Review: “The Protagonist’s Journey”
A recent reader’s review gets at the core of what I tried to accomplish in writing my book.
A recent reader’s review gets at the core of what I tried to accomplish in writing my book.
I was struck by a recent review of The Protagonist’s Journey on Amazon by a verified customer with the moniker vxppl. Here is the review in its entirety.
We relate to the movies we see primarily through the characters in those stories. Everything else is gravy.
“The Protagonist’s Journey” isn’t the only how-to book to discuss the importance of characters, but in my experience, it’s the most sensitive and the most thorough.
Marketers of how-to-write-a-screenplay books are fond of claiming that this or that guide “is the only book you’ll need.” Hogwash! Every writer has different strengths / needs, and writers’ needs change as they grow. But I can promise you two things:
(1) Scott Myers’ text is so foundational that you can continue to grow as a writer simply by applying the book’s basic principles to your development as you gain experience through the years.
(2) When you incorporate the wisdom of other how-to gurus, Scott Myers’ approach will keep you on track.
If you don’t have compelling characters, you can’t have a compelling story, and The Protagonist’s Journey explains the how and the why for creating compelling characters.
The bad news: there are no magic formulas for creating compelling characters.
The good news: there are no magic formulas for creating compelling characters. If you are brave and honest enough to devote yourself to the quest of storytelling, you will have a decent chance to succeed where all the formula-kids are doomed to fail. At the very least, if you apply the invaluable lessons of this book, your writing will become more dynamic and enthralling. Whether or not you sell a spec script, you can be proud that you are contributing to the world of better storytelling.
Spend a year applying the lessons of this foundational text to your journey as a writer (I’ve been following and responding to Scott’s posts on Medium / Go Into the Story for several years now). What you learn about yourself and your audience will astound you.
An important feature of this book is its wealth of examples from recent films and tv shows. There are certainly many significant differences between movies, episodic television, and limited television shows, but because “The Protagonist’s Journey” is grounded on the basis of what makes a good story, you can apply what you learn here to any genre. Scott emphasizes what you CAN do, not what you MUST do to create a compelling narrative (the “tools-not-rules” approach that prescriptive how-to books so often ignore). There are no limits to what you can accomplish with your character-driven exploration. Best wishes on your own journey as a screenwriter.
I quite literally could not have said it better. This reader clearly “gets” what I attempted to do in writing The Protagonist’s Journey.
Begin with character. End with character. Find the story in between. That is the mantra I embraced with every chapter of the book.
There is no magic formula. Characters are complex and the process of discovering who they are can be a messy process … but it’s precisely that process of immersing ourselves in their lives that enables us not only to write compelling characters, but also empower them (the characters) reveal the ins and outs of the plot.
Character = Plot. Character → Fate. What I call the Narrative Imperative. The journey the Protagonist takes is the journey they need to take.
There’s a reason why dozens of professional screenwriters and television writers have endorsed The Protagonist’s Journey.
“We’ve seen so many books on screenwriting being framed through the lens of structure, and it’s refreshing to see someone tackle it from the most fundamental part of story: Character.”
— Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, The Boogeyman)
“Scott Myers understands the craft of screenwriting. The Protagonist’s Journey is an excellent resource for writers seeking to create more multilayered, evocative characters in their storytelling process.”
— Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, The Black Phone)
“With The Protagonist’s Journey, Scott has unlocked a whole new way of telling stories by focusing on characters and the psychological forces that drive them to action.”
— Mickey Fisher (Extant, Reverie, Jack Ryan)
“Finally, there is a screenwriting book that focuses on the most important and most overlooked element of good storytelling. The characters really are everything. The Protagonist’s Journey gives you the tools to craft emotional, character-driven stories that are the bread and butter of any professional screenwriter.”
— Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4)
“Every movie lives or dies by their characters and no one understands that better than Scott. Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or writing “fade in” for the first time, The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling is required reading. The perfect torch to navigate the dark abyss that is crafting a screenplay. A masterclass.”
— David Guggenheim (Safe House, Designated Survivor)
“Scott Myers is an uncommonly sensitive and erudite thinker and writer about the craft of modern screenwriting. I think so many writers at all stages of their careers will find nourishment in his character-forward approach, as well as anyone who is interested in the mysteries of storytelling or just plain loves movies. Great films are about remarkable, compelling, and challenging characters. This book offers both tools and inspiration — it’s a new, yet timeless, lens through which to view the question of how we tell film stories and why.”
— Phil Hay (Crazy/Beautiful, Ride Along, The Invitation, Destroyer)
“I’ve been reading and learning from Scott’s column for years now, but The Protagonist’s Journey is his greatest achievement yet. It offers a smart, comprehensive guide to writing memorable characters and, most of all, reminds us that characters are why people seek out stories and characters, not plot, remain with audiences long after the credits roll. An essential read.”
— Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown)
“Regardless of the genre, budget, or style of the film — character is everything. It is the bedrock of all drama, laughter, love, passion, and loss. Get to know your characters well enough — and they tend to tell you the story they want to be in. Scott’s book is an indispensable tool for unlocking scripts through character and a great tool for any screenwriter.”
— Lisa Joy (Westworld, Reminiscence)
“A fresh (and refreshing) way to look at storytelling. Scott expertly crystallizes the most important concept in screenwriting: that character and story are one in the same.”
— David Rabinowitz (Academy Award, BlacKkKlansman)
“We care more about the person driving the car than we do the road they’re on. All too often, plot and so-called plot points become the drivers of narrative. What results are cruise-control stories that are formulaic and predictable. What Scott instead does here is guide the reader through an inside-out approach, starting with the unique wants and needs of the main character, and how the actions they take to fulfill them are what keep the reader turning to the next page.”
— Chris Sparling (Buried, The Sea of Trees, Greenland)
“Myers illuminates a core principle of writing for the screen: All story rises from character. Bookstores have been too well-supplied with ‘paint-by-plot-point’ screenwriting manuals that encourage schematic writing and single-trait characters. For me, it’s a keen pleasure to see Scott Myers’ fresh approach. He profoundly understands that the most essential thing in a performance-based art is our experience of the central character’s personal transformation, and what is gained and lost — inevitably — along the way.”
— Robin Swicord (Little Women, Matilda, When They See Us)
Character. Character. Character. Professional screenwriters understand full well the singular importance of character-driven storytelling. As the book review by vxppl illustrates, that principle lies at the foundation of The Protagonist’s Journey.
The book is not only an Amazon #1 best seller in Film & Television, it is also 5-star rated. Plus, it’s currently on sale (23% off its regular price).
You may purchase The Protagonist’s Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling at all major retail outlets including:
If you live in the United States and would like an autographed copy of The Protagonist’s Journey, go here.