The “A” Story and the “B” Story
In screenplay lingo, writers and directors refer to the “A” story and the “B” story. (There can be a “C,” “D,” and “E” story, but let’s leave those alone for the moment.)
Heather Graham in “The Hangover.” Sometimes the “B” Story rides to the rescue of the “A” story.
The “A” story is the dramatic core of the movie. It’s the foreground—the primary throughline that the protagonist follows. The “B” story is a supporting saga, running on a parallel (and often seemingly-unrelated) track.
In The Hangover, the “A” story is the guys’ efforts to find their friend Doug. The “B” story is Stu’s (Ed Helms) struggle to break out of thrall to his shrew girlfriend back in L.A.
GIRLFRIEND
And don’t forget to pack your Rogaine!
STU
Packing of the Rogaine … check!
In screenwriting theory, the “B” story should always support the “A” story. The two must resonate, even if they don’t seem to at first.
In the crisis, “B” rides to the rescue of “A.” The two storylines come together and reveal themselves to have been metaphorically linked all along. Elements of the “B” story help the hero survive and prevail during the crisis/All Is Lost moment of the “A” story.
The reason I’m harping on these story-structure arcana is because they’re so true and so important in real life—particularly in our own Turning Pro moments. You and I have an “A” story and a “B” story too.
In The Descendants [see last week’s post], the “A” story is George Clooney’s struggle to survive the discovery of his wife’s infidelity, coupled with his grief/anguish/guilt/rage at her going into a coma after a boating accident—and thus threatening to destroy both him and the whole family. Clooney’s character also happens to be a lawyer and chief trustee of a pristine piece of Hawaiian real estate that is in the process of being bequeathed to him and his relatives. The extended family is clamoring to unload this unspoiled parcel of paradise to the highest bidder.
The Descendants‘ “B” story is how Clooney handles the ethical issues that arise from this situation.
In Turning Pro, I wrote about “shadow careers” and addictions. The point was that these are surrogates and metaphors for our true calling. For example, a woman whose dream is to be a writer might take a job as an editor at a magazine (her shadow career). Or a guy with a gift for music might become a boozing, hotel-room wrecking wild man (his addiction) without actually working to become a real rocker first.
We can think of these shadow careers and addictions as “B” stories.
The “A” story issue in both cases is “Will our hero find his/her true calling and, if so, will he/she have the strength of character to embrace it and live it out?”
Still with me? Let’s go back to the Hollywood model. In the crisis, remember, the “B” story rides to the rescue of the “A” story.
In The Hangover, the crisis/All Is Lost moment comes when the guys recover “Doug” (who has been kidnapped by Mister Chow and is returned to his buddies with a bag over his head), only to discover, when the bag comes off, that it’s the wrong Doug. It’s the guy who sold Alan (Zach Galifianakis) the “roofies,” the date-rape drug that started this whole crazy, amnesiac night. Our boys are screwed. They’re out of clues. They’ve shot their wad and they’re no closer to finding their pal Doug.
But here comes the “B” story. Stu, the henpecked dentist, has (though he doesn’t realize it yet) come into his own during this crazy night. He has met and won the heart of—and married—the dazzling stripper Jade (Heather Graham) who treats him much better than his ball-busting g.f. back home. Now, in the crisis, it’s Stu who solves the puzzle. He’s the one who has the insight to connect “roofies” to “roof” and figure out where Doug actually is. What’s behind this brilliance? Lame Stu has turned into super Stu.
Finally home in L.A., at Doug’s wedding, Stu officially dumps his girlfriend and (we hope) will soon find true love, if not with Jade back in Vegas, then with someone who appreciates him a little more than his original fiancee did.
But back to The Descendants. In the “B” story, remember, Clooney the lawyer is serving as executor for his cousins, aunts, uncles and in-laws, all of whom are frothing at the mouth to despoil the pristine piece of Hawaiian real estate that they are heirs to. They want to take the money and run and they are pressuring Clooney big-time.
But somehow our George finds the strength of character to do the right thing. He won’t sell the land. He’ll preserve it, even at the cost of having his extended family shun him in perpetuity.
In the “A” story, Clooney fails on all fronts. He’s cuckolded, humiliated, loses his wife whom he loves, and is disgraced in front of his young daughters, whom he also dearly cherishes. But in the “B” story, George acts like a man in the best sense of the word. He stands up, alone and in the face of tremendous adversity, for what he believes in.
This wins him not only his daughters’ respect, but his own. The “B” story flows into the “A” story in the crisis/All Is Lost moment and saves the day.
For us as artists and entrepreneurs trying to pursue our callings in a courageous, honorable and professional way, the “A” story is “Will we do it—and how?” The “B” story is how we deal with our Resistance and our self-sabotage, our addictions and displacement activities and shadow careers.
