tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post3365642903786300235..comments2023-10-31T11:01:21.161-05:00Comments on *Lynnette Labelle* @Chatterbox Chitchat: Why Use Subplots?Lynnette Labellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03227593491562480538noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-37765162279263870542010-01-22T00:25:36.197-06:002010-01-22T00:25:36.197-06:00I have two in my first novel, and I think they do ...I have two in my first novel, and I think they do bring out more of the MC's backstory while avoiding the infamous "info dump".<br /><br />The sequel, however, doesn't seem to have a back story. Maybe I should see why that is.<br /><br />Hmm, thanks for the insight.<br /><br />..........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-6291731168494442262010-01-18T02:08:25.837-06:002010-01-18T02:08:25.837-06:00Great points, here. Subplots aren't something...Great points, here. Subplots aren't something I've spent a lot of time considering, as I'm in the first draft of my manuscript (and so far yet to go). <br /><br />Thanks for this post!*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-77459964313531034612010-01-15T18:37:28.125-06:002010-01-15T18:37:28.125-06:00Lynnette,
Great post. Some great comments also. W...Lynnette,<br /><br />Great post. Some great comments also. With my WIP, I see two subplots emerging.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-6710714835264676902010-01-15T11:48:08.682-06:002010-01-15T11:48:08.682-06:00I linked to this post and neglected to mention her...I linked to this post and neglected to mention here how much I liked this one. I'd never considered why a novel-length story needs subplot, but you state it very succinctly.writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-21464117537017520832010-01-15T11:09:01.109-06:002010-01-15T11:09:01.109-06:00I never really plan the subplots ahead of time - t...I never really plan the subplots ahead of time - they just pop up from out of nowhere! I try to limit them to one or two, to keep the story going or add depth to the supporting characters.Julie Daohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13814052162359300933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-31903613737053012282010-01-15T10:29:58.298-06:002010-01-15T10:29:58.298-06:00O.k. major type-o in my comment. Sorry! I had too ...O.k. major type-o in my comment. Sorry! I had too much coffee. I meant to type that it's cool when a subplot develops and I didn't plan it!Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-28383408501034546782010-01-15T10:28:58.865-06:002010-01-15T10:28:58.865-06:00Great post, Lynette! And you know what I love? Whe...Great post, Lynette! And you know what I love? When I'm writing a subplot develops that I didn't plan. I don't know how that happens, but every once in awhile it does.Clementinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745982305618408952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-44523159671671818272010-01-15T10:22:20.367-06:002010-01-15T10:22:20.367-06:00Seems like everyone has some subplots in their sto...Seems like everyone has some subplots in their stories. Good job, guys!<br /><br />Lynnette LabelleLynnette Labellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227593491562480538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-81565588614378752232010-01-15T08:17:28.116-06:002010-01-15T08:17:28.116-06:00I have to write my rough draft before my subplots ...I have to write my rough draft before my subplots really show themselves to me... I wish I could start out from the get-go knowing!!<br /><br />I have an award for you on my blog today, I hope it makes you happy :)Diana Pazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04368186068872293410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-12992741902930500012010-01-14T22:49:38.712-06:002010-01-14T22:49:38.712-06:00I have two - the twist and to drive the story forw...I have two - the twist and to drive the story forward. (of course, I didn't realize this until I read your post!) :-)Shannon O'Donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299313309059235876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-45453702592239433432010-01-14T20:57:53.948-06:002010-01-14T20:57:53.948-06:00My subplots usually emerge as I write. As the char...My subplots usually emerge as I write. As the characters start interacting, I'm able see what the subplots are.DawnBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01832968456583190918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-35817474616705148092010-01-14T14:31:12.430-06:002010-01-14T14:31:12.430-06:00I have the opposite problem from the previous comm...I have the opposite problem from the previous comments...I tend to focus so much on getting the main plot out that sub-plots are an "afterthought" for me. I have to consciously add them after the fact (something I'm doing in revisions right now, actually). Because I've become cognizant of the fact, I'm making an effort to add them into my outline for the next draft, so I (hopefully) won't have so much work to do in revisions. ;-) <br /><br />I'm adding four sub-plots to my current draft...and there are around that many planned for the next novel as well.Jamie D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05486427517423813962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-90878746443256339622010-01-14T13:19:12.041-06:002010-01-14T13:19:12.041-06:00I *clears throat* like to pretend that I have some...I *clears throat* like to pretend that I have some control over my sub-plots. I usually have at a bare minimum 5 subplots going on at any given point in time. <br /><br />The problem with NOT controling them is that someetimes, you can have waaaaaaaaay too many and THAT detracts from your plot. THEN you have so many, you forget to tie up one or two loose ends.<br /><br />However, in my head, I never have that problem. I have a MAXIMUM of 5 subplots in my story and I have complete control over them!<br /><br />FrankieSM Bloodinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09971299586092717838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-65989887902723621122010-01-14T13:05:45.940-06:002010-01-14T13:05:45.940-06:00I have about five. They added the needed mystery a...I have about five. They added the needed mystery and tension.V. Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406440235719919992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-11651436025490936082010-01-14T13:01:30.990-06:002010-01-14T13:01:30.990-06:00My problem is that I love subplots. I love them so...My problem is that I love subplots. I love them so much that I put too many in my novel, distracting the reader from the main through-line. hah When I use them they're usually to further growth of the protagonist or to drive the story forward. On a good day, I have around 2 or 3 subplots, but if I allow myself to get too excited, I end up with around 10. WAY too many! hahStef Howertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14361466229507887214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-64902537787806298792010-01-14T12:26:54.002-06:002010-01-14T12:26:54.002-06:00I'm still trying to decide on how many to have...I'm still trying to decide on how many to have, but at least two and possibly three. They will provide comedy, paint a better picture of the MC, and of course, danger. : )Kimberly Franklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13957037411750752950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-7100492218134791812010-01-14T11:06:38.534-06:002010-01-14T11:06:38.534-06:00I usually have at least two. Sometimes I plan them...I usually have at least two. Sometimes I plan them ahead of time and sometimes they just show up.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687047513163296827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7716443587185617804.post-36728286317942212942010-01-14T11:01:13.231-06:002010-01-14T11:01:13.231-06:00I have two. Comic relief and a twist.I have two. Comic relief and a twist.Catherine Dentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13771249741266703689noreply@blogger.com