How to Write a Subplot

This is a helpful article for writers starting out Bill and I always love reading your how to's for writers. Unfortunately they don't pertain to craft & recipe writing so much, unless I want to talk about the details of a recipe ingredient LOL! All joking aside, your articles are always so helpful.

Good advice - I agree with not confusing the reader. If the sub plot doesn't affect the outcome of the main plot or develop characteristics of the main character(s), remove it - or write a whole new novel on it perhaps!

My daughter likes reading and writing. I'll pass your tips along to her. : )

I think your advice on making sure the subplot adds to main plot is most important when developing character. Thanks for the tip and advice.

Bill, what a brave man you are to take on such a murky and confusing topic! KISS! YES!

Upped and shared! ;D

So interesting Bill and of course you are right. That is exactly what is wrong in many books to put me off when it starts going in too many directions! I am sure the author brings it altogether in the end but unless they are a very gifted writer indeed; most won't wait around to see! I imagine a good writer just slips these in gracefully and smoothly; one off another to avoid the jerky feeling in some books that makes you go, "huh?" and start not even caring, lol.

You are a great teacher, friend; and give us much to think about to help us grow. To judge our own work as we do others.

Great explanation, Billy. The subplot is the spokes to the wheel.

This is a very helpful tutorial. Thanks. Now, to work.

Excellent advice and some great tips on the importance of subplots and how they have to be written.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for sharing more amazing tips, Bill!

I appreciate this. The subplot even in movies usually get my attention. When its well done, the whole story is easier to follow. BTW, Resurrecting Tobias is on my To Do List when I get back to the States, God Willing. Thanks for demonstrating what you teach.

A great hub about subplots. The checklist that you have provided is very useful. Thank you for sharing.

This is good information, as always, Bill. Subplots can be very interesting. You've given us some important guidelines for creating them.

Another excellent writing resource. Will definitely revisit this one later. Shared it on for you. :)

Hi Bill,

Thanks for sharing your great insight here as to subplots. Subplots, if done right, add great depth to any story and not all writers are able to pull it together, but those who do are the brilliant writers.

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend.

Peace and blessings always

Billy: Thanks for the brief answer. I thought that's what you'd say.

Bill, more great information. In my story, I have a few strong characters, the two main ones will eventually come together in an explosive end, I hope so anyway. I've written the most significant subplot in italic, as the events are taking place at a different place and time but directly relates to the main characters so there; I've already broken one of the rules. :) But hey...I'm writing again and as always you re a great help. Take care and my best to you.

Yes, if woven well, they add depth to the story. Otherwise, it's a straight, flat line in many ways. Yet, it mustn't become so convoluted that it kills the story too! Takes a lot of skill!

This was useful information, and I like the checklist of what to include. Great topic!

I never thought about subplots, now I will. Thank's again for all you do..

Great hub from as always I learn best from your informative and well-explained details.

Great advice. I'd like to see more hubs like this!

subplots are very difficult for me it is the main reason I stick to quick fiction.. but this hub et al.. very helpful thanks billy

Hi Bill. Every day you educate us a little more. Eventually it all adds up to the equivalent of getting an education in how to write. You know you could teach a night course in writing. I'm willing to bet it would be a very popular class. Thanks for the education, and have a great weekend.

Currently reading your book. I love Pete. As to subplots, this is very helpful. I am practicing a little fiction writing with short stories, and last night I did a flash fiction story. It was hard to make a significant powerful story in 150 words, but I really enjoyed the challenge. Maybe one day soon an attempt at a book.

Thank you. A good and valuable learning lesson for me. Very much appreciated.

I always learn something new from your writing lessons, this time on having subplots characters. I never knew the term, but unknowingly I do have several in my novels. So much so that I have a cast of characters and a genealogy page at the back of each novel. Before my novels were born the cast of characters came first, and each play a part in the plot. You have my vote as always.

Thanks for the advice. I think I usually hit all of those points when writing a subplot, but one statement brought up a question. You say: "Final Effect: all subplots must affect the resolution of the main plot." I have to ask if this is always true or only true of books that are not part of a series? In a series, it seems that some subplots do affect the resolution of the main plot of an individual book while others continue throughout the series. I think I know how you will answer this question, but I ask it here so you can add a further explanation (or perhaps use it for a hub idea) so other writers will have the benefit of your thoughts and opinions.

This one is definitely worthy of a bookmark, Bill, and if you do add to it, please 'recycle.'

Voted Up++

Jaye

Interesting, could be explored and exploited. Useful if your book is written from the point of view of a 'god' figure: everywhere and watches everything. Then you can start from more than one point - like 'Centennial' - and bring the different strands together in a common 'action'. Or, something different, be the narrator - something like the 'god' character - and wrap two or more 'strands' together. It's useful in detective stories - like NYC - or war stories in the style of 'The Longest Day'.

Not very handy if you're the narrator as part of the story. You can't be elsewhere unless... you're some kind of Merlin figure.

