PLOT this!

you don't just work your job. your life has subplots

Subplots

You don’t just work your job.

Like the people we write about and for in our books, we authors live life with subplots

.

That might include

Gardening

Roller skating

Eating fish tacos every Wednesday

Boating only in early fall

Horseback riding through a field

Gaming with our son

Flying kites with our girls

Scuba diving

You get the idea.

We live life.

As authors, and your characters do too.

Each book’s main plot needs to include at least 3 subplots.

[like the British mystery series, Endeavor]

Subplots weave together the nuance of the main theme and storyline.

In nonfiction, it’s extra support material that provides evidence for your thesis statement, how you help your readers.

In memoir, it could be the tension between you + someone/thing else.

In fiction, it’s a variety of events + actions that propel the plot forward.

Subplots are incredibly insightful and exciting.

I find all kinds of them when working with my authors.

The current subplot I'm working with now takes readers through the streets of Mumbai: rickshaws, taxis, bright colors, and an escape.

Another subplot includes financial questions in an end-of-life leader’s guide (accompanies a workbook/study).

Another subplot I will be working with includes a church nextdoor to a satanist group.

>>> What’s a subplot in your life, story, message? What meaning do you see there?