HOW TO DO SUBPLOTS - THE RIGHT WAY

[@kbear6797]

Stories, like onions, have layers 😉😉

[@banallcreativity8114]

Like ogres!

[@blacktee31]

Did u just quote Shrek?

[@justseizurealeks]

blacktee31 nah, I don’t think so

[@nishkamoghe2054]

And they make you cry

[@hedgehogz_rockz9325]

@@nishkamoghe2054 I love this comment

[@charitykinsella1971]

I knew I was missing something important for my story, thank you. I’ve been kind of stuck with the plot and the subplots that would go with it, focusing mainly on the main character and what he’s doing but not so much anyone else. This really helped so thank you! ^^

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad you found this video helpful and inspiring, Charity! 💛✨ thank you for watching!

[@charitykinsella1971]

Abbie Emmons Thank you as well!💕❤️💕

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

I wish I was called Charity... Nice name. It's got a good ring to it. Charity Kinsella. Beautiful.

[@cerealmug450]

@@wordsonNewYorkHarbour Surprised I wasn't the only one thinking that, lol

[@Kappukeki3]

I just started using this on my latest book. The characters were the most important thing to me and I had to get them right. Using the CRAI method (lol), it has not only helped me understand exactly what they needed to do, but also helped me hammer out scenes I never thought of before. Thank you for this great advice!!! It really helped this book get into the air.

[@quintessembo]

I wasn't originally going to do a subplot, but I realized that my story needed a good conflict even if it's a children's book. So out came a supporting character who swaps dual POV third person with the protagonist. I'm excited to finish the outline so I can start writing!

[@brandonMstephen]

You have a sense of joy in helping your viewers, and I can already presume you have that excitement in your stories which reminds me of an aspect in the book, "Voice: The Secret Power of Writing," that talked about having genuine joy. Thanks for the explanation! THIS CHANNEL IS AMAZING

[@domokato]

I only write a subplot if it will affect the MC in a big way. I've got 3 in the screenplay I'm working on, and they all have a huge impact. One of them even puts the main plot on pause until it's done, which sounds bad, but it seems to be working fine for readers -- maybe because it contains a number of important revelations. And it's fun when the separate plots finally collide

[@mkrusila]

honestly this should have been the first video to watch when starting to write. agenda, impact. it makes such big sense!

[@thc_goon]

Some of the best content I’ve seen in a while! I had to subscribe!

[@AbbieEmmons]

OMG THANK YOU!! 💛✨

[@bookishwriter9460]

I just give all my side characters entire story arcs with all of the story beats... that probably explains why my novel has 170.000 words... oops😂

[@writerwannabe8778]

Maybe you could use that extra information for another story or a sequel or just another book from another characters perspective.

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

Yeah, I have 9 characters, and they all develop. It’s 530 pages long.

[@kykel4948]

6 POVs, 668 pages. I feel your pain.

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

@@kykel4948 Haha. 8 POVs in my case. (And I tried to leave it on a semi-cliffhanger, and not let them develop too much but still develop a small bit to make way for the sequels that swarm in my head)

[@Garstoxxz]

I have like 14 POVS, obviously I have my main cast, but having this many characters moving around is SO FUN for me to stop haha the first book of my series is 260k words long due to that

[@lilybelleheller]

This was just what I've needed! I'm working on figuring out whether certain subplots actually affect the story, or is it just extra words? This really helped me with that reflection! So thanks! Your videos always seem to time up perfectly with what I'm working. Thanks, and *many waffles*!

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad this video came at the right time for you, Lily! Thank you for watching 💛💛💛

[@ftalmage8435]

this video was so helpful! I've found sometimes the best subplots in my stories have been from finding something I really like about a side character and wanting to make them have more of an impact the story!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Yes - that's such a good point! 😊 I'm so glad you liked this video, thank you!

