subplots
Stories within stories
Subplots are secondary storylines within a larger narrative.
While the main plot drives the central action, subplots develop supporting characters, explore related themes, or provide contrast and comic relief.
A romance between minor characters might unfold alongside the hero's quest.
In drama, subplots often mirror or comment on the main action: The subplot with the servants parodies the nobles' love triangle.
Good subplots enrich rather than distract.
Character's past narrative
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- arcCurved line segment
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- interweavingCrossing strands alternately
twist · revelation · prologue · epilogue · climax · denouement · motif · divergence
Stacked levels or coatings
- interweavingCrossing strands alternately
- multifacetedHaving many dimensions
- intricacyState of elaborate complexity
- tapestryDecorative woven wall cloth
entanglement · convergence · interplay · multiplicity · web · threads · braiding · juggling
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
- secretsConcealed information
- schemesCrafty organized plans
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
clandestine · deception · betrayal · double-cross · covert · sabotage · collusion · treachery
Opposition between parties
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
discord · friction · struggle · confrontation · escalation · stakes · cliffhanger · unresolved
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- will-they-won't-theySustained ambiguity about coupling
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- jealousyResentful desire for another's advantages
unrequited · entanglement · chemistry · suitor · paramour · tryst · shipping
backstory
Character's past narrative
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- arcCurved line segment
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
interweaving · twist · revelation · prologue · epilogue · climax · denouement · motif · divergence · characterization
layers
Stacked levels or coatings
- interweavingCrossing strands alternately
- multifacetedHaving many dimensions
- intricacyState of elaborate complexity
tapestry · entanglement · convergence · interplay · multiplicity · web · threads · braiding · juggling · intersecting
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
maneuvering · clandestine · deception · betrayal · double-cross · covert · sabotage · collusion · treachery · blackmail
conflict
Opposition between parties
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- complicationFactor that adds difficulty
rivalry · discord · friction · struggle · confrontation · escalation · stakes · cliffhanger · unresolved · simmering
affair
Romantic entanglement outside commitment
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- will-they-won't-theySustained ambiguity about coupling
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
jealousy · unrequited · entanglement · chemistry · suitor · paramour · tryst · shipping
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- storytelling elementscliffhangers, suspense, tension, drama, conflict
- thriller elementstwists, suspense, tension, anticipation, cliffhanger
- editing termscopy editing, line editing, corrections, revision, markup
- Hidden Meaningssubtext, hidden meaning, coded messages, secret codes, cipher
- television drama topicscliffhangers, character arcs, showrunners, screenwriting, teleplays