|
| |
Fire Your Protagonist!
by Melanie Anne Phillips
creator StoryWeaver,
co-creator Dramatica
Many authors start with a Protagonist and then build a cast of characters
around him or her. But as a story develops, it may turn out that one of the
other characters becomes more suited for that role. Sticking with the original
Protagonist causes the story to become mis-centered, and it fails to take on a
life of its own.
To see if this has happened to your story, try the following:
Take each of your characters, one by one, and try them out as the
Protagonist. Give each a job interview. You ask them, "What would the
story's goal be if you were the Protagonist? What would you be working toward?
What would you hope to achieve? How would you rally the other characters around
your efforts?"
More than likely, you will find one character who seems just a little more
driven – a character whose goal seems far more important than any of the
others, one that not only affects him but all the other principal characters as
well. That character should be your Protagonist, and it may not be the character
you originally cast in that role. If it isn't, fire your Protagonist and hire
the new one!
Sure, you've become attached to the original character, but if he or she is
no longer write for the job, well, business is business. You have to think about
what is best for the entire company of players in your story without playing
favorites.
Of course, with a new Protagonist, you'll need to re-center your story and
possibly to change the nature of the goal. But in so doing, your story will gain
a renewed sense of purpose as this new character takes the helm.
|
|
 |
StoryWeaver
- $29.95
Our
Bestseller! A
step by step approach to story development, from concept to completed
story for your novel or screenplay. More than 200 interactive Story
Cards guide you through the entire process.
|
 |
Dramatica
Pro - $179.95
Includes 2
Exclusive Bonuses! The
most powerful story structuring software available, Dramatica is driven by
a patented "Story Engine" that cross-references your dramatic
choices to ensure a perfect structure.
|
 |
Dramatica
Writer's DreamKit - $49.95
Little brother
to Dramatica Pro, Writer's DreamKit is built around the same patented
Story Engine - it just tracks fewer story points. So, you develop
the same solid story structure, just with fewer details. Perfect for
beginning writers or those new to Dramatica.
|
 |
Power
Structure - $149.95
An all-in-one
writing environment with built-in word processor that helps you organize
and cross-reference your story development materials. INCLUDES DVD
SET BONUS!
|
|
|
Power
Writer - $99.95
The little
brother of Power Structure includes the essential organization and word
processing tools writers need the most.
|
 |
Throughline
- Index Cards (Mac) - $19.95
Interactive
index cards - add notes, titles, colors, click and drag to re-arrange.
An essential tool for every writer.
|
 |
Movie
Magic Screenwriter - $149.95
The most
advanced screenwriting software available, Movie Magic is deemed a
"preferred file format" by the Writer's Guild. An industry
standard, MMS is used by professionals and studios around the world.
|
|
|
Final
Draft - $199.95
Like Movie
Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft is an industry standard, used by many
professional screenwriters and studios around the world.
|
 |
Between
The Lines (Macintosh) - $29.95
The lowest
cost automatic screenplay formatter for Macintosh includes high-end
features such as interactive index cards linked to your script.
|
|
|
 |
12
Hour Writing Course - $19.95
Everything you
need to know about story structure - twelve hours of video on a single DVD
- presented by Dramatica Theory co-creator, Melanie Anne Phillips.
|
 |
Dramatica
Software Companion - $19.95
More than four
hours of video demonstrations of every key feature in Dramatica, narrated
by the co-creator of Dramatica.
|
 |
StoryWeaving
Tips Book - $19.95
170 pages of
eye-opening essays on story structure, storytelling, finding inspiration
and a wide variety of writing techniques.
|
|
StoryWeaving
Seminar 8 DVD Set - $99.95
14 hours of
video from a live two day course taught by theory co-creator Melanie Anne
Phillips covering Dramatica story structure and StoryWeaver storytelling.
|
|
StoryWeaving
Seminar Online - $49.95
The same 14
hour program presented in streaming video that you can view online or
download for a permanent copy.
|
|
Dramatica
Theory 2 Hour Audio Program - $19.95
Every key
concept in the Dramatica Theory of Story is fully explained in this
double-CD set.
|
|
|
Writing
Characters of the Opposite Sex - $29.95
A three-hour
audio CD set that explains everything you need to know to create
characters of both sexes that ring absolutely true (and maybe even gain
insight into the communication problems in the real world!)
|
 |
Master
Storyteller Improves Your Writing - $29.95
Become a
better writing with this series of interactive exercises.
|
|
|
How
to Create Great Characters DVD - $19.95
A 90 minute
video program recorded during Dramatica co-creator Melanie Anne Phillips'
live in-person seminar on story structure and storytelling.
|
|
|
Structure
vs. Passion - Audio CD $19.95
The Story Mind
approach to writing uses your own passions to create your story's
structure. It focuses your efforts, clarifies the direction of your
story, and triggers your imagination.
|
|
|
Writing
with the Story Mind - Audio CD - $19.95
Learn how to
psychoanalyze your story's "mind" to uncover and treat problems
with characters, plot, theme, and genre.
|
|
|
|
|
Academic
Prices - Discounts on Select Products
Are you a
student, teacher, or academic staffer? Get the very best price on
select products with these manufacturer sponsored academic discounts!
|
|
|
Package
Deals - Starting at $49.95
Get deep
discounts with these bundles of our most popular writing products.
|
|
|
Writer's
Survival Kit Bonus Package - FREE!
Free with ANY
purchase - Writing software, online writing workshops, writing seminars on
video, story theory book, and much, MUCH more!
|
| |
Highlights from Dramaticapedia
Your Story Structure
Encyclopedia:
Books:
Videos:
Audios:
Collections:
Topics:
Subjects:
|