[@florenceb1031]

This is going to be useful to come back when I'm working on the later novels in my series. The first novel doesn't have much room for subplots, because most of the characters are going to be cannon fodder for the action scenes. Depending on how things go when I write the first draft, I might end up creating a subplot or two involving the supporting characters who survive until the climax. I also have a plot point or two that I could develop into a subplot for the villains.

[@sariningsih4791]

Thank you so much for helping me understand everything about *the subplots/characters!* I write several stories with several subplots. One of my stories had 7 main characters and i've added many subplots inside. The title of the story i did is *Blood Brothers* and it has many *different themes/genres.* Now i know how to write and add many subplots properly and carefully. *THANK YOU* again!

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

Me too! I have eight characters in a fantasy/dystopian world that all develop while solving the mystery of a ninth character who’s gone missing who also helps the protagonist develop while he investigates her disappearance. And that’s only one of the mysteries.

[@sariningsih4791]

@@wordsonNewYorkHarbour WOW! 😲 So interesting! 😃

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

@@sariningsih4791 Thanks

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

I’m also writing the sequel and although I killed off one of my favourite characters and the ninth is still missing, I have a bisexual love triangle but I can’t focus on it because I have 4 other characters with new internal conflicts to develop. Thankfully 1 of them is a pov character ( I have 3 per book from now on. I had 3 major ones in the last one, including my MC and his boyfriend but I introduced characters to my MC from their own perspective)

[@EatBreatheBooks]

this video came at the perfect time! thank you!

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad! 💛

[@MoniqueV119]

I watched one of your videos a few days ago and decided to go back to the very first uploads, working my way up to the recent ones. In between breaks on my writing, I watch one and then write again. I'm usually a silent watcher, lol. *BUT MA'AM. LET ME JUST SAY YOU ARE UHMAZINGGGGGG. THANK YOU.* Let's keep going!

[@HunterGargoyle]

i swear i spend more time watching writing and worldbuilding videos than i do do actually writing lmao... the procrastination is real

[@carterhorton7388]

I like the plague subplot from legend. Absolutely incredible!

[@giuliamendes12]

I'm writing my first project ever and your videos are helping me soooo much! Thank you for the content. Love from Brazil 💖

[@rhett-says-hullo4229]

Draco's character and life as a subplot in the Harry Potter series is one of my favorites.

[@MissRuthina]

I would recommend the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice if you haven't seen it. It's so stinkin' good!

[@themisha1705]

Darcy is 100x better played in that version than in the movie.

[@sktharanibalan9710]

Game of thrones is the best eg of subplots if u ask me considering that many characters with each and every one of them going on their own adventures but even then does not run away from the main arc

[@ofeliaperez4323]

this is perfect because my story is based completely on subplots and at the end they all combine together to be one massive plot thank you!!!

[@dancersupreme3023]

Ofelia Perez that’s such a cool idea! To have a bunch of different sub plots come together to make up one big plot! So cool

[@ofeliaperez4323]

@@dancersupreme3023 thank you it's a but hard tho but its all slowly coming together !

[@psteeg3551]

great stuff, thanks. subplot = character makes perfect sense to give each subplot meaning

[@leonmayne797]

I'm a discovery writer so I don't see myself planning it out like with the CRAI method. But instinctually I do often find myself bringing my subplots together and also bringing them crashing into the main plot so that everything ties together.

[@charizardchaser]

At first I was a discovery writer, but ended up writing draft after draft. Check out JK(Harry Potter)plot method. It smooths out all the main plot and subplots.

[@alisonjacobs8469]

Where do you find that HP plot method?

[@raini0705]

i have a whole bunch of subplots involving various characters (they all tie in to the theme and main plot though not all tie in with the focal protagonist) and I'm having issues organizing everything. can somebody recommend some app or something like a videomaker timeline thingamajig if that exists?

[@Celestialstars0109]

Linda Chan I use scrivener. It’s really helpful and you can load webpages into the program to reference later.

[@StarlasAiko]

There is also Liquid Story Binder. It has a timeline function that allows you to organise the timeline of several plots, sub plots, characters, etc...

