Chapter 13: now, what – Mariner Software Contour for Windows User Manual
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Chapter 13: Now, What?
W
e have been through quite a journey, getting a handle on what
our story is about, creating the Central Question, and taking our
protagonist through their archetypal stages, from Orphan, to
Wanderer, to Warrior, and finally, to Martyr.
Youʼve answered all of the questions along the way. The progress
meter bar is now a bright green, and your slider has gotten quite a
workout and has made it to the far right hand side of the bar.
Now, what? Dive right into the screenplay and start writing?
Not so fast. Any writer knows (and if you donʼt, you soon will) that
writing is rewriting -- and writing some more -- and tweaking what
youʼve got. Now, itʼs time to get to work refining your story.
Spend some time reviewing each step, and evaluate your answer to
each question. Have you set up Act I sufficiently, and do your Yes/No
reversals escalate in intensity? Is your protagonistʼs goal compelling
enough to keep your audience interested for two hours in a dark
theater? Is your Deflector someone who can stand up to your
Protagonist or are they someone who seems like they would turn tail
and run (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD)?
Once you answer the questions to your satisfaction, itʼs time to move
beyond Contour and start writing in the screenwriting software of your
choice, such as Montage.
So, how do you get your work out of Contour?
In This Chapter:
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