Dramatica can seem a bit overwhelming when you first start out. I remember flipping through the dictionary at the back of the theory book and thinking, “This is insane!”
But after eight years of working with it, I’ve got the model pretty much memorized (at least down to the Variation level) and have a pretty good understanding of each of the terms.
The reason the definitions are so complicated is because it’s the only way they can be accurate. If they were simpler, they might be easier to understand - but they would distill down the power of Dramatica - it would be just like every other story theory.
But if you’re just starting out - this may help you:
- There are two major characters in your story. One who will significantly change his world view and one who will stand his ground.
- One of these characters will like to build things, use their hands, and get things done. The other would rather change themselves or act a different way.
- One will want to find how things fit together, while the other would prefer to solve problems.
- In your story you will have good guys and bad guys. In some stories the good guys win. In other stories the good guys lose and the bad guys win.
- The people you are rooting for will feel like they are running out of time or running out of options. Again, it doesn’t matter, just keep it consistent and don’t change it halfway through.
- Your story will either have major events that happen to these characters or they themselves will decide to take action. Both will be in there, but one will feel stronger than the other.
- The character you care about the most will either be at peace at the end of your story or he/she will still feel at odds with the world around them.
- This same character will grow throughout the story by trying something new or by discarding an old trait.
5 responses so far ↓
1 RavinDave // Jul 20, 2005 at 5:21 am
Nice post; and kuddos on the site as a whole. Hope you don’t discouraged that few people are posting. I’m sure there are plenty like me reading and absorbing.
2 Jim // Jul 20, 2005 at 10:12 am
Not at all - when I first started my other site - http://www.sewardstreet.com - I think only my wife and my mother read it. So I know it takes time.
But glad you like the site - thanks!
3 Shawn Scarber // Jul 21, 2005 at 1:00 pm
Again, great post! Thanks for sharing the wisdom. This makes for a great list of things to go through before ever opening a storyform.
4 Prish Fraker // Jul 21, 2005 at 11:40 pm
Jim, Thanks to Shawn I have stumbled onto your site. What a fun place for struggling writers. I’ll be back. I particularly like the comment about the character at the end of the story being at peace or at odds with the world. Is that good and bad or success and failure?
5 Jim // Jul 22, 2005 at 7:31 am
Hi Prish - recognize your name from the maillist.
The character being at peace or odds has to do with the MC Judgment (Good or Bad). The OS Outcome (Success or Failure) has more to do with the winners and losers.
Glad you found me!
Leave a Comment