The Rollercoaster of Storytelling

What are they? Why do they matter? And how many should you stuff into your story without breaking it?

 

Your main plot is the heartbeat of your story—the chain of critical events that thrust your protagonist into conflict and drive them to chase what they want (or what they think they want). The subplot, on the other hand, is the delicious side dish—extra storylines that enhance your main course and add spice, depth, and emotion, all while driving it forward.

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The best stories use a blend of subplots to deepen themes, build character arcs, and keep readers hooked.

 

Plot Like a Pro: 7 Tips for Structuring Plot and Subplots

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Structure matters—even chaos has to be organised. Every successful story rides the three-act rollercoaster:

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• Act One: Set-up. Meet the cast, cue the inciting incident.

• Act Two: Midpoint madness. Shift dynamics, flip roles, raise stakes.

• Act Three: The grand payoff. Plot twists collide. Characters transform. Closure arrives.

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Subplots should follow this structure too. Mini-stories with beginnings, middles, and satisfying ends. Use the following tips to create great compelling subplots:

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1. Colour Code Your Chaos – Use writing tools like Scrivener to assign colours to your main and subplots. It'll save your sanity and make untangling your endings much easier.

2. Track Character Changes -  Start with their initial values and note how it shifts in Act Two. This is where having a character sheet comes in handy. For example: a reluctant ex-cop returns to the force = Value change.

3. Raise the stakes – When things seem tough—make them tougher (and suffer). The story's not over until your characters are really suffering.

4. From Want to Need – Characters may want something at first (to solve a murder for pride), but over time they need to do it (to save someone, or themselves).

5. New Dangers, New You – The deeper your character dives into the story, the more danger they face. Make sure their obstacles evolve too. For example, while your retired detective wasn't in any danger following the investigation from afar, now they are in the thick of it, and a prime target for the murderer to halt the progress they're making.

6. Midpoint Reversals = Anti-Boredom – Plot feeling flat? Time to play that Uno reverse card. Allies become enemies. Enemies become allies. The once-dismissive police chief now begs your hero for help.

7. Tie Those Threads – Zoom out. Look at each subplot as its own story. Make sure it begins, builds, and ends in a way that matters to your main plot. Use the colour coding mentioned earlier to assist with this.

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Subplots Galore: The Supporting Acts That Steal the Show

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Just like your main plot, every subplot should follow the golden rule: Make it matter. If it doesn't connect to the main plot—it's filler. And filler will put your reader to sleep.

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Your subplot should have these at a minimum: an inciting incident, a change in values, and a climax. Think of it this way:

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1. Establish the subplot

2. Develop and shift

3. Resolve with purpose

 

How Many Subplots Is Too Many? The Goldilocks Rule of Story Threads

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So… how many subplots should you use? One? Two? Ten? A small army?

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Well, there's no hard and fast rule, but there is a sweet spot—and it depends on your story's length, genre, and scope.

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For a Single Novel or Standalone Story:

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• 1–3 subplots is usually the magic number.

• One might be a romantic thread, another a complicating obstacle, and perhaps a third that reveals a hidden truth or backstory.

• More than that? You risk losing focus (and readers).

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Think balance, not bloat. Every subplot should serve your main plot, not steal the show unless you want it to.

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For a Series (Trilogy or More):

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Here's where you can spread your subplot wings.

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• Aim for 3–5 subplots per book, but stagger them across the series. Introduce new ones, resolve old ones, and build momentum.

• A subplot introduced in Book One can quietly grow in the background and explode in Book Three. That's payoff readers love.

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Think of your subplots like threads in a tapestry. Individually, they're colourful; woven together, they form a masterpiece.

 

The Red Flags of Too Many Subplots:

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• If you forget a subplot exists... your reader will too.

• If your subplot could be removed and nothing changes... kill your darling.

• If you're spending more time on a side character than your protagonist... it's time for a spin-off, not a subplot.

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TL;DR:

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• Standalone story: 1–3 subplots

• Series: 3–5 rotating subplots, evolving and escalating with each book

• Each subplot should intersect, influence, or illuminate the main story

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So next time you wonder if you've got too many subplots, ask:

Is this subplot pulling its weight—or just crashing on the couch?

 

Now we know how many subplots we should use, let's explore the subplot toolbox:

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Parallel Subplot – The Sibling Storyline

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Also called B- or C-plots, these run alongside the main plot and echo its themes. Often they spotlight secondary characters.

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Example: A grieving side character's journey intersects with the protagonist, deepening the emotional stakes.

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Pro Tip: Keep it close to the main storyline's theme, or it will feel disconnected.

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Romantic Subplot – The Heartbeat between the Gunfights

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Whether it's steamy, sweet, or just emotionally layered, romantic subplots reveal vulnerability and character depth, allowing your readers to empathise and understand character motives.

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Example: A killer's relationship with their father provides clues—and emotional resonance—for your detective character's journey.

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Mirror Subplot – Learn by Watching Others Fail

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This subplot mirrors the central conflict but doesn't replicate it. It's all about reflection and growth.

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Example: The protagonist's friend dates someone unfaithful, making our hero question their relationship.

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Expository Subplot – Past Perfect, Present Tense

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These add backstory, enriching the main plot without derailing it. Be cautious and keep it relevant. No one cares what cereal your character ate when they were six—unless the killer does too…

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Complicating Subplot – Because Nothing Should Be Easy

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Designed to make your character's life harder (yay!). These add tension and urgency.

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Example: Your detective finds a clue… and gets a flat tire en-route to stop the next murder.

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Bookend Subplot – Start Strong, Finish Stronger

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Also called a framing subplot. Introduced at the start, put on the shelf, then resolved at the end. Tease, don't spoil. Let readers wonder how it all ties together.

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Narrative Subplot – The “Oh, That's Important Now?” Arc

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What looks like a throwaway moment grows into something major.

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Example: Dobby in Harry Potter. From quirky house-elf to vital ally. (RIP, legend.)

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Nemesis Subplot – Enemies-to-Personal-Growth

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A rival character forces your hero to confront their flaws and evolve.

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Example: Two academic enemies are forced to collaborate—tension, bickering, growth ensues.

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Foil Subplot – The Chaos Agent

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A character (not always the villain) directly works against your protagonist. Regardless of who it is, this subplot aims to introduce more obstacles for your main character to overcome, raise the stakes and increase tension.

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Example: Draco Malfoy starts as a nemesis… but becomes a chaos agent when he aligns with Voldemort.

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Final Thoughts – Don't Plot Alone

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Every subplot is a tool, and like any tool, it works best when used with care and purpose. When in doubt, ask:

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• Does this subplot change the game?

• Does it influence the main story?

• Does it resolve in a satisfying way?

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Now go forth, weave those subplot threads, break some hears, solve a few mysteries, and above all else:

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Make it matter.