Our “B” story is a metaphor for our “A” story. It parallels it and is inextricably linked to it. Before we can break through in our “A” story, we need to handle, or at least understand, our “B” story. “B” can point us to our true calling—“A”—and, when we face “B” with unsparing honesty and guts, it can get our “A” story rolling powerfully down the track.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
its relay too good……….
Thanks!
It is just great.
Great thoughts again, Steven.
Resistance, every four years, equals watching the Olympics. The only upside: seeing how hard those guys have worked for their medals is inspiration against Resistance.
Hell, that could be a post in itself. Watching Phelps give it all he had in his signature butterfly, only to miss gold by .05 of a second! Excruciating to watch.
The daily battles of a warrior, artist and athlete.
xo,
Sonja
Much thanks to the author. I genuinely enjoy the fortzonebattleroyale game — it’s simple to start and hard to stop.
Great post. Really clarifies the story I’m writing as well as the story I’m living.
Ah yes, the story we’re LIVING …
When writing my script there was a point when the story began to tell itself and my struggle was to both hold on enough to tell it and give rein enough to let it flow. While the ‘A’ story was entirely visible and more easily manipulable , the ‘B’ story held the heart and knew where it needed to go.
I think that life is similar. It is difficult to detect the ‘B’ within the ‘A’ story of our own lives, though if we are lucky there may be one or possibly two people in our lives who know us well enough to have the perspective to see our underlying story line. It is as we get older and shed peripherals, physical ‘stuff’ we are drawn ever closer to our real selves, our authentic story and like in a movie, if we are both lucky and persistent, things come full circle.
Good movies do that. They are like archetypes; hope for our own journeys.
Steven, does this mean your fiction writing is your shadow career, the facade that keeps the money coming in, so you can pursue your true calling of helping the rest of us in our pursuit of whatever-it-is-we’re-pursuing through Do The Work, Turning Pro, War of Art and your other non-fiction works?
If so, carry on! We appreciate it.
SD
Seems I found your blog at the perfect time as I just watched the “Descendants” a week or two ago. Thanks so much for clearly laying out these important aspects of story. So helpful in think about the novel I’m writing.
Wonderful! Helpful. I learn.
Really insightful you have a new subscriber
yayayayayayayayay
Thank you for your work. I look forward to laying my hands on your books soon.
While reading this I was reminded of the double plot of Anna Karenina, and some of Dickens’s novels as well. Star Wars has the same double plot – Han Solo “shadowing” Luke. George Lakoff has written extensively about metaphor, and how we think in metaphors. Perhaps narrative itself is an extended metaphor. Interestingly, while the “A” story seems to proceed on a linear line – classic crisis Aristotelian plot – the “B” story seems to be a diversion, an annoyance, irrelevant, etc. Yet as you say the “B” story must be confronted and transformed first – in Jewish mysticism, which I know you’ve looked into Steven – there is the idea of the “negative inclination” which if ruled (you talk in “Turning Pro” about the need for order and structure – energy (the muse) channeled) can be the “engine” of positive achievement.
Thanks, briefly but still thoroughly explained!
Just what I needed. Thanks for making it so easy to absorb quickly, so I can get back to work with the required adjusted perspective to get this thing done and well.
Steve
Thanks for this. Good piece.
Lets play text twist online
I could spot a B story from a mile away but never got why they’re always used or how they function until now. Thanks for working to get this brilliance into words
So basically the important takeaway of what is explained is the A-plot and subsequent B-story connected to that A-plot can have different outcomes by the end. What I searched for was along the lines of “Can the A-plot and B-story overlap in their structure involving the same scenes and/or larger beats of their story and plot”? It seems I got my answer and it is yes. They are what we know as an intrinsically connected plot that revolves around the same ideas—a character—of a shared story for one another. Without one, the other could not co-exist. One thing to ask then: do the B-story and A-plot have to have the same “character arc” in their structure? (To ensure they reach the same idea of development, but the Truth or Lie the character learns devolves into one storyline’s outcome differing over another, if not reaching the same conclusion?)
Dust devils ain’t got nothin’ on you in getaway shootout! This pixelated posse party’s got more explosions than a dynamite factory.
candy clicker combines the addictive nature of incremental games with charming visuals and engaging mechanics, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages. Whether you’re a casual gamer looking to pass the time or a dedicated player aiming for the top of the leaderboards, there’s something for everyone in this sweet adventure.
In this insightful Writing Wednesdays session, delving into the mechanics of crafting compelling “A” and “B” stories can significantly enhance your narrative structure. As you explore the nuances of storytelling, consider using the flixfox apk download to watch and analyze great examples in film and television where these dual plotlines are masterfully interwoven.
A touching and meaningful story @lewdle
A gentle, engaging game. earn to die reduces stress in studying and working. Invite you to join and experience. Just have passion.
