Comments on: 5 Questions to Ask Before Adding a Subplot

By: 🖋 Writing Links Round Up 4/28 – B. Shaun Smith

🖋 Writing Links Round Up 4/28 – B. Shaun Smith — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:45:43 +0000

[…] 5 Questions to Ask Before Adding a Subplot […]

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:14:55 +0000

In reply to Raven S.. Logic is always hard for me when it comes with having to REVISE. A lot of authors adore revisions, why I do them grudgingly. I do them, but like you...the feeling is sometimes an "ouch."

By: Raven S.

Raven S. — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:51:05 +0000

Thanks for this article, it had some really good questions! Admittedly it’s really hard to look at logic when it comes to subplots, because you can get so tangled up in your emotions with the characters when you write, that it is really hard to take that step back and evaluate.

Ironically enough, my subplot that I keep on going back and forth on does at a LOT to the story… however it also adds an entirely different genre facet to the world. Which is really interesting, and definitely possible, however… it fails to answer the last, and arguably most important question that you asked, in a positive manner.

Which, I will admit, very much hurts. 😂

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 03:45:41 +0000

In reply to Janice Hardy. Thanks for circling back and clarifying, Janice. You're the best!

By: Janice Hardy

Janice Hardy — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 12:31:18 +0000

In reply to Janice Hardy. Oh shoot! I just saw I said "doesn't" and I meant "does establish the stakes." I'm so sorry!

By: Fantasy and Time-Travel in Romances by Loleta Abi – A Dash of Words with Loleta Abi Time-Travel Fantasy Romance Author

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:07:57 +0000

[…] in the Storm: 5 Questions to Ask Before Adding a Subplot Subplots can add depth and resonance to a story, but sometimes, they just knock the whole novel off […]

By: Edward Denecke

Edward Denecke — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:44:35 +0000

YOU'VE HELPED SO MANY OF US BECOME BETTER WRITERS! If you could see how often in my outline there are notations like this: " - See what Janice Hardy has to say about this", you would smile! Thanks for all you do to help us become better writers. This article about subplots is another one that I will refer to, for sure.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:56:46 +0000

My editor had me do rewrites for the same issue! I added subplots that didn't feed into the main plot and still have this concern. Thanks for helping.

By: Janice Hardy

Janice Hardy — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 13:16:34 +0000

In reply to Matthew. Nothing says they can't do both :) Those random walks can lead to wonderful places.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:59:03 +0000

Thank you. Good essay, good questions! Has a subplot led me astray? Yes. In my defense I can say only that, in the end, they add to the texture of the novel's ending... I hope