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Harness the Power of the B-Story: A Tool for Compelling Narratives
Breathing life into your hero’s journey through subplots
In the fascinating world of storytelling, we often come across an intriguing subplot known as the B-Story.
Its primary role extends far beyond simply providing a secondary tale. Rather, it serves as a potent tool to bolster the theme and to teach the hero the lessons they desperately need.
This blog post aims to shed light on the fascinating role of the B-Story within a narrative.
What exactly is a B-story?
Ever wondered what exactly the B-Story is?
It’s typically a subplot involving a romantic interest, a mentor, or a family relationship. This subplot isn’t just thrown in sporadically — it’s carefully introduced around the Break Into Two beat, with key moments sprinkled throughout the narrative. The B-Story hits the theme more overtly, teaching the hero a lesson they need to learn, often through a character who contrasts with the hero or serves as a loyal companion.
For example:
In the classic Disney movie The Lion King, Simba’s relationship with his father-mentor, Mufasa, serves as a powerful B-Story. It guides Simba through all of his…
