Today I want to discuss the difference between what I call “side quests” versus subplots.

What’s the distinction? A subplot connects with the main plot in (usually multiple) ways and affects the main plot. It’s one of the threads that compose the main plot, so to speak.

A side quest does not connect so much with the main plot. It is its own story off on the side, out of the way, not impacting main events.

It is an episode in a series of episodes, maybe, each beginning and ending without affecting the others, such that they could be arranged in any order and it wouldn’t change things much, if at all.

You don’t generally want side quests in a novel. You want subplots.

Take, for instance, the subplot of Norbert the baby dragon in the first Harry Potter book.

This could have been a side quest of sorts, except when Harry, Ron, and Hermione get caught bringing Norbert to Charlie Weasley and his coworkers at the Astronomy Tower, they get detention, which means going to the Forest, and what they learn while in the Forest most definitely advances the main plot of the story. Not to mention it solidifies their friendship with Hagrid, which is critical for the rest of the series.

So remember when you write fiction: subplots, not side quests. If you have something that is borderline a side quest, find some way to tie it in more with the main plot line. Create another point of contact.

Does your character learn something on the side quest? They should need that knowledge or skill in the main plotline.

Do they meet someone on the side quest? Bring that character back to serve the main plot.

The possibilities are endless!