Subplots, don't you love them? You better, because without them the story is probably flat. It most likely lacks complexity. Subplots forge direction to your climax and they make your characters real. We see another side to them. We see other aspects of their personality. Different skills, emotions, and talents of your entire cast can be divulged in subplots.
In my WIP, I started to think I had too many subplots going on and too many characters. When I made my detour in the main plot, I started to panic about how I would connect all the dots. It put me on hold for a while. I talked about it already. But the solution is NOT to get rid of the subplots. Or the extra characters. The solution is to think harder to make them all fit together.
Sure, maybe a character or a scene can be deleted from a story if it ends up adding nothing, but whether you do or don't, you gotta make it work. You can't leave any loose ends. When your first draft is finished, one of your revision passes must focus on tying any loose ends. That includes that pesky minor character who was a thorn in the side of your MC, even if he was part of a subplot. Don't just forget about him, hoping your readers will, too. Tie that loose end.
If you throw something together that's easy to write, chances are it wont be a very interesting story.
Yes, I enjoy subplots. But you're right, you have to tie them together at the end.
ReplyDeleteRaymond Chandler actually admitted to leaving at least one hanging. But his writing was so good, none of his fans care. I didn't even notice it, until it was brought to my attention:D