#subplot

♡ they meet and immediately like each other (goodbye conflict, we barely knew you)

♡ the only thing keeping them apart is a misunderstanding that one conversation would fix

♡ both characters describe the other as "beautiful" within three pages of meeting

♡ their chemistry is told not shown (the narrator insists they have spark. they don't.)

♡ the love interest has no personality outside of loving the protagonist

♡ they argue once, make up immediately, never argue again

♡ obstacles are external. they always agree with each other about everything.

♡ the rival love interest exists for two chapters then vanishes without explanation

♡ they almost kiss. something interrupts. this happens four times. on the fifth time they kiss. the end.

♡ the love interest is described as funny, clever, and kind. we see none of this.

♡ their big emotional moment is in the rain. it is always in the rain.

♡ the breakup lasts exactly one chapter before they reconcile

♡ "i've never felt this way before" said by someone with no prior emotional history

♡ both confess feelings at the same time. no awkwardness. no stakes. just synchronized emotion.

♡ their first kiss is perfect. no bumped noses. no wrong angle. cinematic and frictionless.

♡ jealousy subplot introduced and dropped without consequence

♡ they have one shared interest and it is the plot

♡ trauma bonding mistaken for romantic chemistry (these are different things)

♡ the side characters ship them loudly. this is not a substitute for actual tension.

♡ one of them dies temporarily. other is devastated. they come back. no lasting emotional damage.

♡ they end up together because the plot ends, not because they chose each other

Subplot - a side story that runs parallel to the main plot.

It has a secondary strand of characters and events that can infuse important information into the main storyline.

Also known as a minor story, a subplot creates a richer, more complex narrative arc in novel writing and other storytelling mediums.

When crafting a narrative, a writer’s job is to create a compelling story.

One way to do that is through subplots—secondary storylines found in novels, plays, television shows, and movies.

In creative writing, a subplot can reveal more about secondary characters, create plot twists, and add another dimension to a story.

Most importantly, a good subplot raises the stakes for a main character.

An Example: Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare weaves several subplots throughout this tragic love story.

The backstory of the long-running feud between rival families, the Capulets and Montagues, creates the central conflict in the play—two young lovers from warring families desperate to find a way to be together.

The subplots involving the warring families create dramatic plot points that escalate the tension, like when Romeo’s best friend Mercutio is killed by Juliet’s cousin Tybalt.

4 Types of Subplots

When coming up with writing ideas to enhance your main plot, think of using one or more subplots. These could include any of the following:

Mirror subplot: A smaller-scale conflict mirrors the main character’s in order to teach them a valuable lesson or illuminate how to resolve the conflict.

Contrasting subplot: A secondary character faces similar circumstances and dilemmas as the main character but makes different decisions with the opposite outcome.

Complicating subplot: A secondary character makes matters worse for the main character.

Romantic subplot: The main character has a love interest, and this relationship complicates the main plot.

6 Tips for Writing Better Subplots

When you’re writing a book, always brainstorm the best subplot ideas that can deepen the tension and make your main character’s scenario more complex.

Try these tips when you craft your next narrative:

Ensure that your subplots play second fiddle.

A subplot exists to support your main storyline but should never overpower it.

Subplots should end before the main plot.

The exception to this rule is a romantic subplot, which often concludes in the final scene.

Give your subplots a narrative arc.

Subplots are stories, too.

Create a narrative framework for each, though on a smaller scale than your main plot.

Use this technique to tell a supporting character’s story that affects the protagonist’s actions.

You might even incorporate flashbacks as a subplot, mirroring a character’s journey with something that happened in their earlier days, like high school.

Write character-driven subplots.

Just like your main story, characters should drive the action in a subplot.

Create foils that can highlight qualities in your main character.

These characters will either help or hinder the protagonist in the story.

Try a new POV.

Your subplot might provide information that your main character is unaware of.

If your main plot is told in first person, try changing the point of view in the subplot to third person.

Figure out how to connect the subplot and the main plot.

There are numerous ways to use subplots.

A parallel subplot runs throughout the entirety of the story, showing different sides of the same plot.

This builds suspense as the reader waits for the two plots to collide (think The Fugitive).

You can also write small, isolated subplots.

Briefly introduce a character who drops in early on, then revisit their journey near the end of the story to shed light on the deeper meaning of your main plot.

Ramp up the tension with a subplot.

Propel your main story with information revealed in your side stories.

Subplots are a strong medium for foreshadowing events, so use them to drop hints and clues.

