Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Subplots play an essential role in storytelling because they add depth, complexity, and realism to a narrative. While the main plot focuses on the central conflict, subplots allow writers to develop characters, explore important themes, and maintain the audience’s interest throughout the story. They can provide contrast to the main storyline, create tension or humour, and help readers better understand the motivations and relationships between characters. I have compiled some useful articles and podcasts that discuss things to consider when crafting your subplots.
Adding Subplots
How to Add Subplots to Your Story: 6 Tips for Writing Subplots – 2026 – MasterClass
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. Masterclass discusses reasons to use subplots, the different types, examples from literature and share 6 tips for writing better subplots.
Subplots in Fiction: How to Use Them to Deepen Your Story | Writers.com
Regardless of where you are in the writing process, there may come a moment when something feels off, flat, or scattered—like the story is doing too much, or not quite enough. Subplots might be your problem, but also your solution. Since then, I’ve developed what I call the Goldilocks method of subplotting: not too few, not too many—you have to find the balance that’s just right. And that balance will look different for every book. This article explores what a subplot is (and isn’t), how many subplots a book should have, the different types of subplots, how to weave subplots into your story, common subplot mistakes, and real-world examples that show subplots done well.
Integrating Subplots
Weaving the Plot: How to Write a Brilliant Subplot | The Novelry
If you’re writing a novel, you probably have a good handle on its central narrative arc, but you might have realised that to really make your book sing you need to create subplots. Or perhaps you’ve discovered you have too many subplots, and now you’re wondering if they’re all required. In this article, L.R.Lam provides definitions of subplots, as well as tips and techniques to make sure your main plotline and subplots are working in tandem.
Subplots to Enrich Your Story
How to Use Subplots in Writing to Enrich Your Story
A story without subplots can feel a little predictable. Subplots are secondary storylines can add emotional complexity, narrative texture, and surprising twists that keep readers turning pages. The best subplots feel inevitable, not incidental. This article shares three essential strategies to make sure your subplots enhance your story, not distract from it. These are connecting your subplots to the main plot, not overloading your story, and structuring and pacing with intention.
What is a Subplot? Definition, Types, and Examples
Subplots add the seasoning that make stories richer, spicier, and tastier. They deepen the layers to the main plot, bring characters to life, and keep the reader engaged. You can broadly divide subplots into seven main types. This article explores each type, along with examples from classic and modern literature. It moves on to share 3 tips to write a compelling subplot. These include making sure your subplot enhances the narrative, giving it a beginning, middle, and end, and thinking about the timing.
PODCASTS
#98: How to Add Subplots to Your Novel
This episode from the Fiction Made Easy podcast discusses how subplots have three primary relationships to your main plot. They can contradict or compliment your theme and/or complicate the central conflict of your story. They discuss where a subplot should come into play in your story and share examples from Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter.
This podcast discusses why you should be using subplots in your novels and the different kinds that you could consider using.
In this episode from the Book Writing Tips podcast, they explore how well-crafted subplots can strengthen your main plot, raise the stakes, and create a more immersive reading experience. They break down different types of subplots, how to weave them seamlessly into your main storyline, and common mistakes writers make when balancing multiple narrative threads.
Adding Layers
By adding layers of emotion, conflict, and character development, subplots help stories feel more realistic and meaningful. They also keep readers interested by introducing different perspectives and smaller storylines that connect to the central narrative. Well-developed subplots contribute greatly to the success and impact of a story. I hope you have found this week’s column useful. Please get in touch if there are any other topics you would like me to cover.
(c) Lucy O’Callaghan
Instagram: lucy.ocallaghan.31.
See here for previous Really Useful columns on Writing.ie.
