Narrative First
Subtext
De-personalizing the personal in order to achieve balance
Influence Character Perspective
A concept-first approach to understanding narrative structure
Dramatica
Allowing inference to open oneself up to potential
A theoretical model of psychology for the best of the best
A scientific theory of the mind must account for both
Reconciling your efforts with purpose and direction
Domains, Four Throughlines
Appreciating the flow of consciousness through a story
Story Continuum
Reducing involved theoretical concepts to get to the heart of a story
The Holistic Premise, Objective Premise Method, Subjective Premise Element
The specific type of conflict defines the drive of a narrative
Motivation, Methodology, Evaluation, Purpose, Objective Story Character Elements
Appreciating the building blocks of effective narrative
Justification
Down the endless rabbit hole of a narrative model
Wrapping your head around your head
Improving stories through greater inequity
Justification, Inequity
Understanding the essence of narrative drive
The formula for predictive psychology
Setting the record straight
Dramatica, Four Throughlines, Storymind
Understanding the act of learning as a Source of Conflict
Objective Story Concern, Story Goal
Developing a story with purpose
Premise, Storyform, Storybeat
The tendency of the Holistic to drift away from narrative structure
Holistic Mindset, Story Judgment
The cognitive functions of thematic intent
Methods
Making a meaningful connection between Author and Audience
Relationship Story Throughline
Storypoint
The sophistication of holism lies in the eyes of the beholder
Main Character Mindset, Intention
Spiraling up from one emotional state and down to the next
Understanding the relationship between Plot-level Concerns
Plot, Concerns
Your premise is you.
Premise
The way through lies in knowing your artistic intent.
Story Outcome
Getting to know your creative impulse
Story Outcome, Story Judgment
Breaking a few eggs on the path to greater understanding
Story Goal, Story Consequence, Story Costs, Story Dividends
Rewriting the meaning of an ending
Personal Tragedy, Premise, Subtext
The effect an outcome plays in the loudness of failure.
Story Consequence, Main Character Growth, Story Outcome
The effect character arc plays in what it means to fail.
Story Consequence, Main Character Growth
Giving up on Dramatica.
Dramatica, Storyform
Understanding the path of much resistance.
Main Character Mindset
The greatest danger facing any writer is structure for structure's sake.
Plot Progression
Encoding meaning into the order of events.
Plot Progression, Story Outcome, Story Judgment
What it means to write with purpose.
How to cure oneself from a tragic virus of the mind.
Main Character Throughline, Subject Matter, Premise
Tying the climactic moment to a premise.
Main Character Solution, Story Outcome
The model of our mind that is a story.
The effects of linearity & holism on structure
Main Character Mindset, Story Outcome
The unpredictability of values.
Objective Story Throughline, Relationship Story Throughline
Exposing the narrative elements of a story.
Four Throughlines
Structure is order, and order is meaning.
A modern understanding of conflict resolution.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline
Presuming conflict to be a problem.
Moonshots require something more than synthetic solutions.
When a problem isn't a problem.
The rational alone is unreal.
The theory that defines the structure of a narrative argument.
The difference between thinking holistically and holistically thinking.
Main Character Mindset, Holistic Premise
Order is everything.
Main Character Growth, Story Judgment
Justifying as a means of solving problems.
Premise, Main Character Mindset
The first casuality of separation is an isolated self.
The meaning behind vibrations.
Free your Storymind
Balancing the objective with subjectivity.
Understanding the purpose of a character.
You and I are not We.
Measuring the dynamics of growth by the space in-between characters.
Digging deep to find intention.
Storyform
Appreciating a different way to solve conflict in our lives.
Main Character Resolve, Steadfast Main Character
Coding the machine within the machine.
Storybeat, Methods
Supporting premise through experience.
Storyweaving, Main Character Throughline, Main Character Problem
Propaganda masquerading as a story.
Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Resolve
The very words we use hold us back.
Elements
The purpose of growth is to support the premise, not the character.
Main Character Resolve
Gender politics factor little when it comes to writing a complete story.
Influence Character Throughline, Relationship Story Throughline
Characters are not real people.
Protagonist, Antagonist, Main Character Throughline
Breaking down the personality of a story.