Let’s get one thing straight: if your story’s a tree, than the subplot is a branch. It’s the unexpected limb that sticks out there the whole time. You just didn’t see it because of all the leaves, which are like the details of your narrative. If you’re writing fiction and you want your book to be a bestseller, you need to master the art of the subplot. So, what’s a subplot? A simple definition…

I've written 75% of my novel, but it has a medium-sized cast with quite a few subplots. For a satisfying ending, what do I prioritize for the final act/conclusion, and what details could I afford to skip or leave out? How should I order them and distribute the screen time? Thanks in advance!

I’m so glad that there are writers out there who have too many subplots! There are infinite ideas available to you at any time, so it’s hard to streamline all those ideas down into a single, cohesive whole.

Managing multiple subplots can feel like juggling while walking a tightrope. You want to give each storyline its time to shine without overwhelming your readers or overshadowing your primary plot. So how can you do that?

Understanding subplots

Not all subplots are created equal, but they still need to have some tie to your main story. A lot of writers confuse backstory and worldbuilding with subplots. A departure from the main narrative doesn’t necessarily make it a subplot, so when writing them, make sure to consider their relationship to these core elements:

Your main character’s primary arc.

Your story’s central conflict.

Your novel’s core theme.

Character relationships that drive the main plot.

World-building elements that affect the conclusion.

An effective subplot should have one of these elements to directly tie it to your story’s goals. And it’s really important that you don’t have too many. Too many subplots lead to reader fatigue or confusion, so make sure that your subplot quantity matches your genre. For instance, having a large number of subplots in a multi-book epic fantasy series is much more expected than having that many in a single-book romantic comedy.

Is this really a subplot?

I know it’s not something you probably want to hear, but it’s important to at least ask yourself if every subplot is relevant (or if it’s even a subplot at all). It’s easy to fall into the trap of creating what you think is a subplot when some simple worldbuilding would suffice, or trying to include a subplot that would work better as a story on its own. So, if you’re including a subplot, always ask yourself if it’s relevant and makes the current story you’re writing better.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What function does this subplot serve?

Could this information be conveyed through simpler means?

Do any of these subplots play the same role? And if so, could they be combined?

Does it develop character, advance the plot, or enhance themes in a way that couldn’t be achieved otherwise?

How deeply is this subplot woven into your main story?

Would removing it create plot holes or leave character development feeling incomplete?

Does it intersect with other important subplots in meaningful ways?

Will readers miss this subplot if it’s gone?

Does it provide emotional or intellectual satisfaction?

Does it add depth to the reading experience or just complexity?

Could this be a story on its own?

Sometimes what feels like a crucial subplot might actually be better served as background information, a brief scene for flavour, or a completely separate plot from the one you’re writing. Don’t be afraid to demote a subplot to a smaller role if it’s not pulling its weight in the larger narrative or cut it out completely to use in a future project!

How to prioritise your subplots

Once you’ve decided on which subplots are relevant and that you know you want to keep, you’re ready to prioritise them.

1. Map the connections

Start by creating a simple diagram or list showing how each subplot connects to your main story. Ask yourself:

Does this subplot affect the protagonist’s final decision or growth?

Will the resolution of this subplot change the outcome of the main conflict?

Does this storyline reinforce or challenge the story’s central theme?

The more connections a subplot has to these elements, the higher the priority it should receive.

2. Identify emotional investment

Consider which subplots have garnered the most emotional investment from readers. You might even want to enlist the help of beta readers after you’ve completed your first draft for this.

Which secondary characters have received the most development?

What storylines have created the most tension?

Which plot threads have raised significant questions that readers will want answered?

3. Look for natural conclusions

Most subplots will reach a natural conclusion before the final act. A good example of this might be a romance arc which will resolve to bring the characters together to face the final antagonist. If a subplot has already achieved its purpose (developing a character, revealing important information, or creating necessary conflict to enhance the theme), then it’s time to resolve it.

Fundamentally, there isn’t a single best way to resolve or distribute your subplots in the final act. You’ll need to be guided by your specific circumstances and what your narrative needs. But the rule of thumb is definitely to have all subplots resolved before you get to the story’s climax. You want your main plot to be the thing that drives the ending, and not have it overshadowed by unresolved subplots.

Making the hard choices

When managing multiple subplots, remember that less is often more. Each subplot should earn its place in your story by deepening your themes, developing your characters, or advancing your main plot. Don’t be afraid to combine similar subplots, demote them, or set them aside completely. “Screen time” should be determined by how essential to the plot a specific subplot is. If you’re writing a romance-forward fantasy novel, for instance, the relationship development would have more time. But if you’re writing a fantasy novel with an element of romance, you might choose to give it less space.