[@elinannestad5320]

no but I can lend you a good pair of long-handled pruning shears.

[@uglyluffy7815]

No

[@esterdias6383]

I loved this video! Im back with NaNoWriMo project, so im working hard in the characters, plots and subplots, internal conflicts and everything that makes my history credible! Thanks for the help, like always ❤❤

[@AbbieEmmons]

That's so awesome, Ester! GO YOU 💛✨ I'm so glad you liked this video!

[@davedsilva]

Nice! CRAI=Character, Role, Agenda, Impact

[@L.DacreTynan]

Wow Abbie! I know this isn't the newest vid in your series (I got via the latest "temptation to Aha Moment" vid), but this was JUST what I needed right now ~ I have my MC clearly in mind and he has 2 "crucial" secondary characters, and I had written some back story, solid profile BUT was just so stuck in terms of... relevance - this vid cleared that right up: CRAI is phenomenally amazing! I have SUCH clear idea to write the rest of the first draft now, thank you thank you..... in 3 yrs time WHEN this is published you're going to have to be given a copy of my book and a full credit of thanks in the acknowledgments. With complete thanks. THANK YOU.

[@jeremyfee]

Great video! I would add that not only does the subplot need to somehow impact the main character, but it should be obvious to the reader that it will at some point, have some sort of influence on the main character.

[@brennanboyd8381]

DUDE THANK YOU. I’ve been confused about this. I got it and I know what to do. Also I really like your hair!!

[@ShayanMallick29]

I think good subplots are the key to a good book. The layers, the messages, the agendas, the depth, is just chef's kiss. I'm writing a children's fantasy set in a fantasy land called Elbriech with a kingdom of the same name. It's a trilogy and it has quite a few subplots. My MC, Leah has a brother (Melkolf) who struggles with self-doubt and has his whole subplot, and MC's cousin (Ridley) has a struggle with love and is involved in a romance with the villainess (Gilda) who betrays them. The trilogy is about trust, friendship, worth, and what it takes to be a hero. I love it sm, idk why I randomly started writing this on a KZbin comment

[@jasminado8157]

This video is exactly what needed right now for getting back started with my project :D Thank you!

[@shines9290]

Out of every writing advice channel -besides Brandon Sanderson (of course)- you are my absolute favorite. You deserve so many more views and likes than you already have.

[@theartsyautobot]

Such helpful content! Thank you for giving such wonderful advice! I feel like my story writing skills have much improved after watching your videos, and I’ll definitely keep watching more! Thanks for Sharing!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@newtoatheism5968]

Just watched pandp the other day love the ending so much and lizzy’s mother is hysterical

[@bettyg840]

Me: Immediately liking the video as soon as Abbie says, "What's up..." *Liked*

[@b_l1560]

I want to add a romance subplot for my protagonist’s friend but how would I make that impact the protagonist (I don’t want it so separate their friendship because it wouldn’t fit his character)

[@m.j.henson7235]

Super useful! Made me consider the impact of my sub-plot way more. Thanks. Also the production of these videos are awesome! 🙏😁

[@lindsayh.8503]

Litterally was just watching pride and prejudice today, then saw this video, talk about crazy. Love your content! Keep it up, you are awesome! 👏👏👏👏😁

[@AbbieEmmons]

Oh my gosh what a coincidence!! I LOVE THAT MOVIE :''') thank you so much!!

[@gentlenaa]

Thank you a lot! I saw this video and the one about side characters and it's helping me a lot to improve their arcs. I really love all my characters and I'm so happy I finally can tell if they are going the right path :D

[@detectivefiction3701]

This was a very helpful video! Also, you have beautiful eyes and great décor; I actually have that same electric fan, but in a copper color.

[@petrichor499]

You remind me of Emily Blunt and Keira Knightly mixed into one. Love your videos super useful

[@p51alarcon]

Abbie, you and all of your videos are awesome revelations! Thank you. I desperately needed to understand this subplot description in order to continue writing correctly. I watch many of your instructional videos before I put ideas on paper. Happy New Year!