This essay piqued my interest because it provides the reader with important information cupcake 2048 and makes a solid argument.
For movie lovers, the castle app is a treasure trove. With Castle APK, your entertainment options are limitless. Download for instant access!
nice story check Bhunaksha Ap
The Rajasthan government has made it easier to use online services with SSO (Single Sign-On). This one digital ID allows you to use many different SSO services through a single website. This simplifies things and saves you time
Academic Bank of Credit ABC ID contains a unique 12 digit number for each student where their academic credits will be deposited by the institution. On this page you can get detailed information about ABC ID registration, login and download process etc.
Bhoomi RTC online is a government service in Karnataka that lets farmers and landowners access land records online, including ownership, tenancy, and crop details.
This is a wonderful story posted by you as it has a lot of emotions. Rajasthan government has made it easier for people who were fed up of logging to different portals with different passwords, now you can access a single sign on portal which is SSOID loginand can avail more than 100 services by govt of Rajasthan.
This article brilliantly explains the interplay of ‘A’ and ‘B’ stories in screenwriting, showing how the supporting narrative ultimately strengthens the main plot. Just like in storytelling, platforms like SSO ID streamline multiple services into one, making life simpler and more efficient. Whether in movies or digital access, having a well-structured system ensures a seamless and impactful experience.
As for the urban adventurer I think Bell amp Ross successfully executed what it set out to do. billige omega ure There’s a certain level of refinement involved with urban life and traditionally that’s not in the wheelhouse of Bell amp Ross but the introduction of the BR05 showed us that the company is not a one-trick pony and can play in that arena. And with the BR05 Chrono it has expanded in that space.
You can visit here https://gunotsavresult.in/ for Gunotsav Assam 2025 result
IPL 2025 Ticket booking process has stared already. Check here https://iplticketbooking.in/
The SSO ID Rajasthan Portal is a unified digital platform introduced by the Government of Rajasthan, enabling users to access multiple government services with a single login. Whether it’s applying for government jobs, paying bills, or accessing schemes like e-Mitra and Jan Aadhaar, the SSO ID simplifies the process.
Citizens, businesses, and government employees can register for an SSO ID at sso.rajasthan.gov.in using their Aadhaar, Bhamashah ID, or mobile number. This initiative enhances efficiency, reduces redundancy, and promotes seamless digital governance in Rajasthan.
The future of SSO ID Rajasthan looks bright as the platform continues to evolve and integrate more services. As part of the government’s digital transformation efforts, more services are expected to be added to the platform, offering a wider array of benefits to users. For example, services related to healthcare, employment, and social welfare may soon be available through the SSO ID system. The government may also enhance the platform by introducing features like mobile app integration and biometric authentication for even higher levels of security. Additionally, the platform’s role in promoting e-governance and transparency will likely expand, enabling faster and more efficient public service delivery. By continuing to innovate, SSO ID Rajasthan will remain a crucial tool in modernizing governance and improving the lives of citizens across the state.
Calculation and skill are the keys to conquering the golf holes in Golf Orbit, bringing you exciting and challenging experiences!
Love sites that mix creativity and utility?
Try ghiblify.im for AI art, or relax with dinogame.run and snakegame.run!
Quick tools like webptojpg.tools are also super handy.
This blog series is interesting. stimulation clickerArticles are coherent with individual highlights. text twistThe systematic sharing is great. Looking forward to more great works.planet clicker
The article on Steven Pressfield’s blog provides a fascinating insight into the interplay between the “A” and “B” stories in screenwriting, illustrating how secondary narratives can enrich and ultimately rescue the main plot. This concept of dual storytelling can be applied to various creative endeavors, including digital tools like our own platform – Ruletaa , which offers a unique and engaging way to make decisions and solve dilemmas through customizable random selection. By integrating such storytelling techniques, we can enhance user engagement and provide a more immersive experience.
Instantly generate unique AI stories from your ideas using customizable options—completely free and no registration required.
Ai Story Generator
The more levels you beat, the better you get, so practice and keep improving. If you like tower defense games, you can make money by playing them on cloud gaming platforms for mobile devices like ONMO age of war. There’s nothing to download. Why are you still waiting? Try out any tower defense board game to get better at fighting.
Very nice post. Keep writing!
This is a great breakdown of A and B stories! I never really thought about it that way before, but it totally makes sense. The examples from “The Hangover” and “The Descendants” were super helpful. Definitely gonna keep this in mind when I’m watching movies now!
The Random Object Generator is a handy tool that instantly creates random object lists. Ideal for game development, teaching, writing, design, and improvisation, it provides diverse objects as needed. Its customizable categories, multilingual support, and no registration requirement make it easy to get random inspiration for any project.
