How to Use Subplots to Fix a Flat Plot and Add Depth to Your Story
How to Fix a Flat Plot and Add Depth: The Power of Subplots
Have you ever had a fantastic story idea, sat down to write it, only to discover your first draft feels… flat? Maybe the plot seems thin, or worse, your story feels too short. If that sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone.
The solution isn’t padding or filler. It’s subplots.
Why Subplots Are Your Secret Weapon
Subplots do way more than just bulk up your word count. They add depth, build on your themes, increase emotional tension, and make your story feel dynamic and engaging. With the right subplots, your readers won’t just follow your story—they’ll fall in love with it.
Let’s dive into how subplots can transform your story by creating one together.
Meet Susan: A Simple Plot With Big Potential
Imagine Susan, a woman returning to her hometown to sell her late father’s cabin. She wants a clean break from the past—quick in and out—but there’s little conflict or pressure driving the story. That’s our problem: a decent emotional arc without enough tension to hold the reader’s interest.
How do we fix it? By layering in subplots.
Adding Subplots That Echo Your Main Theme
Susan’s main theme is about letting go of the past. Let’s add a subplot with Noah—her ex-boyfriend who lives next door. Her father disapproved of Noah, which led to their breakup. Suddenly, there’s unresolved history and tension that parallels Susan’s main struggle.
This subplot isn’t just a side quest—it reflects and deepens the emotional stakes of the main plot. Maybe Noah is helping repair the cabin, stirring up old feelings and even some romantic tension. This adds layers of emotional complexity and keeps readers hooked.
More Subplots, More Layers
What if, while cleaning out the attic, Susan finds a mysterious box with letters from a woman she’s never heard of? A note addressed to "my daughter" hints at a half-sister she never knew existed. Now we’ve added a mini-mystery subplot about identity and betrayal.
These secrets drip out slowly, giving the story pacing variety and keeping readers curious. Romantic tension, emotional mystery—subplots can shift genre dynamics and deepen engagement without straying from your core theme.
Subplots as Pressure Valves
Subplots work like pressure valves: they can relieve tension or build it up in new ways. When you return to the main story, that emotional payoff hits even harder.
For example, what if the half-sister shows up just as Susan is ready to list the cabin? This creates a new subplot, a foil character, and a clash of values—freedom versus duty. The main plot about selling the house now faces fresh obstacles, making Susan’s choices more compelling.
How to Create Subplots That Work
Choose a supporting character who matters to your protagonist.
Give them a goal that mirrors or challenges the protagonist’s goal.
Map out three key moments: a start, a conflict, and an emotional consequence.
Don’t feel pressure to resolve every subplot right away—especially if you’re writing a series.
Each subplot can add 5,000 to 10,000 words, giving your story richness and volume that agents and readers appreciate.
Keep Your Story Unified and Focused
Great subplots always echo the main theme. They keep your story emotionally focused and unified, helping with pacing by giving readers tension breaks or cliffhangers that pull them forward.
Avoid overloading your story with too many subplots. Use them purposefully to test your characters, force difficult decisions, and reveal new aspects of who they are.
Should Your Characters Succeed or Fail in Subplots?
This is your choice. Maybe a character fails in a subplot but learns something that affects the main plot. Or maybe they succeed, which shifts their motivations later on. Either way, what matters most is character growth—whether subtle or dramatic.
Final Tip: Don’t Pad. Layer.
If your story feels short or flat, resist the urge to pad it with meaningless scenes. Instead, use subplots to add meaningful layers and tension. Subplots are your secret weapon for building a full, emotionally rich novel that agents, publishers, and readers will love.
What’s Your Subplot?
Have you thought of a subplot for your story? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas and how subplots have helped you! And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to like and subscribe for more writing tips.
Happy writing!