Part

Subplots

You might say: B story, side plots

Smaller stories woven round the main plot. In Save the Cat the B story starts near 22% and brings in people who help the hero learn the theme.

What it does

Adds depth and lets the middle breathe without stopping the main plot.

Ask

How does this subplot bear on the main question or the theme?

Trouble

You could cut a subplot and nothing in the main plot would change.

What to look for

1. A smaller story woven round the main plot
2. The main question touched by a side story

Connections

• See also: Character web

Sources

1. Jessica Brody, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel Starter Kit, pp. 2–3, Introduction to the 15 BeatsB Story (22%) - The introduction of a new character or characters who will ultimately serve to help the hero learn the theme.

Use it on your project

teardown-apply: hold "Subplots" (subplots) from the teardown at https://teardownatlas.com/fiction-writing/ against my project

Paste it into a coding agent that has the teardown skills.

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