How to Add Subplots to Your Novel

Fiction Writing Made Easy

Savannah Gilbo

Education, Fiction, Writing Tips, Arts, Bestseller, Writing, How To, Author, Writing Community, Books, Novel, How To Write Fiction, Writing Fiction, Writer, How To Write A Book

4.9 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 4 July 2023

⏱️ 14 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to add subplots to your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[1:50] Subplots are secondary storylines that receive less emphasis (and page time) than the main plot. The main purpose of any subplot in a novel is to enhance the main theme and conflict of the story.

[2:45] Subplots have three primary relationships to your main plot. They can contradict or complement your theme and/or complicate the central conflict of your story.

[06:05] Subplots typically come into play at the start of the second act (or at the start of the middle section of your story). However, subplots can also start and develop right alongside your primary plotline in act one (or in the begging section of your story).

[09:00] Examples from Pride and Prejudice and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

[11:20] Final thoughts and episode recap

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey there, I have a quick note for any listeners who are fairly confident they'd make a great book
0:04.2	coach but aren't quite as confident about running their own business. If this is you,
0:08.2	I want you to go check out author accelerators book coaching business plan challenge.
0:12.2	When you sign up, you'll receive a step-by-step workbook to define who you are as a coach,
0:16.3	a pricing framework to follow so you know how much to charge, and a business strategy to create
0:20.7	a sustainable coaching business. And right now author accelerator is offering all fiction writing
0:25.6	made easy listeners 50% off this $99 challenge. So if you want to dip your toe in the water and
0:30.8	find out if book coaching is right for you, go to savannahillbow.com forward slash coach and enter
0:35.7	the code podcast at checkout to claim your 50% off. So the most important thing to remember is that
0:41.6	subplots are mini plots, right? But they tend to revolve around characters. And that's because they're
0:47.8	used to drive home your story's theme. And this is often best expressed via the change your
0:53.2	protagonist and or your secondary characters go through as a result of the conflict they face.
1:00.1	Welcome to the fiction writing made easy podcast. My name is savannahillbow and I'm here to help
1:05.2	you write a story that works. I want to prove to you that writing a novel doesn't have to be
1:09.7	overwhelming. So each week I'll bring you a brand new episode with simple, actionable,
1:14.7	and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away. So whether you're
1:19.3	brand new to writing or more of a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is
1:24.0	for you. So pick up a pen and let's get started. In today's episode, we're going to talk about subplots.
1:31.5	So we're going to explore the various roles that subplots can play such as helping you control
1:36.1	your story's pace, facilitating character growth, and expressing your story's theme. I'm also
1:41.3	going to walk you through a few different examples of subplots from pride and prejudice and
1:45.5	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. But before we dive into all the details, let's talk about
	...

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