9.) JUMP INTO SCENE (Start scene late/close to action)
10.) Get to know the CHARACTER(S) through THOUGHTS & DIALOGUE
11.) Start sentence CLEARLY & END it GRACEFULLY
12.) WRITEACTIONS
13.) End SCENEearly
An artistic arrangement of open books, a journal, a smartphone, and a laptop amidst colorful bookshelves, symbolizing creativity and storytelling. AI generated.
14.) Use METAPHORS, CHIASMUS, PARADOX, PERSONIFICATION, SIMILES, EXPRESSION, ONOMATOPOEIA, INTERJECTIONS, slang & accents in DIALOGUE (conversational terminology, with respect to language & culture)
15.) Use vivid COLORS
16.) EXPANDVOCABULARY (use a variety of words accurately)
17.) FREE MODIFIERS: PRESUMPTIVE & SUMMATIVE
18.) SENSORYDETAIL
19.) ACTIVEVERBS & STRONGNOUNS
20.) Manipulate TROPES
21.) Establish what’s IMPORTANT to the MAINCHARACTER(S) (MC) in the beginning. Let the READERKNOW what THESTORY will be about in the FIRSTCHAPTER.
A vibrant digital illustration capturing a group of diverse individuals engaging with books, technology, and music, surrounded by roses and musical notes. AI generated.
Thank you for reading K.B. Krissy’s blog. Feel free to tap the like 👍🏽or repost 🔁.
Let’s get one thing straight: if your story’s a tree, than the subplot is a branch. It’s the unexpected limb that sticks out there the whole time. You just didn’t see it because of all the leaves, which are like the details of your narrative. If you’re writing fiction and you want your book to be a bestseller, you need to master the art of the subplot.
So, what’s a subplot? A simple definition is written in a larger font below. Think of it as the narrative’s side story, giving your characters extra dimension and your readers more reasons to binge-read. It’s the layers that reveal who your main character (MC) really is when life happens.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a good example of a novel with compelling subplots. The central romance between two magicians is gorgeous. However, the subplots are just as interesting. There are rivalries among the circus performers. A young boy slowly faces his fate after he stumbles into the circus tent. There’s the mysterious clockmaker’s backstory, too.
Another great example is The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. The MC is Hiram Walker—a young man with a gift for “conduction,” teleporting slaves to freedom. His subplot journey is an awaited reunification with his mother, who vanished years ago. Every memory, every half-truth he uncovers about her life and his birth stretches out the plot.
A subplot might not change the main outcome, but it gives readers an opportunity to see the world through your MC’s eyes. Sure, you might get away without one in a short story—especially if you’re laser-focused on a single, powerful theme. Yet, a novel without a subplot? That’s like a playlist with only one song.
A subordinate plot in a novel, or similar work.
Three characters in an urban setting, contemplating life and their intertwining stories. AI generated.
You know that saying, “If it ain’t one thing, it’s another?” That’s real life—and it’s what makes stories feel authentic. Imagine a world where nothing ever happens except the one thing you planned. Boring, right?
Living in a world with just nouns is flat. A hat, the moon, a doctor. Verbs set nouns into motion. Yet, adjectives and adverbs make stories amazing. That’s how subplots work! The plot brings a beginning, middle and end into existence while the subplot brings the narrative to life. They let your characters live in full color, not just black-and-white. As Whitney Hemsath puts it:
“Main plot is the what. Subplot is the why.”
Let’s break down why a killer subplot is your book’s secret weapon:
1) Story Dynamics—Ever had one of those days where everything happens at once? That’s the energy a subplot brings—realism, unpredictability, and momentum. Life doesn’t follow a single track, and neither should your story. Subplots mimic that “always-on” hustle and keep your pacing alive.
2) MC’s Growth— Subplots force your main character to face side challenges, make tough choices, and reflect on what really matters. This is where the character arc gets juicy. Readers don’t just see change—they feel it, like they’re growing alongside your protagonist. That’s real engagement.
3) Raises Stakes— A subplot turns your story into a high-stakes game. Suddenly, your hero isn’t just chasing love or justice—they’re also risking friendships, careers, or their own identity. These extra complications are what keep readers glued to the page, desperate to see how it all shakes out.
4) Subtle Twist— In thrillers, subplots are where red herrings hide. In every genre, they’re the misdirection, the clever sleight-of-hand that keeps readers guessing. Subplots offer a narrative breather from the main action while discreetly setting up those jaw-dropping twists.
Here’s why this matters: Readers crave stories that are believable, have depth, and immerse them into an unforeseeable well-written adventure. They want the full experience—every setback, every breakthrough, every side quest. A well-crafted subplot is the difference between a story that’s just “meh” and one that’s totally phenomenal. So, start brainstorming your killer subplot now—and watch your story go from basic to unforgettable.
A smiling woman writes in a notebook by the ocean, AI generated.
Thank you for reading K.B. Krissy’s blog. Feel free to tap the like 👍🏾 or repost 🔁.
Do you enjoy making up stories, producing novels, or publishing blog posts? If so, then you’re probably like me. I love blogging for you all, but creative writing is truly my jam! There’s this thrill in building a script or novel from scratch. There’s an opportunity for originality, to be one with your work. Authentic writing has a style it carries. Literary and genre art are inventive, giving us writers space to layer our narratives in lush poetic language. Your work can cause people to feel your stories, depending on how you design them. That’s the magic of writing: when your words don’t just sit on the page. They move people, even if only for a moment.
