Subplot

A subplot is a secondary storyline that runs alongside the main plot, with its own conflict and characters, and that usually supports the main story by echoing, complicating or contrasting with it.

In Pride and Prejudice the main plot follows Elizabeth and Darcy. Beside it run the romance of Jane and Bingley, the elopement of Lydia and Wickham and the marriage of Charlotte and Mr Collins. Each is a subplot, and each throws light on the main one.

What subplots do

• Contrast. A second story shows a different answer to the same question. Charlotte's practical marriage sets off Elizabeth's refusal to settle.
• Complicate. A subplot can make trouble for the main plot, as Lydia's scandal does.
• Pace. Cutting to another thread gives the reader relief and builds anticipation.
• Deepen the world. Secondary characters get lives of their own.

Weaving them in

A subplot needs its own setup, development and ending, with a smaller version of the arc. It should meet the main plot at least once, and ideally resolve before or at the climax, so it feeds the finale and does not compete with it.

Why it matters to a writer or editor

Subplots are where manuscripts go slack. A subplot that has no bearing on the theme or the main plot reads as a detour. In a developmental edit, an editor tests each by asking what would be lost if it were cut. If the answer is nothing, it goes. If it matters but is thin, it needs more weight. The shape overall is described by the throughline and three-act structure.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a subplot and the main plot?

The main plot carries the central conflict and the protagonist's main goal. A subplot is a smaller storyline, often about a secondary character or a different part of the protagonist's life.

How many subplots should a story have?

A short story may have none. A novel often has two or three. The more subplots, the more careful the juggling must be.

Should a subplot connect to the main plot?

Yes. The best ones feed into the main plot or reflect its theme, and they come together near the climax.