Writing Subplots: Adding Depth Without Distraction

Understanding the Power of Subplots in Storytelling

In storytelling, a well-crafted subplot can elevate the narrative, enriching characters and themes while providing a fresh perspective. Writing subplots, when done thoughtfully, can deepen the story without overwhelming or confusing readers. However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overcomplicating or derailing the main plot. The key lies in finding a balance between adding richness and maintaining focus on the primary narrative.

In this post, we’ll explore how to effectively incorporate subplots into your writing, the types of subplots you can use, and how to ensure they contribute to, rather than detract from, your main story.

Writing Subplots

A subplot is a secondary plotline that runs parallel to the main story. It typically involves supporting characters and offers a different narrative arc that complements, contrasts, or deepens the main plot. Subplots are essential because they add layers to your story, allowing you to explore various themes, build characters, and provide emotional depth.

Subplots can serve multiple purposes:

Character Development: A subplot can help reveal more about a secondary character, creating a fuller, more believable world.

Thematic Exploration: Subplots can introduce or reinforce themes that enhance the main plot.

Pacing and Variety: Subplots can provide moments of relief from the main storyline, which can help maintain pacing and prevent monotony.

By incorporating a subplot, you introduce complexity, offering readers more to think about without distracting them from the story’s primary focus.

How Do You Create a Meaningful Subplot?

Creating a subplot that adds depth without taking away from the main plot requires intentional planning. The best subplots are those that echo or contrast with the main plot’s themes, structure, or character arcs. Here’s how to get started:

1. Ensure Your Subplot Ties into the Main Story

A subplot should always have some connection to the main plot or main character. Whether it’s thematic, emotional, or even geographical, there should be some link. For example, if the main plot deals with a character’s journey of self-discovery, a subplot might involve another character dealing with their own form of self-realization. Even a subplot that appears unrelated at first should tie back to the main plot in a way that strengthens it.

For instance, in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the subplot of Draco Malfoy’s internal conflict about his allegiance to Voldemort adds another layer to the primary story of Harry’s battle against dark forces. Draco’s struggle creates thematic tension about choice, morality, and family that mirrors Harry’s own challenges.

2. Limit the Scope of Your Subplot

A subplot is meant to complement, not overshadow, the main plot. It should exist in the background or in a parallel narrative space without becoming too prominent. Think of it like a supporting character: important, but secondary!

The subplot should have its own arc—beginning, middle, and resolution—but not compete with the main narrative. If your subplot starts to feel more important than the main plot, it may have grown too large. For example, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series contains many subplots, but they all tie back to the central conflict of the story. Some storylines may even seem insignificant on the surface, yet they ultimately serve the larger world-building and character arcs.

3. Don’t Overcomplicate It

Subplots are meant to add nuance, not to overwhelm your reader with more twists or an additional set of characters to follow. Keep the subplot simple enough that it enhances the main plot without drawing attention away from it. A good rule of thumb is to have only one or two subplots in your story.

For example, in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the subplot of Mr. Collins’ awkward proposal to Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte highlights both characters’ differing approaches to marriage but doesn’t detract from the primary love story between Elizabeth and Darcy.

What Types of Subplots Can You Use?

There are several types of subplots to consider, each serving different narrative functions. Here are a few to explore when writing subplots for your story:

Character-Based Subplots

These subplots focus on a character’s internal journey or their relationship with other characters. For example, a character might struggle with a moral dilemma or develop a friendship that deepens over the course of the story. This type of subplot can enhance character depth and create emotional stakes.

In Toni Morrison’s Beloved, the subplot involving Sethe’s memory of her deceased daughter reinforces the emotional gravity of the main plot. The secondary storylines focus on other characters’ struggles but ultimately support the themes of loss and healing in the primary narrative.

Romantic Subplots

Romantic subplots can add an emotional layer to a story, even if romance isn’t the main genre. A romantic subplot often runs parallel to the main plot, adding drama, humor, or tension. However, it should not detract from or overshadow the main conflict.

An excellent example is Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where the romance between the title characters exists within a larger framework of family feuds and tragedy. The romance is integral to the main plot but is enriched by the tension between love and family obligations.

Thematic Subplots

Thematic subplots often involve smaller stories that mirror or explore a theme introduced in the main plot. A subplot exploring a theme of loyalty can parallel a larger conflict about betrayal. These subplots can deepen the reader’s understanding of the novel’s central ideas.

In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, the subplot involving the relationship between Offred and her fellow handmaids deepens the story’s themes of power and subjugation, adding layers to the central story of rebellion and survival.

Action or Adventure Subplots

If your main story is more contemplative or dialogue-driven, you might choose an action subplot to inject pace and excitement. This could involve a secondary character embarking on a physical journey or battle that contrasts with the internal struggles of the main plot.

A good example can be found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. The subplot involving the journey of Aragorn and his crew as they defend Gondor complements Frodo’s more emotionally charged journey to destroy the One Ring.

How Can You Avoid Distracting Your Readers?

One of the most challenging aspects of writing subplots is ensuring that they don’t distract or overwhelm the main story. Here are some strategies to maintain focus:

Use the Subplot to Illuminate the Main Plot

Instead of allowing the subplot to take on its own life, ensure that it provides new information or perspectives about the central conflict. Subplots should support the main story by shedding light on its themes, characters, or conflicts.

For example, in Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the subplot involving Pierre Bezukhov’s personal struggles with family and wealth informs the larger themes of war and personal identity. The subplot adds complexity but doesn’t detract from the novel’s main narrative.

Balance Pacing Between the Main Plot and Subplot

Ensure that both your main plot and subplot are given appropriate time and space. If the subplot becomes too dominant or is constantly featured, it can distract from the central story. Likewise, neglecting the subplot entirely can make it feel tacked-on or unnecessary.

Tie Up Loose Ends

A subplot should have its own resolution, which doesn’t need to be as dramatic or conclusive as the main plot but should provide closure. This ensures that your reader doesn’t feel that the subplot was left hanging or unresolved.

In Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, the subplot involving Dr. Manette’s gradual recovery from his imprisonment parallels the story of his daughter Lucie’s love for Charles Darnay, ultimately giving closure to both the character’s arc and the larger narrative.

Writing Subplots to Add Depth Without Overcomplicating the Story

Incorporating subplots into your writing is a fantastic way to add dimension and complexity to your story. However, it’s essential to ensure that subplots don’t distract or confuse the reader. Stay focused on the main narrative, make sure each subplot serves a purpose, and keep things balanced. By doing so, you’ll add depth and richness to your writing without sacrificing clarity.

Incorporating well-executed subplots into your stories will leave your readers with a more fulfilling experience. Whether you’re focusing on character growth, romance, or deep thematic exploration, writing subplots can provide additional layers of meaning without overshadowing the main plot.

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.