Subplots

I spent the earlier part of my writing career producing short stories.  Consequently, I didn't have to deal with subplots.  A short story may have  (and should have, if you ask me) layers, backstory, rounded characters, and the potential for multiple interpretations.  A short story may be complex; it may contain plot twists.  But there usually just isn't room for entire subplots.  A novel, on the other hand, generally does need subplots, no matter how compelling the main storyline is.

Subplots re