Weaving The Narrative Web: Plot, Subplot, and Theme
Plot, subplot, and theme all work together to weave a complex and lifelike story. The plot is your primary story with all the essential elements that get you from beginning to end while the subplot is a smaller secondary story that adds extra elements to the story but doesn’t directly contribute to the main plot. Finding the right balance between plot and subplot is key to conveying theme and creating a compelling story.
What is Plot?
Plot can be described as the main sequence of events that drive the story forward. With any story, you start out with your character in their current life living with a sense of wanting for something or trying to live around an obstacle. What happens next? Your character is given the chance to remove the obstacle or get the thing they want. And so the story moves forward.
An example of a main plot would be from The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom to save Middle-earth from Sauron’s dominion.
What is Subplot?
The Subplot is a secondary storyline that complements or contrasts the main plot. Often the subplot will focus on a relationship, personal growth for the main character, or a smaller conflict. There can be more than one subplot. For example, The Lord of the Rings theres Aragorn’s journey to accept his role as king and reclaim the throne, Sam and Frodo’s growing friendship, and the political conflict in Rohan as Saruman manipulates King Theoden.
What about theme?
Theme is your story’s underlying message or the concept your story explores an gives the story a lasting impact for the reader. Using The Lord of the Rings for another example, themes can include corruption from greed or the value of friendship and unity. Every decision your character makes and every outside force contributes to the theme.
All together then, the plot engages readers with action and conflict and propels the story. The Subplot adds emotional depth and character growth, while the theme provides meaning and resonance. Working together these elements keep readers engaged and emotionally invested.
Creating a balance
Outline your main plot first determining what your character needs and wants, how they will achieve it, and how things will end. Once you have the main plot, create at least one subplot that builds off of the main plot. Consider your character's flaws and any personal development the subplot could highlight. Are there supporting characters that your protagonist could form a romantic or platonic relationship with? Your subplots should feel relevant and avoid distracting from the main storyline.
While you can have an idea of what theme you want to convey before planning, more than likely your theme will emerge organically through character actions and plot outcomes. Take a look at stories you have read in the past. In hindsight, what is the theme and what character actions and plot events supported and conveyed that theme?
Development questions
Identify 3 moments where your story reinforces its theme. Are they subtle or overt?
Does this subplot enrich the main story or its theme?
These elements all come together to build the very foundation of your story. After plotting and writing your first draft, as you begin revising your story, consider how each scene affects your plot and core theme. Share your story on StoryForge to get feedback from other readers and writers.
