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Why are sub-plots important?

Sub-plots are smaller plots that add to, and interconnect with, the main plot in order to keep the reader engaged. For some reason, these gems are often overlooked during the writing process – but not employing them could make writing your main story a daunting and time-consuming task.

When done properly, sub-plots add more layers to your central plot, which keeps your reader turning those pages. The following gives you some pointers on using sub-plots to revamp your novel of any genre.

Mini plots

Sub-plotting shouldn’t be a mystery to writers since it entails the same process as plotting – they’re just much smaller jobs to handle. You can think of sub-plots as mini plots that need to always relate to your main plot, so that your reader is clear on the story as a whole.

For instance, in a romance novel where the main plot is based on one main character who falls in love with her ideal mate, the sub-plot could then be about the main character’s parents being against the other person, and they go to drastic lengths to stop a relationship from developing.

Keeping sub-plots subordinate

Although sub-plots need a lot of attention, they should remain as subordinate plots and never overshadow the main plot, because this will only end up complicating the story. Instead, you need to make each sub-plot relate to the main plot.

Taking the same romance novel for example, the sub-plots could focus on how the main character’s parents plan to prevent the relationship from blossoming. And coming back to the main plot, the main character and her soulmate overcome all the odds and get their happy ending.

Explore other viewpoints

Your sub-plots can either be told from the main character’s viewpoint or from a lesser character’s viewpoint. Either way, sub-plots help you delve into the lives of other characters, which will arouse interest in the reader.

For example, in a crime novel where the main plot is about a private investigator who has to solve a murder case, the sub-plots could be about his colleague and the role she plays in helping him find out more answers about the murder.

Create dynamism

Switching over to the lives of lesser characters intensifies your novel. The reader will not only love reading about the main characters, but that they also get to know something about another character’s world.

Sub-plots can also provide relief from having to continuously read about the main character’s story throughout the entire novel.

Conclusion

A novel with sub-plots will enable you to explore the story from different angles, write more in-depth about other characters and further explore your main plot. They are the missing element to creating an engaging, gripping novel.

Without sub-plots, the reader may feel burdened and not see a reason to read on. So, rather than focus on one main plot, try adding sub-plots to it, and then merge them together to create a story that keeps the reader hooked the whole way through.