Using the power of subplot in your story

Corzhens Level 1

June 26, 2018, 8:39 pm

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Using the power of subplot in your story

This is the advice of a veteran writer for the movies. Using the subplot is a segue way to avoid the audience or reader to get bored with the long scene or sequence. The subplot can divert the story just a little bit. For example, the scene is the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist, they are in a hand-to-hand fighting. The subplot can come in to give a backgrounder of the conflict. Just take note that the subplot should be short and not very complicated.

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ballyhara

ballyhara

That's correct! Usually you can see subplots on long scenes, like in Star Wars saga movies, or during super heroes battles. Some subplots tend to be funny, so that way you can get a little pause in the middle of a very stressing/violent scene or sequence. During subplots, directors show supporting characters, and most of the time that make us see the importance of that role. I love the subplots on sci-fi movies, because those short scenes get eventually linked to the main story, and if you don't pay attention to them, you won't be able to get the whole point of the movie.

7 years ago

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Steve5

Steve5

I know, right? Subplots have as much importance as the main plot. While the main story is the big picture, the subplot is the microscopic lens that shows what's happening behind the scenes and all around them. It reveals stuff that you thought was unnecessary to be completely influential in the story's final outcome.

6 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

Exactly. And what I really like the most about subplots, is that usually they are somehow related to something that makes you laugh, or shows you an unexpected result that ends up saving someone's butt, or will generate a next movie or sequence. With subplots, you feel like you're watching many stories inside a big one, and that never makes you feel boring about it.

6 years ago

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Steve5

Steve5

Yes, that's true. In fact, without them, the main plot won't function properly. It's like with boring movies. They only have one plot and so it feels bland. Subplots add depth and complexity to your work.

Though, they're not easy to write. You have to mind many rules and break some of them when the time is right.

6 years ago

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Russet

Russet

I happened to be home one day and was watching a bit of a soap opera, boy do they over use the power of subplots. They flash constantly from scene to scene -- and by the end of the episode nothing has actually happened. You can glance at a program like Coronation street years later and still have a pretty good idea of what is going on because they harness the multiple plots and the feeling of action to distract from the fact that major events hardly ever actually happen.

7 years ago

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Steve5

Steve5

That's really unfortunate. I too have experienced stuff like this. It's kind of a mixture between heavy exposition, info dump, and flashback overload. Too much going on. It's like a bad salad of sorts.

6 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I agree having subplots more so in a series does makes it more interesting. In movies subplots can be a precedent to a good twist and this could be quite interesting for the movie watchers because it normally leaves questions to the minds of the viewers.

7 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

You are very correct my friend, I think subplot comes more in movie series because of how deep such storyline is. It's not something that runs straight, there must be side stories which can only be explained well with the use of subplots. If they are not used, the structure of the main story plot will be twisted so bad that it's going to confuse the viewers. Subplots makes movies better and all round complete.

6 years ago

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treecko142

treecko142

Subplots are necessary to give depth to the main story, or else the plot would feel too one-dimensional even if it were good, and it's also an important element in character development. Of course, there should be a balance in using subplots so as not to overpower the main plot and get distracted from the main point of the story.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Exactly, subplot adds more depth to the story by revealing more information on some characters, why they are the way they are, their past experiences, and possibly what the current situation will hold for them in the future. If you are a good script writer, making use of subplots will never be scrapped off your writing techniques because it does more for your writing when used unlike when it's not used.

6 years ago

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treecko142

treecko142

Definitely, I think it's very important to be able to handle subplots well as a scriptwriter since you can only expand on the main plot so much or else it will get too ridiculous. This is important especially in TV series, where there are some "filler" episodes where it's mostly subplot to prolong the series but great writers can make every episode great even if it's a filler.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Yes exactly. Subplots are excellent for writers in such a way that it makes the plot of stories more detailed and well expanded. Personally, I hate having stories that are not well developed. So, subplots are golden to writers.

6 years ago

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treecko142

treecko142

Yeah, rushed stories are the worst, because of the lack of character development and plot, and a lot of movies about love stories suffer from this because the speed at which the plot develops is just too unrealistic. It's also very evident when TV shows become affected by a writer's strike.

6 years ago

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Barida

Barida

Just like most of the members have always said here, it is a good plan used in movies and dramas to tell more about the movie and in a way, it can be used to divert the minds od those viewers into something else. Honestly, subplot is a good technique that will make the movies quite interesting.

6 years ago

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jaybee19

jaybee19

I definitely agree with this. Subplot is really important not only on the movies but also for tv dramas/series. Subplots just like what others said makes the story more interesting. If the story just focus on the protaginist and the antagonist (just like how dramas and movies are made here in my country), the story will be boring and too cliche.

6 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

It's just like using a flashback to throw more insight into the development of the plot. This helps to bring more explanation on what is going on in the current plot. I have seen several movies and scripts written in such manner and they portray more fully blown plot than the ones that just runs straight.

6 years ago

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clairmatin

clairmatin

Using a subplot is very important! A subplot can add texture and dimension to your main plot, and it keeps your audience interested. With many ideas, characters, events and twists and turns, I don't think anyone would lose interest in your story that way!
One of the most important reasons why you'd use a subplot is because it makes your story more believable! It breathes life into your plot and makes it as real as it could get.

6 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

Subplot is a way to make the story more interesting and clear to the audience. It can be used to provide a background of the main plot or the character. It prevents that story from going into just one direction, which can make it monotonous and easy to predict. With the turns that a subplot can provide, it lets the viewer participate by letting them think of what will happen next and how the story would really end.