Random Object Generator
In every good show or movie, the “A” Story and the “B” Story play off each other to keep things interesting. While the A Story usually follows the main plot—like a hero’s mission—the B Story adds emotional depth or comic relief, often with a side character. It’s like having two threads that eventually weave together for a bigger impact. In the same way, your website experience should be smooth and connected. That’s why it’s so important to include SSo Id Login, so users can easily switch between tasks without re-entering info. It keeps things flowing just like the stories do. If you haven’t set it up yet, it’s worth considering.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation EPFO is one of the largest social security organisations in India, established under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
This helps you stay compliant with UK laws and avoid any fines. With the askMID service, you can quickly check your vehicle’s insurance status
Welcome to our online Moi Qatarcheck Platform. Enter your 15-digit visa number or passport number and select the country to check the status of your Qatar visa.You will be redirected to the official portal after entering your visa number or passport number
Parivahan Sewa is an online platform introduced by the Ministry of road transport and highways.The portal offers a wide range of services related to driving licences and vehicles.
SSR Movies
is a platform where updates regarding movies and web series are updated
Create pixel-perfect circles in your Minecraft world with the help of our reliable circle generator tool.
Appreciate this well-written article. I’ve recently been immersed in Project Egoist, a game that challenges your leadership ethics.
Much thanks to the author. I genuinely enjoy the chaotic bovine strategy game—it’s simple to start and hard to stop.
Great breakdown of how the “B” story supports the “A” story! I’ve found that recognizing my own shadow careers as “B” stories helped me clarify and commit to my main creative goals, much like your examples from The Hangover and The Descendants illustrate. This perspective really deepens the understanding of narrative structure beyond just screenwriting.
Great breakdown of the “A” and “B” story dynamic! I especially appreciated how you connected these narrative layers to real-life challenges like Resistance and shadow careers, which really adds depth to the concept of Turning Pro. Your insight reminded me that addressing our “B” story honestly is crucial for moving forward in our creative journeys.
This way of playing is quite interesting.
very helpful article I found a lot of interesting things on your website. especially the conversation
Discover your perfect rap name instantly with our free Rap Name Generator. No registration or login required—just input your unique style, background, and influences to receive authentic, standout rap identities. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, freestyling with friends, or crafting a character, our tool delivers edgy and original names to make you shine in the hip-hop scene. Start generating your signature sound today!
Rap Name Generator
Life Path Calculator
The Life Path Number, derived from the sum of your birthdate, holds the most importance in a Numerology Chart. It encompasses all your talents, opportunities, challenges, and the lessons you encounter on your journey toward your destiny. Thus, the Life Path Number plays a principal role in determining the direction of your life.
This break down between “A” as well as “B” storylines really hits the nail on the head. It’s interesting to see to see how a “B” story, which is often overlooked, can hold the pivotal to the protagonist’s development and resolution. I’ve seen this often in the storytelling of films and television series in which subplots are often used to boost the narrative overall.
As one who reviews and analyses films and web series I’ve witnessed this structure help in the development of characters. If you’re interested in deep dives like this, I’ve covered similar themes in my recent reviews on my website: ssrmovies.media -We’d be interested in hearing
This breakdown of “A” and “B” stories really hit home. It’s fascinating how the “B” story—often overlooked—can hold the key to the protagonist’s transformation and even resolution. I see this dynamic a lot in storytelling for films and series too, where the subplots often elevate the entire narrative.
As someone who reviews and analyzes movies and web series, I’ve seen this structure work wonders in character development. If you’re into deep-dives like this, I’ve explored similar themes in recent reviews on my site: https://ssrmovies.media — would love to hear your thoughts!
Great post! I appreciate the practical tips you provided.
This breakdown of “A” and “B” stories really hit home. It’s powerful how our struggles behind the scenes (our “B” story) often shape our main journey more than we realize. By the way, many Indian students are now registering for the ABC ID card to manage their academic records under the supervision of the Indian government. It’s becoming an important step for keeping track of education details in one place.
Prevahan is a transport and logistics management system designed to streamline vehicle tracking, fleet management, and cargo transportation. It utilizes GPS technology and real-time data to enhance route planning, reduce delays, and improve operational efficiency. Prevahan is especially useful for businesses seeking greater control over their supply chain and transport operations. It helps monitor driver behavior, optimize fuel usage, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. This system plays a vital role in making transportation more transparent, accountable, and cost-effective.
EPFO oversees India’s employee provident fund, pension schemes, and insurance, promoting financial security for workers after retirement.
Good Content excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about this topic , Poker Games
Henry Stickmin is a stickman character who specializes in daring robberies and escapes, with quirky storylines that are hilarious regardless of the outcome. Henry Stickmin is a collection of chaotic adventure games that have captured the hearts of gamers around the world.
With SSO (Single Sign-On), the Rajasthani government has simplified the use of internet services. You may utilize a single website to access a variety of SSO services with just one digital ID. This saves you time and makes things simpler.