This one's too short Bill. Can't you add something else to it, like 'illustrations' or cases in point?

One of your few articles where I felt the need to read every comment, as well. Interesting. Great subject, some great comments, as well. We each do hang on your every word, and what others say in response. I believe that crowns you a great writer. One opinion, for sure. You cause us to think about our own writing, which is your intent. Keep up the great work. This was a super article. Thanks for sharing! ;-)

Very interesting article Bill. Refresh my memory please...How many subplots for a Novella? Also, I have acompletely separate question for the mailbag series... How do you feel about the new Amazon Kindle Unlimited program or the Kindle Select programs for self-publishers?

billybuc, this is a very nicely written article on the subject, and useful as well. Those subplots can be instrumental to bringing an element of realism to the plot and in making the characters more human for the reader.

Voted up.

Thanks. More information digested for future use.

Thanks Bill, I needed a lesson in how to write a good subplot. I think I can learn a lot from you and Rachael about novel writing. I also think it gives me a basis for some of the critiques I write or would like to write and just can't put my finger on what is wrong with the subplots. Have you noticed that the tendency among many writers is that there is little or no story, just five or six subplots that meet and solve (hopefully) the problem at the end? Raymond Feist is good example. then there is George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, which at this point has no ending. It really tires the reader out. Thanks for the lesson.

This made me think of that TV show Lost. There were so many subplots--and each one was interesting--but all together with so many characters coming and going, it became confusing. At the end, they couldn't tie up all the loose ends and left a lot of unanswered questions. Sorry, I know that's not a book. lol But someone had to write it, right? Boy howdy.

Great words of advice.

However, my brain is on overload and is shorting out.

If you would be so kind as to 'rate' your information from #1 to #10,

then I could skip 1-9 and just absorb the super valuable articles. Or, you could preface it with, "This one's for you, DJ." It would save me time

and energy, and you would never have to worry about my brain exploding all over the screen.

I swear, you are like the Energizer Bunny. Give it a rest!!

Just kidding!!! Felt it was time for me to give you a good ribbing. NO, not rubbing--ribbing. Ah, gees, you are gonna get us both in trouble!

DJ. :-)

You are that good but the fact that you don't flaunt it makes you the person you are. Brilliant and lovely!! :)

So many writers want to just tell a story, and use very little backstory (insert a By the way paragraph here, a By the way paragraph there). They could be subplotting their character's backstory deeper to make the characters more interesting (to love 'em or hate 'em).

For me, I use subplots show who characters are, if they are minor characters then I show how they support my story. I try to work my storyline to touch most of the cast of characters, even if it is only as an acquaintance. Often my acquaintance ends up becoming so likeable, which is how you have your star for book 2.

I must be an out of the ordinary kind of writer, because I think subplots are the best way to keep my story going, make some reveals about minor characters relationship to the primary, the reasons for their present dilemma/behavior, then tie them up in a nice neat package to meet in the last few chapters.

I get a lot of mileage out of at least 2 subplots, but not with so much detailing that one has to take notes.

The topic of subplots is much needed article to show writers how to create and incorporate more into their works to keep the reader's interest and make a good book - a better book.

Thanks for writing on this topic. It is one I enjoy.

Subplots?! I'm still working on the main plot. Adding depth to my writing is so random it's inconceivable, Bill. LOL.

Thank you again Billy, will have to bookmark this one for sometime in the future. I hope you have a good week-end.

Sally

I know what tillsontitan means; it makes my head spin too sometimes!

I'm one of those people who always need reminding about basic stuff - I like lists so that I can refer to them and they collate all the information needed. So thank you for this, bill.

Your advice is always so useful to all of us. You remind, cajole, suggest and encourage, always with good humour. Head big enough yet?!

Have a great weekend, bill!

Ann

Thank you Bill for the guidance once again. This will nicely fit with my project as I start the tidying up process. Have a great Friday and weekend :)

The point about don't go overboard with the subplots put me in mind of my favorite author, the late Robert Jordan. He was the king of subplots, so much so that I ended up having to take notes starting on about the fourth or fifth book in the series. I've never seen anyone else pull it off like he did, though King is really good at it too.

This was interesting. It makes me think perhaps mapping things would be easier than just starting to type. God love you for sharing.

Very useful tips, Bill. The advice that hit me the hardest is the one where you say the subplot must be happening at the same time as the main plot. I like the way you treat the subplots in Resurrecting Tobias. They truly enhance the journey.

Thanks for writing this up Billy. Good subplots make for fun stories.

I'm working on a subplot now with The Gifts of Faith. It's not complete, but so far it seems to meet the criteria you cite above. Cool beans!

Bill, I truly thank you for this bit of advice on subplots today and definitely pinning this to refer back to. Thank you again and totally wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead now!

Another masterpiece! Sometimes I'm afraid my head will burst with all the good information you give us, but I know in the end it won't, well, I don't think it will....maybe that's my next subplot ;)

Voted up, useful, awesome, interesting, pinned and shared.