6 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

It can also be really interesting when characters and story lines from the subplot meld with the main plot at some point. I like that experience of watching a movie's main story, only to have it break away and introduce you to some sort of secondary characters. Then later on as the story progresses, somewhere around the second act, the secondary and main characters unite, combining the plots into the main plot as it rides towards the climax.

It's a really satisfying way to tie up loose ends and make a unified viewing experience.

6 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

I think that subplots are absolutely essential when it comes to building a realistic, believable world. It's hard to be immersed in a movie or book when it is all about the same two people or one person. Little breaks away from the main story fill the gaps in our imagination to make a more believable, immersive story.

That being said, it's important not to go overboard with subplots unless you intend on doing that very strategically. Some films, such as Inglourious Basterds have multi-plot stories with sub-plots within them, and it ended up being panned by some critics and praised by others for that decision alone.

6 years ago

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jennyfermanuel

jennyfermanuel

It actually gives a twist and more understanding about the story.
Twists, because viewers loved a movie that leaves them wondering, I guess most viewers wants mysteries in the story.
Me as a viewer, I can say that it can help a lot to improve the best results of the movie.
And yes the main uses of subplot I think is to help the viewers understand what is going on with the story.

6 years ago

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Steve5

Steve5

Yes, I've read about this. The subplot acts as a way to keep the reader engaged while the main story unfolds. We can't only have our main plot. We should also create a relevant yet engaging subplot that ties everything together. It will give our story a room to breathe while enhancing its overall appeal.

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

I love to read especially fiction books. Ironically I hate to write fiction. It becomes very hard to develop characters, I think anyone who writes fiction books is really brave. That's why fiction writers are classed as a bit mad because it takes everything out of them, that why the like solitude. I see what you are saying and I respect the advise of other writers or editors. As a reader though I've got to tell you that a subplot especially taking you back in time is the most annoying thing ever, I hate it so much that I skip it. Why not just start the book at the begging of the story?

6 years ago

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oksoda

oksoda

Subplots are important, they do add depth as many others have said here, but I don't think subplots are absolutely necessary to create a good story.

A subplot is, by its nature, supplemental. It's cool when it comes back around and really enhances the main plot, but that takes talent and a strong main plot to pull off. Think about all the obnoxious, poorly devised subplots you've seen in movies or television. It never comes back around to the main story, it's a boring or out of character deviation... Basically, it's a really important writing convention that I don't think new writers should lean on as strongly as they do. Develop characters, develop that major plot and see what comes out of that naturally - stuffing in a side plot, as delightful or world-building as it might feel, means nothing if it adds nothing. It'll just come off hacky. Tropes are good, but there's a time and a place for them. If they aren't handled deftly, there's just no real point in including it.

6 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

Some subplots ruin the flow of a great action packed story. I've recently got to watch Marvel's Spiderman in movie form and I have to say, the side missions where Mary Jane works as an investigative journalist and sneeks into the villain's lair ruins the flow of the last action packed scene of Spiderman beating the bad guys. You really have to take note of the flow of the story. If the actions scenes were a 10 then the MJ side quests were a 4 at best in terms of pacing. At the very least it should have been a 7.

6 years ago

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Aeolos

Aeolos

In long running anime, sub plot add some important back stories which is important to the plot. I guess sub plot also offers new different perspective to the main story which adds depth to the story. Mainly sub plots are fillers for lose connections to support the main plot so viewers are not at lost during watching. Subplot helps the main story unfolds which I think really builds up the some minor character in the story who helps the main protagonist in his journey.

6 years ago

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mitan143

mitan143

That's true. The directors are really amazing where to put it and how they make it very effective in every movie they make. In fact, I am always amazed with the subplots. One of the best subplot that I've ever watched is the storyline of Hagrid's dragon in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

6 years ago

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Jeane

Jeane

In addition:

Effective fiction writing demands that everything in a story should: drive the story forward or reveal more about the characters, what motivates them, what made them who they are and how they change as the story progresses. That is why sub-plots have to, in some way be connected to the main plot. For example a sub-plot could be used to get the reader to learn more about other characters the protagonist will interact with later in the story.

And then there's the romance sub plot which many story writers are so much in love with. It gives the protagonist something more to fight for, and can be used as the tool for upping the ante especially if the villain desires to use the protagonist's vulnerabilities (his/her loved ones) against him/her.

6 years ago

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romyter013

romyter013

I agree with you guys. Its something that they add on the movie to help the viewers to get hint on how it really the movie is gonna come out to. And its good every time they insert sub plot because its giving you more idea, climax, and make you get more interested about the story behind the movie.

6 years ago

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jetselle

jetselle

The primary plot can in any case be growing in the mean time this subplot can end affecting the principle plot. In end I trust that to compose a fruitful story, subplots are unquestionably essential.

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

I see what you mean@jetselle. However subplots can distract the reader from the main plot. For example I have read books where the subplot takes you back to an earlier time to explain the context of the characters background. If you are not keen this can be boring and make you abandon the book altogether. Now that I think about it, I have never read a subplot which did not involve going backward or forward in time. I'm not sure I approve of the use of sub-plot in a novel.

6 years ago

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anyone01

anyone01

It is good to select our subplots wisely and use them to boost pertinent person developments and subject matters. with out subplots, we’re in all likelihood to emerge as with now not best a totally quick e book, however additionally one which’s one dimensional. Our story wishes a decent attention at the primary plot.

6 years ago

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jpk0007

jpk0007

I think that the subplots are very necessary for a film along with the main plot. it helps in breaking the monotony of the main plot and makes the film more interesting and entertaining to watch. just as we need the supporting actors in any film we also need the supporting plots or the subplots in a film. I think that filmmaking is a team effort. we have all sorts of characters with different shades along with the main characters in the film. In the same manner, we have the main plot and different subplots who together make an entertaining film.

6 years ago

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