Can You Juggle? Better Learn If You're Tackling Subplots

Managing subplots is not easy. How many times have yours succumbed to a slow, quiet death? Taken over because the secondary characters became more riveting than the main characters? Do they follow the same rules of plotting as the primary plot?

At the recent RWA National Convention in Dallas, Rita-winner Alesia Holliday, who also writes as Alyssa Day, tackled some of the challenges facing writers, both plotters and pantsers, when juggling these mini-stories tucked inside our novels. The highlights:

1) Her golden rule: If a subplot scene doesn't deepen characterization or advance plot, cut it. Subplots can either support or antagonize the main plot, but they must have a purpose beyond trying to stretch word length. Make sure your conflict is as strong in the subplot as it is in the main plot.

2) When considering a Tertiary Plot (or 2nd subplot) consider the length and complexity of the main plot and 1st subplot. Will your main characters become lost? Are the characters populating your story so many that you've created "cardboard cutouts" instead of true, developed identities?

3) To determine how much subplot is too much, base the length on its impact to the story. Try ranking subplots in order to determine when to begin and end them and how many pages to devote. As a general guideline, all subplots together should be no more than half the length of your main plot.

4) Seasoned writers know the subplot must be resolved before the main plot, but options are not limited to the HEA ending found in the primary plot of novels in the romance genre. Subplots that show character growth can be equally satisfying emotionally. And what about a series book? What better way to leave your readers wanting more than to leave a few strands unresolved? One great tip is to make secondary characters with a point of view in your subplot become the hero/heroine of the next book.

5) When you feel your subplot is off balance, try:

*highlighting your manuscript using a distinct color for the subplot. Pluck those pages from the main stack and read through only that color for continuity.

*listing all scenes involved in your subplot. Sometimes seeing the scenes in a numerical context can let you know the ratio of the subplot to the main in terms of space.

*using spreadsheets, index cards, storyboards--anything you can to keep track of subplots. The writing-by-the-seat "pantsers" who cringe at the thought of organized writing can make use of these on the back end, once the first draft is written, to see the subplot's overall picture.

Lastly, if you're planning overarching series plots, keep volumes of notebooks at the beginning. It's far easier to plan subplots at this stage than to write yourself into an impossible corner when editors and readers come clamoring back wanting more.

Visit Alesia's website or online journal to find out more about her upcoming books.

How do you manage subplots?