To Cut a Subplot or Not to Cut a Subplot

The action at the Climax is big and external and life or death and... well, it's great. The scene sounds like the culmination of exciting action in a truly exotic setting. We move from the dramatic action plot to the character emotional development plot -- or, in other words, why the protagonist does what she does at the climax and what her actions mean to the story overall. By the gaps and questions she has, I understand she's written the first draft primarily from the dramatic action and the correct historical point of view.

With probing and support, she establishes the character emotional development arc. In doing so, she knows who the character is throughout the story and how to begin incrementally showing her true transformation as she enters the final quarter of the story.

We establish the other key scenes and begin plotting out scenes from beginning to end. As we do, the writer throws out a subplot, entirely. Later she throws out another. Granted she is a bit nervous about having too many subplots. Still, before she cuts for cutting's sake, I'd like her to consider the subplots for what they contribute to the story thematically. I'd like her to consider all her plotlines for what they contribute to the story thematically.

She's written an entire draft and ended up with the bones of a fantastic story. Her first rewrite is a terrific time to begin searching for themes and how plots and subplots help tie the themes together and bring meaning to the story overall.

For an in-depth resource to all the questions to ask about theme when writing a novel, memoir, screeplay, refer to  The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories.

AND

Watch Thematic Significance Playlist at How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?

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PW BOOK AND WORKBOOK GIVEAWAY!
Sue Bradford Edwards of WOW! Women on Writing Blog has written a wonderful review of the PW book and workbook by showing how she used the resources with her own story. We are giving away 3 The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master and 3 The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

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Knowing what to write where in a story with a plot allows for a more loving relationship with your writing. Whether writing a first draft or revising, if you falter wondering what comes next in a story with a plot, follow the prompts inThe Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing

Today, I write.

To familiarize yourself with the basic plot terms used here and in the PW Book of Prompts:

1) Watch the plot playlists on the Plot Whisperer Youtube channel.
2) Read The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3) Fill out the exercises in The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
4) Visit:
Blockbuster Plots for Writers
Plot Whisperer on Facebook
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