In Paula Munier’s book Plot Perfect: Building Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene, she demonstrates how to use chart bubbles to create a symphony of subplots that build upon the main theme of a story.
My story, now in draft six, is told from the points-of-view of two women from a diverse family and the violence that happens against a member in their family.
My main theme focuses on communication or the lack of communication. How does conversation work among the family members when they are faced with a crisis, especially when they are shushed, and the family is splintered into different factions about that shushing.
Communication Subplots
What did my bubbles look like with communication at the center? It was a fun task as I thought of the relationships between my various characters:
Unfriendly Cheerful
Defame Certain
Superficial Applaud Inviting
Chatterbox Honest Transparent
Gossip Encouraged Positive
Blunt Soft Direct
COMMUNICATON
Sideways Loud Tactful
Negative Repressed Quiet
Incomprehensible Dishonest Reserved
Tenebrous Critical Thoughtful
Cryptic Cherish
Ominous Cordial
Munier uses Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice as an example with Love at the center of her bubble chart. Munier then writes a summary of each bubble and how it is expressed in the plot and subplots of Austen’s novel.
“[Austen’s] work illustrates how subplots and variations on theme can be used to help plot a compelling story.”