[@cheerseveryone7542]

Hehe, I just go with the flow

[@leaspeer3323]

I think you just helped me fill a giant hole I didn’t know existed till now! Thank you!!

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad this video helped you!! thanks so much for watching! 💛

[@leaspeer3323]

@@AbbieEmmons I've also downloaded your 3 act outline template:) it's sooo helpful! I used to go with the 7 step outline (Stasis, trigger, blot...) but it didn't go in enough depth. Now its just organizing my new scriviner ;) with all this madness that's supposed to be a novel...

[@MG-vx4rk]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm revising my novel and knowing how to do this is really helpful!

[@Lili_Bengali]

A master class with the great Abbie : I buy it !

[@AbbieEmmons]

Wow thank you!!! 😊💛

[@brownell.landrum]

Love your videos! Question: What about an ensemble story? If you don't have a "main" protagonist? (Or if each reader might identify with a particular character)?

[@elinannestad5320]

i wonder that too - I have a couple of stories in different stages of being created, that feature a bunch of characters. What seems to happen is that the characters form an array, with one becoming my favourite and others receding.

[@faith4745]

My subplots genuinely just sort of show up randomly and evolve into threads that try to take over the whole story, which is probably because I'm so character-driven xD It's both a blessing and a curse, but I love to have a huge and well-rounded cast who all have their own struggles and issues. Awesome video--I might have to try this method (even if it makes me cry har har I'm a hoot) XD

[@AbbieEmmons]

That's so cool though, Faith! It's tricky to write a big cast of characters and still manage to make the reader feel for them. I love what you said about letting each character have their own struggle - that's sooo important. Thanks for watching! 💛✨

[@pedrodelimamiranda]

Very well crafted video and pleasant do watch!

[@TheDreadlockDogMan]

Brilliant help, Abbie. These videos are gems of precise information. So easy to understand and use. Thanks!

[@katheryn.nicole]

Yay! A new video!

[@AbbieEmmons]

This comment brightened my day!! 💛✨ Thank you Katheryn, that means SO much to me! 😊

[@hedgehogz_rockz9325]

The exact same thing happened to me!

[@r.c.c.10]

My script has like 20 subplots. It's crazy because it's an adaptation. The thing is that all of them have happened in the past and end up affecting the present (the main plot), and as it will be a mystery series, the protagonist needs to learn all these past subplots little by little. And I'm really struggling with the way to dose all these massive background plots.

[@AmusinglySaunters]

I only watch My Hero Academia for the Todoroki subplot. Or as I like to call it "Keeping up with the Todorokis" The first season was a struggle to get through TBH

[@oliviaelderberry9423]

My subplots characters will usually in some small way be connected to a main past event. I often do this because then my protagonist will then meet my side character and my side character will be able to tell them about this past event that is important to the story. (The past event I use when I do this usually involves the antagonist)

[@shanteelands332]

Thank you. That was really helpful.

[@nancyemmons7972]

Thank you, Abbie! My short story may become a novel yet!

[@maudebissonnette5968]

Great video! I really like your subplot method, and I realised I constructed mine in a similar way, but with no file or anything. I should probably keep track of them xD

[@AbbieEmmons]

wow that's awesome, Maude! Thank you so much, I'm so happy you liked this video! 💛

[@annadalton1708]

This was so good!! I'm definitely using CRAI

[@melissakepley2524]

Thank you so much. This is awesome and just what I needed. Now can you explain and show how this would LOOK on a plot board or outlined? Please please! I need to see my story in more than my head, but I don’t know how to get it on paper so I can look at it for references.

[@aasiyaali9509]

I loved it!!! It really made sense and was pretty helpful, because I do enjoy writing subplots. Also, welcome back from your hiatus! Hope you have a smashing 2019 🖤🖤🖤

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked this video! 💛✨ I hope you have a smashing 2019 as well!

