How to Track Subplots in a Novel
Subplots get dropped when they run beside the main story instead of into it. Here is how to track every subplot, connect setups to payoffs, and stop threads tangling.
Daniel Osei
Story Structure Consultant
Daniel Osei has spent about ten years helping novelists and screenwriters find the shape of their stories before they start drafting. He studied comparative literature at Edinburgh, then trained in narrative design for games. His method borrows from film editing, comic panelling, and architectural planning - he wants writers to see their plots spatially, not just as a list of scenes. He has coached writers through NaNoWriMo and run workshops at literary festivals in London and Lagos. He keeps coming back to one idea: laying a story out visually changes how you think about pacing and cause-and-effect.
Areas of Expertise
Visual plot mappingStory architectureNarrative pacingMulti-thread story designNovel outlining
Articles by Daniel Osei
Hero's Journey Template: A Visual Guide to the 12 Stages
See all 12 stages of the hero's journey mapped as a visual story structure, with film examples and a free template you can adapt for any genre.
Visual Plot Mapping for Writers
Learn how visual plot mapping helps writers spot structural problems, track cause and effect, and build stronger narratives.
5 Story Structure Templates Every Writer Should Know
Three-act, Save the Cat, the hero's journey, the Story Circle, and Kishotenketsu, explained with examples and a clear way to pick the right structure for your story.