Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
artsOct 30, 202437:02pending

Gone Baby Gone: writing a static protagonist

Story Nerd

About this episode

Most stories are about change. However, there is also a place for stories when the protagonist doesn’t change. The outcomes can still be positive - just watch James Bond and Erin Brockovich!  There are also stories where the protagonist doesn’t change, and the outcome is ambiguous. This movie combines an ethical dilemma with a constant character to create a haunting outcome. The movie also has buckets of exposition. Is this a case of too much is way too much? Never fear, Valerie groups and summarises all the exposition into four key types. -M.

"Patrick's constant character with an ambivalent arc means that his internal state doesn't change." - Melanie Hill

Acquire the power to write a bestselling story at storynerd.ca/courses 

For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.

To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Get every episode summarized

Each time Story Nerd publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

Gone Baby Gone: writing a static protagonist

Story Nerd

0:00
37:02

More episodes

More from Story Nerd

View all episodes →