Objective Story Character Elements
Fascination involves moving away from Archetypal concepts of characterization.
Moving away from the familiar and into the unexpected.
Story Goal, Objective Story Character Elements
Moving beyond morality to determine drive.
Something more than simply the good guy or the bad guy of a story.
A discovery out of left field ignites the development of new story theory.
Moving beyond the general to make a difference in your storytelling.
Narrative Argument
Your Audience knows you're not telling them a complete story.
Short Stories, Storyform
The problems of the generalist stand out upon closer examination.
Dramatica, Main Character Problem
Tying Act Turns to the source of conflict ensures integrity in the narrative.
Story Driver
A film that stays with you does so through a substantial and meaningful story structure.
Objective Story Throughline, Main Character Throughline, Storyform
The meaning of time and space and their impact on the order of events
Support now exists for writers looking to strengthen their story's thematic argument.
Main Character Resolve, Main Character Growth, Story Outcome, Story Judgment, Main Character Crucial Element
With an objective theory as your guide, a path to greater clarity exists.
dramatica
An innovative tool that helps you write a complete story in under an hour.
Storybeats
Thoughtful children’s programming delights old and young with purpose and meaning.
storyform
Stories that argue the same approach to resolving an inequity share the same narrative structure.
A single story point does not a story make; the totality of all story points relate in a great schematic of meaning.
Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline
The Dramatica theory of story: extra effort not included.
storyforming, storytelling
Make it harder to learn in order to make it easier to understand.
four throughlines, domain
Accuracy and consistency in our understanding of the mechanism behind story paves the way for a brighter tomorrow.
protagonist, antagonist, main character, influence character
Quantum theory and its application in the telling of great stories.
storyform, Objective Story throughline, main character throughline
Returning to original terminology clears up misrepresentations of conflict found in narrative.
domain, Objective Story throughline, main character throughline
Determining the progression of events is easy once you identify the family of Thematic issues present in your story.
plot progression, theme
Figure out what it is you want to say and the rest is easy.
storyform, inequity
The Influence Character is not a character, it is a perspective.
influence character, storymind
A balance of all four Throughline perspectives guarantees the integrity of a narrative.
four throughlines, inequity
Narratives develop integrity by ignoring commonly accepted value judgments of good and bad.
protagonist, antagonist, Story Goal, Objective Story consequence
A look towards the initial inequity sets the stage for a meaningful narrative.
Story Goal, Objective Story consequence, inequity
The middle of a story requires greater definition than the beginning or the end.
acts, plot progression
Story structure may not be everything, but every story needs structure.
The right to write rests within anyone possessing the inclination to say something meaningful and true.
Story Requirements, Story Prerequisites, Story Consequence, Story Goal
The path through narrative begins on one side of the internal/external fence and ends on the other.
Story Requirements, Story Prerequisites, Story Consequence, Storyform, Story Outcome, Main Character Mindset
When it comes to increasing pressure on the characters in a story, look to the negative influences available within the structure.
Story Requirements, Story Prerequisites, Story Consequence
For Two-Act structures, tension exists with the juxtaposition of two key plot points.
storyform, acts, Story Requirements, Story Prerequisites
Understanding how your characters feel requires stepping out of their shoes and looking at them from a dispassionate objective view.
storyform, Story Goal, Story Consequence, Story Requirements, Story Prerequisites, Sequence Method
Acts within Acts within Acts within Acts; the structure of a story cascades into an unending pattern.
dramatica, storymind, plot
An accurate account of the tension within a story requires writers to take an objective view of their story.
Objective Story throughline, Story Goal
The number of Acts in your story depends on the underlying thematic material you wish to explore.
acts, signposts, plot progression
Apply oneself to the study of the differences in the types of conflict found within a complete narrative.
domain, concern
By reflecting ourselves, a great narrative challenges us to grow beyond our own preconceptions.
Storymind, Dramatica
As understanding grows, so too does the appreciation of a well-crafted and thoughtful narrative.
Storyform, Dramatica, Four Throughlines
The most important part of any story exists at the intersection of the objective and subjective points-of-view within the narrative.
