How to Write a Subplot

Using the Character Goal Funnel Diagram to Create Subplots

Learning Objective: By the end of this post, you will know how to use the Character Goal Funnel to create a subplot in your story. 

When I was in college, my screenwriting professor, Roberto Busó-García, said that imagery is key at the beginning of Act II. In general, Act II changes the game for the protagonist because their external goal has become specific, and the steps they need to take to achieve that goal are clear and concrete. In western cinema, this change in the story is often signified by a change in imagery. Roberto introduced this concept to our class with simple examples. If Act I of the movie features darkly lit scenes, Act II opens with a brightly lit beach scene. If Act I features scenes filled with city imagery, Act II opens with a scene in a forest. In short, the opening image of the second act shows the audience something that they haven’t seen yet in the film. This opening image for Act II is often the opposite of the imagery that has already been depicted.

One way to show the audience something new in Act II is to introduce a subplot shortly after the Turn into Act II Beat. 

First, let’s review the subplot definition we used in February’s AMA.

Subplot: A secondary or tertiary storyline that is connected to the central story through a character’s relationships or their external goals.

Since we already discussed guiding questions for subplots in February’s AMA, this month’s craft lesson will focus on ways to connect a subplot to the main storyline. Today, we’re adding a new tool to our writing toolbox: The Character Goal Funnel. This post will break down how to use this new diagram to create focused and cohesive subplots in Act II. If you’re interested in learning more about writing the first act of a story, check out our Act I lesson series:

• Act I: Three Beats to Start A Story

• Act I: Three Beats for Creating Conflict

• Act I: Three Beats for the Turn into Act II

Character Goal Funnel Diagram

When I was teaching at the University of South Florida, students in my novel writing class often asked me: “A lot of my writing feels like filler. How do I write a subplot that does not feel random?”

In short, the answer is this: Effective subplots are directly connected to the main plot of the story. 

To make this concept more concrete, I created the Character Goal Funnel diagram to help demonstrate how a subplot is connected to the main storyline. Using this diagram as a writing exercise can also help you find any loose threads between your main story and subplot. Once we’ve identified the loose threads in our story, it's much easier for us to create meaningful connections between our storylines.

As always, take what helps you and your writing life and leave everything that doesn’t.

Character Goal Funnel Template