The Protagonist's Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling
Cham: Palgrave Macmillan (2022), xxxvi, 339 pp.
Contains 198 illustrations
ISBN 978-3-030-79682-2
"Character drives plot. Based on this principle, this book walks aspiring writers through the fascinating world of character-driven screenwriting. When a writer engages their characters, they start a process which naturally leads to the story’s structure and everything else that makes for a well-written narrative. Exploring the protagonist’s journey and their “unity arc,” Myers explains how a family of characters surrounds the protagonist and influences their transformation process. This easy-to-follow guide features activities that will help writers of any level develop their stories from concept to scene-by-scene outline. Based upon a popular workshop Myers has led with over a thousand writers at all levels of experience, this book is a must-have for screenwriting students, both undergraduate and graduate, and those looking at advanced story development." (Publisher description)
PART I: THE PROTAGONIST’S JOURNEY AS NARRATIVE IMPERATIVE
1 The Protagonist’s Journey, 3
2 Character Arc, 19
3 Disunity, 35
4 Deconstruction, 55
5 Reconstruction, 75
6 Unity, 95
7 The Screenplay Universe, 117
PART II: THE PROTAGONIST’S JOURNEY AS FAMILY OF CHARACTERS
8 Primary Character Archetypes, 131
9 Nemesis, 145
10 Attractor, 159
11 Mentor, 175
12 Trickster, 193
13 Subplots, 209
14 Character Map, 225
PART III: THE PROTAGONIST’S JOURNEY AS SCREENPLAY
15 Breaking Story I. Protagonist Character Treatment, 241
16 Breaking Story II. Master Brainstorming List, 257
17 Breaking Story III. Four Primary Plotline Points, 275
18 Breaking Story IV. Four Themeline Movements, 283
19 Breaking Story V. Ten Major Plotline Points, 291
20 Breaking Story VI. Scene-By-Scene Outline, 303
21 Writing the First Draft, 317
1 The Protagonist’s Journey, 3
2 Character Arc, 19
3 Disunity, 35
4 Deconstruction, 55
5 Reconstruction, 75
6 Unity, 95
7 The Screenplay Universe, 117
PART II: THE PROTAGONIST’S JOURNEY AS FAMILY OF CHARACTERS
8 Primary Character Archetypes, 131
9 Nemesis, 145
10 Attractor, 159
11 Mentor, 175
12 Trickster, 193
13 Subplots, 209
14 Character Map, 225
PART III: THE PROTAGONIST’S JOURNEY AS SCREENPLAY
15 Breaking Story I. Protagonist Character Treatment, 241
16 Breaking Story II. Master Brainstorming List, 257
17 Breaking Story III. Four Primary Plotline Points, 275
18 Breaking Story IV. Four Themeline Movements, 283
19 Breaking Story V. Ten Major Plotline Points, 291
20 Breaking Story VI. Scene-By-Scene Outline, 303
21 Writing the First Draft, 317