How to Plant Story Seeds that Pay Off (Tips from a Developmental Editor)

Confused about which plot threads to tie up—and which to let dangle? You’re not alone. Today we discuss when to leave plot threads open, how to track plot threads, and planting story seeds, among other ways of fixing story problems. Listen to Rebecca share her plot structure tips and what makes a good writer great!
Want to know what makes a good writer great? Tune into our writing podcast for authors, where we explore plot structure tips, book editing hacks, and how to self-edit with intentionality. This week’s episode focuses on plot threads, subplots, and story seeds—and how to decide what needs a payoff.
In this episode of the Story Savvy series, developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and aspiring fantasy author Agnes Wolfe [authorsalcove.com] dig into whether you need to resolve everything you foreshadowed—and what to do when you don’t.
In this episode you’ll learn:
How to decide whether to tie up a plot thread or leave it unresolved
Best practices for handling open threads in standalone novels vs. series
The difference between seeds and subplots—and why it matters
How to track emotional payoff and avoid disappointing your readers
The editing power of creating simple lists to manage subplots, characters, and setups
If you’ve ever felt like your ending was almost satisfying—but something was missing—this episode is for you.
Recommended Resources
Need a Developmental Editor? hartboundediting.com
Author’s Alcove Membership: authorsalcove.com
Fantasy Book Giveaway: AuthorsAlcove.org
Chapters
[00:00] Intro
[00:27] Understanding Plot Threads
[01:38] When Not to Tie Up Plot Threads
[03:01] Foreshadowing in Series Writing
[05:03] Best Practices for Leaving Threads Open
[07:36] Tying Up Loose Ends
[09:51] Tracking Seeds and Subplots
[13:23] Understanding Seeds vs. Subplots
[15:30] Ensuring Payoff for Seeds
[18:01] The Importance of Intentionality