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This season, I am focused on stories with negative or neutral character arcs. Sometimes, finding out what a character doesn’t want is the first step to discovery. On the surface, Cathy Whitaker has a perfect life. However, it’s a shallow life. Cathy’s choices are symbolically represented by her husband, Frank, and her gardener, Raymond. The two male characters are interesting external representations of Cathy’s internal choices. There’s a small amount of exposition in Far From Heaven, but when it features, it’s done straightforwardly and with simplicity. -M
“The interesting events in Cathy’s arc happen side by side in the movie. She shows an interest in Raymond at the same time, she discovers Frank with another man. While Cathy is trying to maintain one life, she’s also growing in another part of her life.” - Melanie Hill
Related Story Nerd Episodes
The Accidental Tourist (Season 5, Episode 3)
Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.
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.
To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.
Watch us on YouTube!
By Melanie Hill, Valerie Francis, Kathleen Foxx5
5757 ratings
This season, I am focused on stories with negative or neutral character arcs. Sometimes, finding out what a character doesn’t want is the first step to discovery. On the surface, Cathy Whitaker has a perfect life. However, it’s a shallow life. Cathy’s choices are symbolically represented by her husband, Frank, and her gardener, Raymond. The two male characters are interesting external representations of Cathy’s internal choices. There’s a small amount of exposition in Far From Heaven, but when it features, it’s done straightforwardly and with simplicity. -M
“The interesting events in Cathy’s arc happen side by side in the movie. She shows an interest in Raymond at the same time, she discovers Frank with another man. While Cathy is trying to maintain one life, she’s also growing in another part of her life.” - Melanie Hill
Related Story Nerd Episodes
The Accidental Tourist (Season 5, Episode 3)
Submit your query letter and first 10 pages writing sample at storynerd.ca.
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.
To subscribe to Kat's Keynotes (Substack), click here.
Watch us on YouTube!

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