Hey, it’s Emily! Today we’re tackling subplots! They are a difficult element to pin. How do you know if part of a story is a subplot, rather than a piece in the main plot or even just a developing detail? Surely not every romance, every rivalry, is a subplot? Hopefully this blog post will not only answer those questions but provide some examples and inspiration to help you craft your own subplots!
What is a Subplot?
A subplot is almost a miniature plot, or a smaller story within the main story. Subplots exist to develop the characters, support the main plot, or enhance the story’s stakes and themes, but they are not the main story. Yet, a story without subplots often feels weaker.
Writer Charlie Holmberg says this about subplots:
Subplots are like the adjectives of your main story/sentence. You can still understand the sentence without them, but it’s not as fascinating.
And Brandon Sanderson himself said this:
Your job as an author is to make sure the book always feels like it’s moving forward, even when MC is getting knocked back or failing. Subplots help move it forward. Yes, they failed, but ooh—there’s forward momentum in this side relationship.
(Both of the above quotes come from Whitney Hemsath’s “Quotes on Subplots.”)
Subplots provide depth and nuance to a story, supporting it and its themes. However, like any good plot, subplots have structure. They involve a problem or conflict, rising and falling action, story beats, and a resolution.
For example, in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, the main plot features the characters preventing Titans from destroying the world, but a subplot that occurs throughout the series is the growing relationship between Percy and Annabeth. This subplot begins with Percy and Annabeth not exactly getting along, mostly due to the rivalry between their parents. However, over the series, they become friends and eventually a couple. Like any plot, this subplot develops because of story beats that push them together and reveal character. Their relationship is secondary to the plot, yet still interacts with and affects the main plot.
Types of Subplots
While romance subplots are arguably the most popular, there are so many different types and categories. Below, I’ve listed just a few key ones, but I can promise that there are so many other types of subplots that exist out there in literature and media. But in the meantime, let’s take a look at this short list:
For Developing Relationships
Many subplots revolve around relationships between two or more characters. These types especially aid in developing individual characters and dynamics and highlighting relational-based themes. Here are some examples:
Romance
A romance between two characters is a classic subplot. Percy and Annabeth are one example; Anne and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, even better with their academic rivals to lovers trope, is another. However, not every romance subplot has to be characters falling in love. In The Lost Apothecary, Caroline and James grow apart which takes secondary stage next to the main mystery of the novel. Love triangles would also count within the romance subplot category.
Friendship
Not all relationship-based subplots have to be centered around romance. Friendship subplots can be especially compelling, especially when two characters despised or misunderstood each other at the beginning. Like Katara and Toph in Avatar: The Last Airbender or Miri and Britta in Princess Academy.
Family
Family subplots are another great option! In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, readers get to see Christopher and his father’s relationship tested and strengthened. In Encanto, Mirabel helps her entire family grow closer together and overcome generational trauma.
Rivalry
Many readers also enjoy rivalries, since they provide the main character with a lower stakes enemy. Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter is not the main antagonist, but he’s certainly a nuisance throughout the series and readers can’t help but to love hating him every time he becomes an obstacle in the story. Hattie in Ella Enchanted is another hateable character whose involvement in the story interacts with the plot.
Foil/Mirror
Finally, foil and mirror subplots create many theme-strengthening subplots. Foils are characters who represent opposites, whether in personality or opinions in an issue, like Henry and Victor in Frankenstein, Victor and Eli in Vicious, or Szeth and Kaladin in The Stormlight Archives. Foils are typically characters, but they don’t always have to be. In Hunger Games, District 13 acts as a foil to the Capitol, becoming so opposed to the Capitol and their ways that it becomes ironic.
Mirrors, on the other hand, feature characters who are so similar but went down separate paths. Like Sherlock and Morarity, Frodo and Gollum, or even Harry and Voldemort.
For Characterization
Another category of subplots revolve around developing a particular character, their internal and external goals, and whatever inner obstacles they may be facing.
Skills
Many authors give their characters a particular skill, hobby, or career that they develop throughout a story. Maybe they struggle with it at first, but readers experience the triumphs and defeats alongside the characters. Some examples include Quidditch in Harry Potter or Liesel learning to read in The Book Thief.
