How to create a complex, intricate, compelling narrative
You know a novel needs subplots, and you know that they shouldn’t take over the main story. Great subplots buoy the main narrative, show different facets of the theme, help create rounded characters, and show different sides of your main characters.
The perfect subplots are so entwined with the main story that they couldn’t be pulled out without everything falling apart. And, by their interweaving, plot and subplots create higher narrative tension and greater reader buy-in to the story and the characters’ lives.
Sounds great, right?
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Duration 1
This is an online self-paced seminar
Duration:
1.5 hours. Your 12 months’ access begins straight away
Seminar presenter: Pamela Freeman $65 | |||||
But…
- Are you unsure about what a subplot is, or how you should insert it into your main narrative?
- Which characters should have subplots?
- How much of the narrative should they take up?
- How do you manage them so everything comes together in the climax?
- Do they even need to have some relationship to the climax?
This online seminar is perfect for anyone who’s ever asked themself any of these questions – or a dozen more!
Because it’s not enough to know what subplots should do—the big challenge is HOW to write them. How to use them to increase the stresses on your main characters. How to decide which subplots are right for you. How to come up with them in the first place!
“Pamela broke down this tricky and sometimes intimidating subject into logical parts, explaining it in a practical, relatable and inspiring way.”
Samantha Wilson
This Focus On… seminar is a deep dive into how to create and control your subplots so that they:
- bolster and enrich your main narrative,
- round out your main characters and secondary characters,
- increase narrative tension,
- show different facets of your major theme, and
- are just as gripping as the main story.
“I can see clearly how subplots add value to my story and what I can do to maximise these. Pamela has so much experience and knowledge. Her explanations of structure, texture, creating narrative tension and more are invaluable. I would recommend the AWC to anyone looking to write across any genre.”
Rosie McMahon
In this FOCUS ON seminar
Pamela focuses on writing subplots into your story to create a complex, intricate, compelling narrative. Each FOCUS ON seminar explores an important aspect of the art of writing – in an accessible and efficient way. The session consists of a 1 hour expert presentation plus an additional 30 minute Q&A – designed to entertain, educate and inspire you to improve your craft.
“Until I recognised the necessity of subplots, I didn't understand the importance of them. Pamela's seminar has reinforced my understanding, and provided extra valuable information that I can apply to my own work.”
Gail Leighton-Daly
Meet your presenter
Pamela Freeman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 40 books and novellas, plus short stories and scripts. She writes under two names: Pamela Freeman for children’s and fantasy, and Pamela Hart for mystery novels and historical fiction.
Prolific across multiple genres, Pamela has a Doctorate in Creative Arts (Writing) and she has been the director of creative writing here at the Australian Writers' Centre for over 10 years.
| Key information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key information: | |||||
Duration 1
This is an online self-paced seminar
Duration:
1.5 hours. Your 12 months’ access begins straight away
Seminar presenter: Pamela Freeman $65 | |||||
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