I need opinions please.

[Bernadette Pearson]

Hi I am in the process of writing my first novel and I would like to ask the opinion of other forum members on, which would be the right way to introduce a sub plot?

I am fairly early on in my story and wondered whether I should introduce it slowly, building it through the chapters, and then letting it hit the reader at the end. Or would it be better to let the reader know straight away, then build on that as the book progresses? Or if you have any other methods, I would welcome your input.

Is there actually a right or wrong way to do this kind of thing? I would love to hear your views.

Thanks.

 

[Boneman]

There is definitely no right or wrong way - you can do it any way you wish. Personally, I'd enjoy a book that slowly fed it to me, so I was intrigued, rather than knowing what was coming, but that's just me. I can think of a number of books that do it either way. Do it whichever way seems most natural to you, you can always rewrite the whole thing if it doesn't get...

 

[Bernadette Pearson]

Oh that's great. Thank you so much, I to prefer the build up, which is what I was aiming for. I just wasn't sure if there were any set rules or methods.

 

[ctg]

As Boneman says, there are numerous ways how you can weave sub-plots around the main arc, and more subtly you do it, better the story feels, as everything seems to follow the main direction. So, if you have a sub-plot that you believe will enhance the plot or the characterisation then don't be afraid to use it. Just make sure that your sub-plot doesn't take over the main-plot. And what comes to knowing the some things before, I would say that you can be clever about that, and twist the things so that the reader is always on their toes, thinking that what they know, isn't enough or real enough for them to figure out about what's going to stand at the end.

 

[Bernadette Pearson]

I see what you mean and thank you. You have certainly given me something to think about, and I have an idea now, as to how much and what parts I wish to reveal to the reader. This is one I am going to have to plan carefully as I continue with the main arc.

Thanks again

 

[ctg]

Thing with the plots is that that the plot should remain at the background, while the characters stay on the driver's seat all the time. In that way the plot doesn't become dominating and you might find out that the sub-plots actually subtly weave around the main-plot.

 

[Boneman]

What I meant to end with was: 'if it doesn't gel'... the 't' is nowhere near the 'l' on my keyboard...

And I can guarantee that sub-plots will develop of their own accord, sometimes you have to beat them into submission, to stop them taking over.

More advice will be along, don't worry. The beauty of the chrons...

 

[The Judge]

Hello Bernadette -- Welcome to the Chronicles!

There are no rights and wrongs about anything when it comes to a novel because good writing trumps everything -- and the only rule is to keep the reader enthralled! So play around with sub-plots however much you want. If this is your first draft of your first novel then you've an awful lot of drafts to get through before it's ready, in which time you can experiment with where and how the subplot is introduced and continued. It may even be you decide to rip it out entirely because the subplot has actually grown so big it's now a plot for a whole different book!

Good luck with it.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Just be sure that it doesn't seem to come in too conveniently at the end, like something you brought in late because you suddenly realized you had no other way to resolve the main plot. That sort of thing can leave readers feeling cheated.

If you need to bring in a subplot in the last half or last third of the book, as others have said there are no rules so long as you can make it work, and great writing trumps just about everything. But making it work is the key phrase there, and the later you bring it in the more problems you may have in making it seem truly part of the story and not an addition you have tacked on.

 

[rubi]

There is no right way to write a book. When you finish your book some people will say it is a crap and other will tell you it is amazing. Just be confident and do not think so much about the readers. Sooner or later you will succeed.

 

[Bernadette Pearson]

Thank you everyone. I have read and digested everything that has been advised, and I have started to use that advice. I feel a natural flow with how I'm working now and know where I am taking things. I know I have a lot of work ahead, and I am prepared for that. I believe in my abilities now, as I do my my character and my concepts. Everything you have told me, has been invaluable and I appreciate the help.

 

[RJM Corbet]

While on the subject would anyone like to comment on the sub-plot in general as a story device? It can be used for instance to provide some comic relief in a very tense story, or to give background -- many things, I suppose?

 

[mosaix]

While on the subject would anyone like to comment on the sub-plot in general as a story device? It can be used for instance to provide some comic relief in a very tense story, or to give background -- many things, I suppose?

Interesting question RJM.

I suppose I can be used as a character building device in the best tradition of show-don't-tell. Such as the protagonist having an affair with a work colleague. This may have no direct bearing on the story except as an insight into the nature of the man (or woman).

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

A subplot can also be useful in developing your secondary (but still very important) characters. In any story with epic scope and multiple viewpoint characters, there are bound to be subplots, and ideally these would ultimately have some impact on the main plot if only through its effect on the characters.

There is no right way and no wrong way to write a book, but there are ways that are more likely to turn out wrong and ways that may place unnecessary difficulties on the writer in making them work. Writers need to be aware problems that may come up using different approaches, in order to overcome and/or compensate for them.