Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc (Book Notes)

Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc by Dara Marks is a book about the craft of screenwriting, specifically about the structure of a screenplay and the importance of a character's transformational arc. The book argues that a story's emotional resonance comes from a character's journey of transformation, which is achieved through a series of tests and trials that challenge the character's beliefs and values.

The book is divided into two sections. The first part covers the basic principles of storytelling, plot, character development, the hero's journey, including the use of archetypes, backstory, and character flaws.

The second part focuses on the three-act structure, crafting your screenplay and the transformational arc. Marks provides numerous examples from popular films to illustrate her points, including Star Wars, The Godfather, and Casablanca. She also includes exercises and prompts throughout the book to help readers apply the concepts to their own writing.

SUMMARY: Inside Story is a comprehensive guide to the craft of screenwriting, particularly for those interested in creating stories with strong emotional resonance and transformational arcs. It is a recommended read for both novice and experienced screenwriters.

Get the Book: Digital Book (Apple Books)