This week’s video suggests the value of an “emotional subplot” to bring instant depth to any character.
Video Transcript:
Subplots are surprisingly misunderstood among writers, primarily because the best subplots are natural offshoots of the plot itself. They’re so integral to the plot that they’re basically inextricable from it. Let me just start today with a really basic definition of the subplot. In a nutshell, the subplot is a thematically related exploration of a minor part of the character’s personality. As such, subplots are vital for providing both contrast within the plot—for example, they allow us to give readers a “break” from the main plot—and for allowing us to introduce character depth via situations that would be off-limits in the main part of the plot.
We find perhaps the most obvious example of this in action-driven stories, since the contrast is particularly evident. For example, in C.S. Forester’s acclaimed Hornblower series, the plot is very obviously about the action—it’s about Captain Hornblower’s naval adventures during the Napoleonic Wars. Forester could easily have left his stories at that, and they probably would still have been popular. But he notched it up by introducing a minor subplot about Hornblower’s domestic life—his somewhat accidental marriage, his struggles to relate emotionally to his wife, and his desire to provide for his family.
I like to call this an “emotional subplot.” It’s not there to drive the plot forward so much as it is to introduce humanizing facets of the character. It makes the protagonist relatable and compelling in ways readers wouldn’t be able to access if the author focused totally on the main plot. Some stories, of course, are all about the emotional angle. But if you’re writing a plot-driven story, always take a minute to contemplate how you can bring considerable depth to your story by expending just a little effort on an emotional subplot.
Photo Credit
Thumbnail – Screen Capture From Video
Originally published on Wordplay: Helping Writers Become Authors
Recent K.M. Weiland Articles:
- Your Secret Weapon Against Story Coincidences
- Why the Reader Is Your Co-Writer
- Top 10 Sentence Slip-Ups
- How to Figure Out the Worst Thing That Can Happen to Your Character
- Motivation-Reaction Units: Cracking the Code of Good Writing
Way to go, K M, for giving me such clarity about subplots. Using Hornblower and his marriage subplot made it all clear very quickly, since that series, as you know, is one of my favorites!
I agree with Marshall – it is wonderful to see a writer so generous in elevating the game for all writers, by sharing such succinct and clear guidelines about the writing process. You offer valuable insight, and it is much appreciated! 🙂
Thanks, Dan! Always appreciate your encouragement. I thought of you as I wrote this post. 😉
I can see why, K M! Since you know my love of Hornblower, it was a natural to connect me and this post! 🙂
@Dan
Having Miss Weiland here, as well as other authors who’ve offered their advice on the net (Steven Erikson, David Farland) is a great resource for writers like me who, for various reasons, can’t afford to go back to school, or afford a residency at some workshop. It’s not easy to go it alone, so being able to jump on here and read her articles eases the burden a bit. Which is always welcome. Whether the article makes me go, “Oh Geez, of course!’ and I slap my head, or “Oh good, I’m doing this right!’ LOL
Keep up the good work is what I’m saying!
I completely agree, Marshall. K M is a fantastic resource for writers – it’s like having a writing school available right here at the magazine. When we were looking for resources to add to LAAH, and it occurred to me that we didn’t have a writing resource – K M was the first person who came to mind. We are very blessed that she agreed to share her wealth of incredible insights about writing with us!
I’m delighted the resource is proving so valuable, Marshall! I couldn’t afford to go back to school either – not to mention I wasn’t that fond of school when I was there – but I don’t feel the lack now that K M is sharing with us! 🙂
Cheers,
Dan
Thanks, Dan! I’m honored to be here.
Not being fond of school, I can sympathize with that. Was always too focused on those daydreams of dragons and warriors and whatnot! Besides, a lot of what I was taught in English class seems to go out the window when writing fiction. Run on sentence? Sentence fragment? So long as it works!
Fiction is more about stringing together a meaningful narrative and exploring the human condition then grammar and contemporary rulings. The trick is being concise and clear, except of course, when you need to be vague and shadowy. I mean, so far as I can figure it!
Marsh
Hey KM,
Another great video! Just wanted to say thanks for these; they’ve been incredibly helpful to me and my writing. It’s great to see writers out there who are passionate enough about the craft to help elevate others. Also, its very helpful, the way you keep things direct. Writing fiction can get complicated, when you’re trying to figure it all out at once. These little bits and pieces are just awesome.
Thanks again, just wanted you to know that its making a difference.
Marsh
Glad you’re enjoying the videos! I like bite-sized info myself. Fiction is such a mammoth undertaking, and, you’re right, it’s pretty near impossible to hold it all in your head at once.
Bite-sized, I like that.
I know that for me, when I first attacked the idea of writing a novel, I was taking too much of a “macro” look at it. I could see the big picture, but missed all the little pieces of it. Like not being able to see the trees, for the forest.
It caused it to become overwhelming, until I started focusing in on all those bite-sized pieces. Those tiny little pieces that make up the big picture. The sum of all the parts and all that jazz.
Anyway, I could ramble on and on, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that your advice has been a great help.
Still got a long way to go, but I see the trees now.
Sometimes the forest is easier to see. But all those thousands of trees can be hard to notice on an individual basis. I have this theory that we’re all going to be spending the rest of our lives discovering one new tree after another. Makes it all so much more exciting!
Absolutely!
Often I find myself more engaged by the sub-plots of what I read anyway. I mean, it seems that there is a less finite amount of sub-plots then plots out there. Maybe I’m wrong, but when your focus is turned towards characters, its those sub-plots that bring the colour, flavour and feel to the story.
Watch the indy fantasy movie, “The Westender” and you’ll find the most basic of plots. Man tries to retrieve dead wife’s ring. But the story is engaging, because it delves into the MC’s past as a fallen knight, his alcoholism and becomes this story of self-redemption.
I agree. Plot is great (and important), but it’s those little intimate glimpses into the characters that we’re really after.