The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna 252 | Creating a Complex Protagonist with a Simple Goal ft. Kim Rosenstock (Dying for Sex)
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Jun 12, 2025 This week, Kim Rosenstock, an Emmy-nominated TV writer and co-creator of Dying for Sex, joins the conversation. She discusses how complex protagonists with simple goals can lead to emotionally rich storytelling. Kim emphasizes the importance of clarity in character objectives, which gives narratives depth and momentum. She also explores character development, the unique challenges of adapting stories, and the role of collaboration in shaping compelling arcs, especially in portraying intimate relationships and female empowerment.
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Emotional Spark Behind the Show
- Liz Meriwether, Kim Rosenstock's longtime friend, found the podcast and optioned it before COVID lockdowns began.
- Kim was emotionally moved and sobbed on her floor, feeling the story's unique depth and emotional journey.
Tone Blends Humor and Pain
- The show's tone authentically blends humor and heartbreak, reflecting life's complexity during illness.
- Humor serves as a love language and survival mechanism between characters facing despair.
Friendship as Self-Reflection
- Friendships reflect and affirm the truest versions of ourselves.
- Molly and Nikki's relationship shows how seeing each other's potential enables healing and growth.
