As a novelist you can add depth and emotional connection with your readers with a subplot. You’ll deepen your story and expand insight into your characters. As a story device a subplot expands the story beyond the main storyline.
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What Is A Subplot?
A subplot is a story strand that supports and runs alongside the main plot. A subplot is like a mini-story within your main story with a beginning, middle, and end. The subplot story augments the main story through connections like mirroring the main plot but without the drastic consequences or contrasting the main story by showing success where the main storyline throws up obstacles.
The subplot is not a separate story—that would be another novel—but connects to the main story in some manner like time, place, and often thematic significance. Also, subplots directly interact with the main story at least one time in the storyline. Supporting characters can play a major role in subplots, not just the main protagonist or antagonist.
A subplot is shorter than the main story, taking up less space in the storyline. The events in the subplot are less significant than those in the main story and involve supporting characters.