Sometimes, especially during the second act, movies can drag. A good way to remedy this is to introduce a "B" story, or a "sub-plot." I know they're essentially the same thing.

Question is, does it HAVE to be connected to the main plot? My thinking is that what if this sub-plot serves as a way to show character?

For example - I'm almost done with a western, where the twist is that the sheriff in this small town is actually a lifelong criminal. The main story is about his "finding out" but I thought it would be good to introduce a sub-plot where I can show that he's actually a good man, regardless of his previous life.

To put it more simply - a lifelong criminal winds up sheriff of a town (I explain this), marshals find out (main plot stuff), sheriff thinks he's redeemed himself through heroic, yet violent acts around town.

Quoted Text Sometimes, especially during the second act, movies can drag. A good way to remedy this is to introduce a "B" story, or a "sub-plot." I know they're essentially the same thing.

More of a good way to distract from the drag rather than solving it. The main story should not drag period.

Quoted Text For example - I'm almost done with a western, where the twist is that the sheriff in this small town is actually a lifelong criminal. The main story is about his "finding out" but I thought it would be good to introduce a sub-plot where I can show that he's actually a good man, regardless of his previous life.

Yes, you can develop a B story that would show your character's kinder traits. Think "As Good as It Gets. Nicholson's character is a prick. His humanity is revealed in two B stories.

- Greg Kinnear's story - the journey home to confront parents

- Helen Hunt's struggle to deal with her child's illness.

Those are well developed B stories that are interwoven with the main plot and reveal more about Nicholson's character than the main story does.

In terms of your does if have to be "connected" to the main plot. IMO- by definition - yes.  The degree of connection can vary

Quoted from eldave1 More of a good way to distract from the drag rather than solving it. The main story should not drag period. Yes, you can develop a B story that would show your character's kinder traits. Think "As Good as It Gets. Nicholson's character is a prick. His humanity is revealed in two B stories. - Greg Kinnear's story - the journey home to confront parents - Helen Hunt's struggle to deal with her child's illness. Those are well developed B stories that are interwoven with the main plot and reveal more about Nicholson's character than the main story does.

Thanks. You've read my story "Winterhaven," in the past...but I've reworked the hell out of it. A year's time has passed since I last touched it, so I've improved a considerable amount. All the main points are still there - marshals coming to town on a prisoner transfer, the sheriff isn't who he says he is, with the prisoner pointing that out to the marshals.

At any rate, this is how the B plot mixes in with the main:

Opens with the sheriff chasing some unnamed bandits out of town, with his deputy helping. The main plot picks up just after this scene as the marshals get ready for their trip to the sheriff's town. This is all detailed in the script. I'll pick the B story up again later when the marshals are there, so they can see the sheriff in action, and start to respect him. The twist I want to include with this B story is that these seemingly random bandits are actually part of the sheriff's old crew, maybe he owes them a lot of money, etc. Either way he's protecting his town by protecting himself. It comes off as "heroic" to the townspeople and marshals, but the real reason is explained when the sheriff is found out.

IMO that is not really a B story - it is simply a twist in your main story.

That being said, whatever you label it as doesn't really matter - it matters on whether or not it works.

Quoted from eldave1 IMO that is not really a B story - it is simply a twist in your main story. That being said, whatever you label it as doesn't really matter - it matters on whether or not it works.

My goal is to have another plot running concurrent, and eventually meeting up with the main plot. Whatever that's called, is what I'm doing. There is no suspicion toward the sheriff until an accusation is made against him from the new prisoner sitting in his jail.

Should work fine

Quoted from eldave1 Should work fine

Thanks.