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Goals versus Need

Goals create the front story or dramatic action plotof novels, memoirs, and screenplays.

A goal tied to a need is even more emotional (readers and audiences connect to characters through honest “shows” of emotion).
Tie that need to a higher good is even better.
The exotic worldof the film, Winter’s Bone, adaptation of Daniel Woodrell’s novel and screenplay by Debra Granik, and the protagonist mesmerized me to the very last moment, though rarely am I attracted to dark and bleak movies.
The protagonist with a goalto find her father drives the story. That her goal is tied to a desperate need to save the house and care for her younger siblings and an ailing mother sends the intensityof the story higher and creates thematic significance.
Haunting story with compelling action makes for a satisfying story…

Click on green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video. Each time a concept is referenced you are directed to new information.

To watch the entire Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?go to my YouTube channel. Currently, there are 21 Steps. Enjoy!

Written by:
Martha Alderson
Published on:
February 16, 2011
Thoughts:
2 Comments

Categories: and screenplay mesmerizing protagonist, exotic world of novels, how to write memoirs, winter's bone by Daniel Woodrell and Debra Granik

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexander M Zoltai

    February 18, 2011 at 8:23 am

    The author, Jane Watson, from Melbourne, Australia recommended your site to me…

    I had to add it to the top of my Blogroll 🙂

    http://nfaa.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  2. write my essay

    August 29, 2011 at 9:01 am

    Thanks for the article. Very interesting.

    Reply

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