If You're A Writer You're Supposed To Write A Lot Of Bullshit. It's Part Of The Gig. You Have To Write

having a bad start doesn’t mean everything is ruined. having a bad week doesn’t mean your whole year will be bad. everything could be going wrong right now but you can still have a nice ending.

how to weave subplots into your story without getting tangled in the mess

Subplots: the spicy side quests of your main narrative. They deepen your world, flesh out your characters, and keep things interesting. But if you’ve ever added one and ended up with a story that feels like it’s running in six directions at once… yeah. Let’s fix that.

1. your subplot should serve the main plot

Don’t just throw in a romance arc or a secret sibling reveal because it’s fun (though it is fun). Ask:  

- Does this subplot challenge the main character’s goals?  

- Does it echo or contrast the main theme?  

- Does it change something by the end?

If it’s just a cute side quest with no real impact, it’s fanfic material for your own story. Cool, but maybe not plot-essential.

2. intertwine, don’t parallel

Bad: your subplot exists in a bubble, running beside the plot but never touching it.  

Better: your subplot interacts with the main plot. Maybe it complicates things. Maybe it supports the MC in a moment of crisis. Maybe it explodes everything.

Example: your MC is hunting a killer, and the subplot is their failing marriage. Good subplotting means the stress of the hunt affects the marriage, and the marriage affects the hunt.

3. stagger your arcs

Your main plot might hit its midpoint twist at chapter 10. Have a subplot hit a *smaller* emotional beat around chapter 7 or 13. It keeps pacing dynamic and gives your readers something to chew on between big moments.

4. use subplots to develop side characters

Side characters are more than background noise. Give them wants. Give them stakes. Let their stories *collide* with your MC’s. That’s when the magic happens.

5. know when to shut it down 

Not every subplot needs a 3-act structure and a dramatic finale. Some are small. Some fade out naturally. Some just shift the perspective enough to reframe the main plot. If you’re tying up subplot #6 with a bow in the epilogue, maybe ask yourself if it really needed to be there.

6. outline the spiderweb 

It helps to map out how every subplot connects to the main story. Literally. Draw lines. Make a chaos diagram. It doesn’t have to be neat—just make sure those threads touch.

TL;DR:

Subplots are great. Subplots are juicy. But they’re not decoration—they’re infrastructure. Weave them into the story’s bones or risk writing 3 novels in one.

"i want more media with zero drama, no tension, and zero problematic characters and i am not joking"

Great! Here are my recommendations:

Happy Star Wars day! May the Force be with you! @swsource Star Wars Week: Day 6

Cersei has insane political maneuvers

Shalio sighed with relief and began to approach her. “My lady,” he said, stopping right in front of her. “How are you feeling?” Hayam stared at him for a while. “I’m…I just…” She lowered her head and closed her eyes. “I just miss him already…” A tear began to roll down her face. Shalio instinctively reached his hand out to try and wipe it away, before stopping himself. I can’t, he thought as he lowered his hand back to his side. No matter how hard I want to.

only one bed

morning after dialogue

"Please, don't make this awkward."

"Did you know that you snore quite a lot?"

"We don't have to talk about it."

"You stole my blanket and fought me for it."

"I need to use the bathroom, could you let me go please?"

"See? That was alright, wasn't it?"

"Never thought you would be a cuddler."

"You're seriously like an octopus."

"How did you sleep? I slept surprisingly well."

"I can't feel my arm anymore, you were laying on it all night."

"You are like a furnace, I felt like I needed to get my clothes off."

"Has anyone ever told you that you talk in your sleep?"

"I couldn't leave, you were lying basically on top of me."

"When did you decide that I was the pillow?"

"Can we delay getting up for a few minutes more, please?"

More: bed sharing scenarios + only one bed dialogue

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