Trauma
Sometimes the most compelling subplots delve into a character’s psyche, what makes them tick or what causes them to stumble. Like Aza’s body dysmorphia in Fairest or Max’s grief and guilt in season 4 of Stranger Things.
Role
Yet another popular subplot focuses on a character needed to grow into a role, often one they do not wish to accept or one they must train for. Jedi training in Star Wars is an example. In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Aang doesn’t wish to be the Avatar but must learn to accept the responsibility and master the elements. Similarly, Rho Grace in Zodiac must navigate her role as the new guardian of the planet Cancer.
To Support the Story
While all subplots should support the story, some subplots have the specific role of enriching the main plot in a narrative.
Mystery
Mystery subplots are often impossible to take out of the story if done well, because they are so important to give readers the context to understand the rest of the narrative. For example, Kyra learning about her heritage in Midnight Thief or Nova learning about Max’s powers in Renegades.
Politics
Political subplots are very similar. While a political story may be in the background of the main narrative, often it provides context to the main plot and enriches the world. In the popular Leage of Legends TV series, Arcane, the political turmoil in Piltover between the Undercity and Topside, as well as the Council’s decisions on these matters, plays an essential role in the events of the series. The district uprisings against the Capitol in Hunger Games is another example.
Subplots in The Threadborne Throne
Now that we’ve examined some popular types of subplots and looked at some examples, let’s return to our very own Honeycomb original story, The Threadborne Throne! Here's a quick recap of our story:
Honey’s story will feature many subplots, but a few key ones will fall under the romance, family, skills, role, and mystery categories.
Falling For the Prince
Though Honey is initially perturbed with the prince, wanting nothing to do with him lest she get distracted from finding her brother, she eventually grows to appreciate not only his help but his company. Throughout the novel, she will begin to reciprocate Prince Jonathon’s feelings and allow herself to envision a future with him.
Letting Her Brother Go
When Honey finally finds Hunter, she will be shocked to learn that he does not want to return home with her. Throughout the story, she will learn that she cannot control every element in life and that some people desire different, even contrary, things. While Honey’s never desired anything besides a quiet life in the village of Ilverseed, Hunter has always wanted to adventure and experience bustling life in the big city. Honey’s eventual understanding and acceptance of this not only strengthens the relationship between Honey and Hunter, but also supports the novel’s themes of growing and adapting.
Winning at Weaving
As we all know, Honey is a skilled weaver. However, once she leaves Ilverseed and ventures out into the world, she will have the opportunity to learn new techniques about her trade that she did not have access to back in her tiny village. Readers will get to see Honey develop into a more skilled and confident weaver, one capable of weaving the world back into order.
A Destined Hero
Like many other characters, Honey finds herself needing to accept a role she never wanted. When Prince Jonathon tells her about an ancient prophecy depicting a powerful, magical weaver who will defeat the Unraveler, she hopes against hope that her brother Hunter will be that hero, since that’s all he’s ever wanted. However, Honey learns that she is the destined hero and must step into this role to save her family, village, and the rest of the world. This subplot forces Honey to step out of her comfort zone and grow into a more active character, also supporting the story’s themes.
The Fraying Ends
Finally, The Threadborne Throne will include a minor mystery subplot, in which Honey discovers that the tapestry her parents gave her to mend continues to unravel no matter what she does. This will be a continuous source of confusion for her and likely the readers as well, until the prophecy sheds light on the issue and reveals that Honey’s tapestry is the prison of the Unraveler. Once she solves this mystery, however, it will be too late and the ancient monster will have awakened.
Adding to Your Story
These subplots in The Threadborne Throne all came from brainstorming sessions and outlining, methods that any writer can use to build up their plot. To give depth to your story, develop your characters, and enhance your themes, simply look through the various categories of subplots—or hunt for more within your favorite stories—and discover which ones could work alongside your plot.
Obviously, the topic of subplots is a large one and this blog post has barely scratched the surface. If you are interested in learning more about subplots, I would recommend doing additional research and reading craft books to improve your writing knowledge! And, as always, the editors at Honeycomb would adore working on your story with you. Check out our Services page on our website, and schedule a consultation call or book our editing services, and we will work with you to add strengthening subplots to your story!
Till then, bee brilliant!
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