out plots also come with amazing subplots to keep the story interesting and your readers engaged.

​What Does a Subplot Do?
If you’re a first-time writer, you may think a subplot is something completely separate from the main plot, but that’s not the case. You’re not telling two different stories. If a subplot doesn’t connect to the main storyline and themes, then it’s not accomplishing its goal. Your subplot should be seamlessly woven into your main plot to communicate your theme and ideas.

Think of the Harry Potter series, which does a great job interweaving subplots in each book. In Sorcerer’s Stone, we follow the main plot of Harry Potter discovering he’s a wizard and stopping Voldemort’s return by finding the stone. But we also follow several subplots, such as his blossoming friendship with Ron and Hermione, Hagrid and his dragon, and Harry’s growing animosity with Malfoy—all of which contribute to introducing the wizarding world.

To test if your subplot is strong enough, try removing it from your story. If the main plot, characters, and themes are unaffected, then the subplot needs work to have more of an impact. If that’s the case, see if the subplot’s motivations align with your characters since they’re the ones driving the story.

Types of Subplots
These three types of subplots are good to keep in mind when you’re outlining so that you can see how your subplots affect the larger plot. This will help you plan scenes better, help you see your characters’ behavior grow and change, and solidify the themes you want to convey. 

• Servicing: the subplot directly impacts or complicates the main plot 
• Enhancing: the subplot clarifies the stakes of the main plot 
• Contrasting: the subplot works against the goals of the main plot, but in doing so illuminates the values of the main plot

Ways to Introduce a Subplot 

• Develop characters: If your character is only seen fighting the antagonist or blowing up buildings, things can get boring fast. Give your character another issue to work through to highlight their personality. Problems in their romantic lives, fights with close friends, disagreements with parents, or internal struggles are all great ways to create a subplot. In turn, once they’ve developed as a character, they have what they need to resolve the main plot. 
• Narrative arcs & structure: Your story has a beginning, middle, and end. It contains characterization, themes, and plot points. These create a narrative or story arc. Subplots should have their own arcs that blend into the main arc. The best time to introduce the first subplot is at the beginning of Act II. After introducing your readers to the character’s struggles in Act I, you can set the subplot in motion in Act II. This is because Act II is typically when the protagonist sets off solving the main plot.

Does your Subplot Elevate Your Story? (A checklist)
-Does the subplot seamlessly weave into the main plot?
-Does it develop the characters?
-Does it follow/enhance your story structure?
-Does it play a role in your climax?
​

Skylar Nitzel

is an avid reader and passionate writer from Colorado. She studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Denver and graduated in 2021. She has worked with the Denver Quarterly literary journal, written for the DU Clarion, and currently works with Spring Cedars Publishing.