The way I see this is: Characters are complicated sum of little things. Story is quite simple once you get your characters right. I like the way McKee gets to the core: How to get your protagonist in trouble. The way out is the hero’s journey.

There seems to be an important point about mediocrity and excellence lurking here, with those obsessed with theory and craftsmanship remaining trapped in the domain of diminishing returns, polishing their craft, chasing small and elusive prey, while the intuitionists stay in a zone of fecund mediocrity, pursuing and landing whales.