Storymind, Main Character Throughline, Objective Story Throughline
Learn how to connect your heart's deepest desires with the structure of your story to create a compelling and meaningful narrative.
Storyform, Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Resolve
If moved by a particular story, Authors can use the storyform at the heart of it to relay the same meaningful message to their own Audiences.
Storyform, Gists
By combining our Gist Collections, writers can challenge their preconceptions of story to create something never seen before.
Enthusiasm and dedication can take you only so far--a strong foundation and meaningful story structure will give you purpose and direction.
Storyform, Main Character, Influence Character
Great writers need to be great analysts in order to fully understand the mechanism of their stories.
Storyform, Four Throughlines
Great stories blend structure and experience in their attempt to reach out and connect with another.
PASS, Scenes
In order to unlock the thematic message locked deep inside a story, both Author and analyst must maintain an objective point-of-view.
Audience Appreciations, Story Judgment, Main Character Growth, Main Character Approach, Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline
Advanced narrative theory now offers writers an opportunity to achieve the ultimate structure for their stories.
Scenes, Events, TKAD, PRCO, SRCA, PASS
The combination lies in the application of a key Dramatica concept--the Main Character's Approach to solving personal problems.
Main Character Approach
Instead of relying on taste, Authors should look to what they have to work with in order to create the most delicious story.
Main Character Resolve, Main Character Growth
Wrapping up our series on Audience Appreciations, we elevate our understanding of narrative and begin to see it as a complex web of relationships.
Nature, Main Character Resolve, Story Outcome, Stop, Start
The Main Character's personal problems define the flow of energy through a story.
Tendency, Main Character Approach, Story Driver, Crucial Element
Understanding the science behind narrative opens up the channels of communication between Author and Audience.
Essence, Main Character Growth, Story Judgment
Slight adjustments to the structure of your story can guarantee a larger audience.
Reach, Story Continuum, Main Character Problem-Solving Style
By understanding the structural and dynamic appreciations of narrative, the storytellers of today can be masters of their own destinies.
Storyform, Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Resolve, Story Outcome, Story Judgment, Main Character Growth
Create a framework of narrative around the events in your life and transform the inconsequential into something truly meaningful.
Story Goal, Story Continuum, Story Outcome, Story Judgment, Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Resolve, Relationship Story Throughline
Turning the events of our lives into meaningful narrative requires an understanding of how our minds operate.
Main Character Resolve, Story Outcome, Story Judgment, Tale, Relationship Story Throughline, Influence Character Throughline
If it worked the first time, why change it up?
Main Character Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Relationship Story Throughline, Dramatica
If you remove what you think is the source of conflict from a story and there is still trouble, you haven't properly identified the source of conflict.
Objective Story Concern
The Dramatica theory of story makes it easy for Authors to determine what is of utmost concern to their Main Characters--if you understand what Dramatica is asking.
Domain, Four Throughlines, Story Driver, Concern
Writers can determine what is necessary and what isn't by looking to the storyform of their narrative.
Backstory, Main Character Approach, Main Character Resolve, Plot Progression
Writers gravitate to that emotional irritant deep within them and use a story to help work through solving their own personal problems.
Four Throughlines, Main Character Approach, Influence Character Throughline
In addition to actual concrete connections, there are forces of influence that bind the Main Character and Influence Character of a story together.
Influence Character, Main Character, Inequity
Look for meaning in Dramatica's story points and you will be hard pressed to find it; look for an answer as to where to go next in your story and you will find nirvana.
Inequity, Problem, Main Character, Influence Character
Writers get into trouble when they try to understand what their story means while they are creating it.
Storyforming, Story Reception
The key to really getting Dramatica is to understand that it is all about the narrative relationships the theory models.
Dramatica, Main Character Approach, Main Character Growth, Storyforming
Know what it is you want to say and learn to use a tool that keeps you on the straight & narrow as you write that first draft.
Storyform, Dramatica
A strong and resilient system for looking at narrative makes it easier to play at writing.
Continuing last week's article on generating story ideas, we take a look at how to get up close and personal with your deepest intentions.
Influence Character Throughline
If you want to write something unique and original, identify your story's deep meaning and then write similar stories as a means to brainstorm a better, fresher approach.