[@juliaherkel8051]

This makes a lot of sense. I want to use it with a book of mine now 😉

[@AbbieEmmons]

Awesome! Thanks, Julia! 💛

[@Lectoracitónica]

5:36 But sometimes we care about *that* other character more than the protagonist x'D

[@elisa4620]

To me sometimes is OFTEN (so often than liking the MC more is an exception rather than the rule) XD

[@writingwithchrist5026]

I try and make sure my sub plot complements my main plot. Always struggled with this one

[@nicollivaneli]

I really wanted a video talking about the Vilan subplot

[@brandonluker3660]

Thanks for the tips and tools :)

[@dolphone6748]

I have a subplot that entails a character who is friends with the protagonist befriending somewhat of a social outcast, the subplot then changes into a different one that follows him. would that work?

[@annaanderson9421]

This helped me alot!! But question about world building, which i know wasn't in this video, but can you world build if your writing a contemporary realistic romance fiction??

[@emilyeshraghi8197]

Pure gold! Thanks so much! :))

[@bookishwriter9460]

But if my MC doesn't know about what's happening to one of the other characters, how in the world am I supposed to describe what's going on when my book is written from the MC's perspective? By giving hints that my MC doesn't catch but describes anyway for some reason and letting a big reveal happen after a few chapters of hinting and the MC suspecting that something's going on?

[@AbbieEmmons]

Sometimes the most powerful subplots aren't necessarily boldly spelled out in the MC's narrative. For instance, in the example I used of Pride And Prejudice, Lizzy is involved in her sister's life, but obviously can't be aware of EVERY emotion Jane feels. The subplot flows alongside the main plot and affects it, in the end, but Lizzy doesn't constantly know the ins and outs of Jane's feelings and decision-making.

[@bookishwriter9460]

​@@AbbieEmmons Oh, that makes sense, thanks a lot! That also kind of answers my question of how to make clear that a character that isn't the main character is developing. I thought seeing another character reacting differently to something he/she would have reacted differently to before wasn't striking enough for the reader to notice the development. Would it be inappropriate telling if the point of view character notices that another character has changed? Something like "He smashed the car's door in an exceedingly violent way and sat down next to me and continued staring blankly out the window. What was wrong with him? Usually, he would have complained about the man not arriving on time. Did he even notice our new car's seat covers were made from polyester instead of leather?"

[@macraboscratos]

Thanks, you really helped me ☺️

[@VahdaMage]

Awesome videos! finding your channel has helped me immensely! also, you're beautiful :)

[@immaggiethesenilegoldenret7918]

One character: MA, my protagonist’s mother, who experiences an incredible conversion of heart....

[@giseledute]

I just loved it!!! Thank you ♥

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm so glad!! 💛✨

[@malin943]

Great video!

[@henryhamilton9574]

8:45 what is the song? Who knows the song at the end?

[@jascrandom9855]

In Silicon Valley, the Solution to the Season's Problem or Conflict almost always comes from the Comedic Subplot.

[@soringontariu4799]

I have a subplot, and it goes like this: the antagonist does something that impacts a different antagonist that is more important throughout my series but not instrumental to this episode. This one retaliates against the main villain, but what he doesn't realise is that he's stalling for time and indirectly helps the protagonist escape impending doom. Without him, the protagonist would be dead. So, should I keep it?

[@poisoned_ginsing7764]

Interesting, I would keep that. Maybe the antagonist realizes they could momentarily use the protagonist to take out the main villain, all the while plotting to take out the protagonist as well... "Two Birds with One Stone" kinda deal. Or even the antagonist realizes that they aren't a fan of the dark path the main villain treads now, and they want to link with the protagonist in an effort to end the main villain, thus achieving redemption in their arc.

[@deagoldylocks8337]

I do wonder what you think about fanfiction 😄

[@santanasg8445]

Amazing! Will make sure all my subplots in my wip have the crai(😂) method!

[@AbbieEmmons]

Thank you so much! 💛😊

[@zoesthinkeythoughts9131]

Hey Abbie! I have a common writer problem. I have know clue how to make different point of views in a story. It just doesn't make sense. Please help.