If you’ve ever read a good book that grabbed you and wouldn’t let go, you know what I mean. Those stories exist! They’re out there. The ones that seem to reach inside your chest and tug at your heart. Writing like that doesn’t happen by accident. It takes skill, intention, and a real grasp of technique. That’s why I’m happy to share with you 21 poetic techniques that will help shape your prose into something amazing:
#1.) ALLITERATION—repeating the same initial consonant sounds in nearby words to create rhythm and emphasis (ex: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers).
#2.) METAPHORS—a figure of speech, a word or phrase is applied to an object or action, comparing two things by saying one is the other, even though it isn’t literally true.
#3.) SIMILES—a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more vivid, linked by words, ‘as’ and ‘like’.
#4.) HAIKU—a traditional Japanese form of short poetry, consisting of three lines with a 5, 7, 5 syllable structure, focusing on nature, using simple evocative imagery.
#5.) ANALOGIES—a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
#6.) ASSONANCE—in poetry, the repetition of the sound of a vowel.
#7.) RHYME—correspondence of sound between word endings of words, especially when these are used at the ends of lines of poetry.
#8.) ONOMATOPOEIA—the formation of a word from a sound (ex: pow, boom, bang).
#9.) PARADOX—a seemingly simple or self-contradictory statement or idea that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
#10.) PERSONIFICATION—the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something nonhuman, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
#11.) OXYMORON—a figure of speech, contradictory terms are in conjunction (ex: smart dummy).
#12.) HYPERBOLE— exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
#13.) PUN—a joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings.
#14.) IDIOM—a figure speech, a phrase having a meaning not intended from the individual words, not literal (ex: raining cats and dogs, see the light ).
#15.) SYMBOLISM—the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.
#16.) TONE/MOOD—the attitude of a place, piece of writing, situation, etc.
#17.) DICTION/SYNTAX—the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
#18.) EPITHET—a descriptive phrase expressing a characteristic of a person or thing.
#19.) FORESHADOWING—be a warning or indication of (a future event).
#20.) PASTORAL—a work of literature portraying an idealized natural setting.
These literary devices can turn any decent piece into something unforgettable. My personal favorites are metaphors, similes, personification, and pastoral excerpts. I enjoy incorporating nature into my work because the natural world is a form of poetry in itself. I don’t get enough of describing various settings and composing vivid pastures. If you want to get the best out of writing, experiment with these tools, and learn how to weave them into your next story. You may just surprise yourself—and your readers.
Thank you for reading K.B. Krissy’s blog. Feel free to tap the like 👍🏽 or repost. ☺️
The people I want to call my favorites don’t exist—at least, not in my world, yet. Sometimes I meet them in the pages of the stories I craft, but what I really want is for them to exist. I picture this magnetic network: writers, dreamers, innovators, all riffing off each other’s energy. Maybe it’s not even a big network—maybe it’s just five genuine friends, sprawled on a couch, laughing about nothing and everything.
What matters is the vibe! 🥳 We’d show up for one another, open doors for each other, make room for everyone to shine. A crew of creators who actually give and take. That idea lights my fire! Does a group like this exist? If you know one, point me in their direction. Those are the ones I’d want to give my best hours to—the ones I’d want to meet for coffee, just to find out what makes them tick.
I imagine us as a magnificent mix of listeners and thinkers. We never hoard ideas—we toss them around, swap stories, and blurt out puns on purpose. If I were a little braver, I’d seek those people out. I’d chase them down for their time, their friendship, their perspectives. I’d follow them anywhere, and hope they’d follow me back. That’s the kind of community I crave. A place where everyone gets to win! 🏆
There are many people looking for your story to inspire them— your point of view, your ideas, the journey of your life, the obstacles you’ve overcome, and the narratives you’ve created.
If you write it with intention, they may even feel it. You might really move someone or that might’ve been just what they needed to read.
So, write for us . . . the people who are going to love your work. We exist. I promise.
I’m excited to share three quick tips that’ll help you write with more clarity and intention. If you’ve ever browsed my site, you know I’m all about sparking writer enthusiasm. No matter what kind of document you’re working on. These basics can lift any words and make them pop off the page.
Tip #1. PURPOSE
Every piece of writing needs a reason to exist. Whether you’re tackling an assignment, jotting down thoughts, or drafting emails, ask yourself: What am I trying to say? Are you informing, entertaining, expressing, or persuading? Even when you’re not writing about big emotions, there’s always a purpose behind your words. Stay focused on your main point and let it guide everything else. Purposeful writing keeps you from rambling and gives your work real impact.
Tip #2. PRACTICE
Like anything else, writing gets easier—and better—the more you do it. I write often, sometimes just to keep my mind sharp or to try out new styles. I’ve even dabbled in the world of grant writing (which, if you know—it’s pretty damn comprehensive). Every word you put down is a step forward. And don’t forget, reading and writing go together—one sharpens the other.
Tip #3. READ
Reading is non-negotiable, full stop. Whether it’s novels that sweep you away or the endless scroll of comments online, every bit of reading fuels your ability to communicate. In a year like 2026, with the world spinning as it is, a good book can be the perfect escape. The more you read, the more tools you have to bring your own writing to life.
If you remember nothing else, remember this: “Your words, your rules.” Write what excites you. To every writer, blogger, and reader out there—write messy, edit hard, and claim your narrative. Stick with it, even when it’s tough. Every draft is a step closer to something great. You’ve got this!
Thank you for reading K.B. Krissy’s blog. Feel free to tap the like or repost. 😊