Keep track of your story's rich thematics with the powerful Outliner4d.
Crafting a serialized narrative is easy once you know the storyform.
Unraveling the mysteries of story theory is another way of avoiding writing.
An effective analysis of a film requires an objective sounding board. Dramatica offers that opportunity.
Position one truth against another and you'll find the foundation for a great narrative.
Inequity, Conflict
Dramatica improves commonly understood concepts of narrative in an effort to improve our understanding of story.
Four Throughlines, Storyform, Inequity
Look closely and you will see more than a rebranding of ancient texts.
Human psychology dictates story structure.
Inequity, Justification, Problem-Solving, Backstory
Is the dilemma facing the Main Character real?
Nature, Main Character Resolve, Story Outcome
Dramatica keeps a room full of writers focused and productive.
Using story theory to fix broken stories.
No such thing as a two-hander, just a misunderstanding of story.
Influence Character, Relationship Story Throughline
They're not as sinister as the professionals make them out to be.
Dramatica differentiates itself by making the optional essential.
By crafting purpose and meaning into every episode, the writer/producer guarantees an Audience for the entire season.
Signposts, Storyform
Dramatica, Four Throughlines
Big or small, appreciations of story structure point to the same thing.
Objective Story Domain, Objective Story Concern, Objective Story Issue, Objective Story Problem
Complete stories do not share the same structure.
Storyform, Main Character Problem
An objective view of story helps an Author better understand the events that drive their narrative forward.
Protagonist, Antagonist, Story Goal, Objective Story Throughline
Look to the dynamics of a relationship: the ebb and flow, the growth and the dissolution.
When theory moves beyond the theoretical and finds triumph in practical application.
A comprehensive understanding of story structure leads one to appreciate what is behind said, not what is seen.
Acts, Four Throughlines
Stories that argue the same basic message do so with a similar structure.
Broaden the depth of your storytelling by leaning heavily on story structure.
Main Character Throughline, Gists
The very best way to get to know the most important character of your story is to write something else.
A new writing exercise for writers promises to unlock their creativity.
It can be misleading to suggest that Bond works against a successful resolution.
Antagonist, Story Driver, Story Goal, Story Outcome
The connection point between subjective & objective throughlines highlights a key narrative element.
Main Character Throughline, Objective Story Throughline, Crucial Element
The theory feels like magic because it is based on psychological processes we don't usually consider.
Two directors resulted in two stories masquerading as one.
Main Character Resolve, Main Character Approach, Main Character Problem-Solving Style, Story Driver
A hidden report in Dramatica bridges the gap between the two sides of a story.
Dramatica, Plot Sequence
The purpose of Acts is to set different contexts for the resolution of a story's central problem.
Signposts, Acts
Understand what must be done for the relationship to succeed and you will find the source of conflict between them.
Relationship Story Throughline, Story Goal
Many writers waste their time codifying what essentially boils down to opinion.
The personal issues of the Main Character reflect issues in the larger world.
Main Character Problem, Objective Story Problem
A convincing Character Arc consists of two key appreciations of story structure.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Focus
Complete stories balance sources of conflict with instances of resolution.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Focus, Storyform
Form does not determine structure; the same psychological process that fuels film also runs through the bloodstream of television.
Four Throughlines, Main Character Resolve, Influence Character Resolve
A missing piece of narrative structure, key to establishing a complete story, left this film with little left to offer except one helluva' ride.
Main Character Throughline, Objective Story Throughline, Four Throughlines
Narrative theorists managed to dilute their insights by making their work more palatable.
Dramatica, Influence Character, Main Character
The Dramatica theory of story is the most comprehensive understanding of our need to tell stories.
Dramatica, Main Character Unique Ability, Acts
Does Woody really have a change of heart...or does he strengthen his resolve?
Main Character Resolve, Influence Character Resolve
Look no further than this gem from Iran for a lesson in superior storytelling.
Dramatica, Storyform, Main Character Resolve
Main Character Problem, Main Character Solution, Objective Story Problem, Objective Story Solution
Flimflammers or people who have grown tired of incomplete and pointles stories?
Main Character Problem-Solving Style
Without a properly defined Main Character Throughline, Audiences quickly lose interest.