[@zoesthinkeythoughts9131]

I don't know how common but I need help

[@AbbieEmmons]

Hey Zoe!! So do you want to tell the story from two different characters' perspectives? A lot of writers don't ever switch characters' point of views. So you could just write it from one character's point of view. I recommend switching over to another character only after they are introduced to the first main character, so that we as the reader know how and why this "second" protagonist is important. I made a video about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqK4mHtthLR1eNU

[@scribblehideout7504]

Does anyone know what the song at the very end of the video is called?

[@PreciousEkezie-y7v]

Hey, what if my sub plot is part of my backstory Like, someone from her past who has engaged and impacted my MC's agenda?

[@SamekySantos]

I have a question... Can my story have MORE THAN ONE theme?

[@mostdefinitelynotaguineapi7566]

I don't see why not, so long as the story remains cohesive.

[@cowsrock1q]

What if you have more than one protagonist? Writing from multiple points of view?

[@AbbieEmmons]

I'm actually going to make a video about this soon, so stick around! ✨ But as far as subplots go you can use the same rule even with two protagonists, just make sure your subplots are directly engaging with or impacting one of them. ;)

[@valstanford3676]

Here’s my summary of my story Summary A few months after the “Tight Fit” episode Ponch was asked to go undercover as a male model for the designer who made the “Barcelona Man” jeans. Ponch’s mom is In town, she fought with his dad, and she is scouting for new locations for her boss who wants to expand the company to the West Coast And here’s the sub-plot (I think) (Bobby’s Rabbit Hole) At the same time, Bobby Nelson couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about the whole situation at Ponch's apartment. He decided to do some investigating of his own to find out what really went down there. Bobby knew Ponch well and trusted his instincts, which was telling him that there was more to the story. Bobby started to feel his energy running low so when he returned home, he went to his little cabinet in his bedroom to find his (stash) and took 2 of his “energy”{Quaaludes} pills from there for the night and started on his journey down the rabbit hole that he was about to create. He wrote out what he saw and what he didn’t see. He started to call the Central to find help with his investigation.

[@soumiayousfi9968]

how many subplots do you think the average novel should have please?

[@cecilewac5778]

Write an 'How to organise your novel plots and characters and blbllblbl' I am BEGGING you. I WILL buy it. TWICE IF NEEDED.

[@Panacea9]

If a lot of people are forced to go into it. Or forced to stay a borderline trying to find a place within themselves in order to live, how do you manage a way out of it if the system changes or gets deleted? I enjoyed targetting those who abused outright and would bully them in trick. It is shitty. I can't see it now unless I go and cause issues. Sometimes subplots is just another plot connected to the start of the story and can be more complex and equally important. As with characters. It is not just like a movie where there is 1 star. I am bored of my part already I am just typing it out.

[@robertah3865]

You would love Durarara (the series and the novels, but the novels are better)

[@ProSkillzDragonGal]

I'm planning a subplot about a side character who sorta makes a love triangle with him, the protagonist and her love interest xD

[@garymyrie5420]

Ok thank you

[@sketchbook8144]

Does the theme that a side character bring has to be learn from the side character and the protagonist or just learn by the protagonist?

[@siah4099]

What are the subplots in The Great Gatsby?

[@captainpinky8307]

4:20 subplots must affect the MC somehow. #Remeberthat ;)

[@captainpinky8307]

Hey Abbie do you know any books with really great subplots that effect the mc?

[@rajeshwarimehrotra9706]

SUB PLOTS: I want this to happen to my side character or what I want him to learn? Does my subplot affect the protagonist, main plot, etc?

[@josiahkeroff9965]

how do you write a subplot from the first person perspective?

[@wolfbird6613]

Abbie hates game of thrones apparently

[@randomrants148]

What if you are creating Isekai, and subplots are just there to explore the world, and moves on to the main plot.

[@oliv8058]

Ik this is meant for OP but I think that sounds good