Building Several Plots

Certain stories only have one plot. But it is frequent for a story to have several. When this is the case, we talk about a main plot for the action the hero tries to carry through, and subplot for the threads related to the hero’s love life, family life, relationships, work, sporting habits or religion if they aren’t precisely the subject of the film. The subplot enriches the main plot, often providing a more “personal” dimension to the story.

EXERCISE 34 Structure each of your subplots with a beginning, middle and end.

The subplot scenes fit in between the main plot scenes depending on how you tell the account.

HELP You don’t have to develop several plots. And if you decide to do so, be careful not to create too many. Construct your subplots with the same care you construct your main plot. The subplot is more simple and shorter than the main plot to which it is necessarily connected. Don’t develop a subplot if it bears no relation to your main plot.