The Effective Use of Subplots
Developing a Variety of Stories to Greaten Your Story
Subplots can either overwhelm or give your reader that supplemental thrill to be able to enjoy the story as a whole. The greatest novels and even films provide well-thought subplots to engage the reader in a natural and realistic setting. Although the subplots stand imperative to creating a plausible fictional world, the author must never divert the focus of the main story. There are three generic types of subplots used that are very effective at providing the reader a subjective understanding of the characters.
Love and Romance
Romance has always been a strong influence in many stories and is an element that captures a reader’s entire attention. How can romance be used as a subplot? Simply allow the main character or hero to have intimate relations with another. Since romance has a strong impact on many people, it will allow the reader to be able to relate to the story in their own fashion. Romance in stories doesn’t necessarily only signify the relationship between the hero and his lady — it can also take form of many different and various occasions. Here are a few examples:
- Love Triangles: The classic prose where two fall in love with one. The combinations and potential for this are endless.
- Fallen for the Enemy: The scenario where the hero’s close friend falls for the adversary or villain. This creates an unexpected twist and dazzles the reader.
- Forbidden Couple: The classic ‘Romeo and Juliet’ plot, where the main character and his or her lover can not be — the varieties for this kind of story are also limitless; for there could be many reasons why their love can not take place.
War and Politics
What can be more interesting than romance? Try heated arguments between countries or nations and the agitation of opposites. War and politics create a parallel tension between the characters and other subjects. Politics can be used to create or destroy alliances, portray character beliefs, destroy bonds of friendship and allow the reader to have their own opinion of the certain political values the party holds. War can also provoke many different emotions for the reader; consider the different sensations a soldier or warrior has before entering a battlefield, or how the character would feel towards going to war and being involved with such a thing.
The Past and History
Creating a subplot from a previous time is not something many have considered before; it will actually allow a much more clear and better understanding of the characters or event taking place if used in a proper form and circumstance. This sort of plot can be told through dialogue, or even applied directly by the narrator. Characters don’t just come out of no where — history and the past life defines who the characters are in the present and possibly foreshadow who they will be in the distant future. Have they changed? Does their past reinforce, or frighten them?
Why are Subplots Important? How Do You Apply Them?
Subplots are used to give the realistic element needed in a story. As we all are aware, love and romance as well as politics or war are the key factors that are involved with human lives. By adding such elements in a story, you create a tangible world that the reader can undeniably relate towards. Applying subplots along with the main is quite simple, but remember that you should never allow the main plot to divert from course.
Books – Subplots
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Writing & Publishing
Latest Articles