Goat Voyeurs and UFOs are Everywhere and Why You Should Write B Stories

Screenwriter Blake Snyder and his Save the Cat method really made the term/lingo “B” story and “A” story super popular. And I think sometimes that damn “B” story gets us all confused a bit, right?

So, basically let’s just go over the terms first.

WHAT THE HECK IS AN A STORY AND A B STORY?

The A story is the book or movie’s big essence. People call it the “dramatic” core. It is the big plotline that the hero of the story follows on her journey.

The B story is the subplot basically. It supports the “A” story. It sometimes feels absolutely unrelated.

The FlyingWrestler blog defines it.

“It’s a secondary story that has its own beginning, middle and end, and is focused on its own problem, separate from but intertwined with the A Story.”

The scriptmag writes ,

“The B Story is your character’s secondary motivation or mission – the OTHER thing they have to accomplish. Your B Story may be a second problem or issue that your main character has to fix. And while your A-Story presents itself at the inciting incident and is solidified at the end of the first act with the acceptance of the adventure, your B-Story often can’t be identified UNTIL the second act begins, because it’s what is illuminated by the adventure beginning.

The FlyingWrestler blog again says,

“Just like the main A Story, the B Story’s main character should have a problem involving something external, which has its own significant life stakes. That means the problem isn’t only an internal issue, involving their need to grow and change in some way.”

So, the question becomes: Does my story have a B story? Or is it all A?

You don’t have to have a B story, but it can be helpful.

For more about this and the rest of the notes, check out our blog. You should like and subscribe over there to get more writing tips and weirdness. 

WRITING TIP OF THE POD

Don't be afraid to be complicated. A good novel isn't a picture book and you want there to be a subplot.

DOG TIP FOR LIFE

Don't be a one-trick wonder. Have multiple goals and live life to the fullest. Don't just be an A story.

THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IN RANDOM THOUGHTS

For more about Lego theft, check out here on NPR.

More about UFOs? Check out this NYT article.

Script.mag has a great article here.

Here's the Flying Wrestler's take that we've quoted.

And the peeping-tom goat is all here.

Here’s a link to the music we clipped and the artist’s website. Who is this artist and what is this song?  It’s “Summer Spliff” by Broke For Free. Thanks to the Creative Commons website! 

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