Main Character Throughline
Do as I do, not as I say.
The central character of a narrative focuses their initial efforts on the source of their personal problems.
An effective character arc measures both the growth and resolve of the point-of-view.
Structure grants meaning and gives purpose to a complete story.
Main Character Resolve, Influence Character Resolve, Main Character Growth
Comparing the phyiscal universe to our internal universe.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Resolve, Main Character Focus
Main Character Growth, Main Character Resolve, Main Character Focus, Story Outcome, Story Judgment
Main Character Problem-Solving Style, Relationship Story Throughline, Story Driver
The love for this film stems from our shared psychology.
Focus determines narrative structure.
Story Goal, Story Driver
Seeking resolution by changing how others think, not what they think.
Story Goal
Story goals that find characters breaking free of being stuck in the external world.
Story goals that find characters breaking free of being stuck within their own mind.
Clearly defining the type of Goal needed to resolve a story.
Understand that the Goal of a story is more than something that is won or lost.
The identity of the real Protagonist in this narrative will shock you.
Protagonist, Antagonist, Story Goal
Considering their functional purpose within a story helps establish a sound and effective narrative.
Protagonist, Antagonist
Main Character, Protagonist, Objective Story Consequence
Every complete story begins with the creation of an inequity, an inequity that requires resolution.
Inciting Incident, Inequity
Nothing worse than winging it. If you have no purpose, you have no purpose telling stories.
Seeking internal conflict within a predominantly external medium.
The path towards empathy requires a clear Main Character personal Throughline.
Genre, Main Character Throughline
Moving off the beaten path of narrative structure and into uncharted territory.
Four Throughlines, Main Character Throughline
Forcing a narrative into a predetermined structure plasters a story with artificiality.
Shifting the conflict experienced by the Main Character into a different area creates a unique kind of story.
Exploring the same kind of conflict within a narrative results in a common structural conceit.
Domain, Dramatica, Genre, Four Throughlines
A complete story sources conflict from four different distinct areas.
Acts, Plot Progression, Signposts
The Protagonist: more than someone who wants something 'badly enough to drive a story.'
Archetypes, Complex Characters, Main Character, Protagonist
Dramatica, Tale
Main Character Throughline, Objective Story Throughline, Protagonist
The first film may have provided a clue to the narrative structure of the entire series.
Inciting Incident, Main Character, Protagonist, Story Driver, Story Goal
Mental Sex, Main Character Problem-Solving Style
These two disparate films share common thematic elements—and it has nothing to do with the Hero's Journey.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Solution, Story Judgment
Main Character Problem, Main Character Solution, Main Character Resolve
One is a Protagonist. The other is not.
Influence Character, Main Character Approach, Main Character Growth, Main Character Throughline, Story Judgment
Objective Story Throughline, Story Goal
Dramatica, Main Character Resolve, Story Judgment, Story Outcome
Acts, Objective Story Throughline, Relationship Story Throughline
Influence Character Resolve, Main Character Growth
Stories begin with an inequity, one that isn't tied to the central character.
Inciting Incident, Main Character, Objective Story Throughline, Story Driver
Main Character, Personal Tragedy, Protagonist, Triumph
While this story lacked a significant change of perspective, the pieces were in place to accomplish this important task.
Four Throughlines, Tragedy
Four Throughlines, Main Character Problem, Objective Story Problem, Personal Triumph
The central character of a story is a perspective, not a champion.
Hero, Main Character, Protagonist
The difference between the two lies within the concept of justification.
Hero, Justification, Main Character Resolve, Main Character Focus, Main Character Direction
Growth is one thing, significantly changing your point-of-view is another.
Hero, Main Character Growth, Steadfast Main Character
Understanding the importance of the Resolve of the Main Character.
Hero, Main Character Resolve
Dramatica, Plot Progression, Signposts, Story Judgment, Story Outcome, Storyform
Objective Story Problem, Objective Story Solution, Story Outcome
Sometimes, the efforts to resolve a situation would only make matters worse.
Personal Triumph, Plot Points, Signposts, Story Driver, Story Judgment, Story Outcome
Antagonist, Inciting Incident, Objective Characters, Protagonist, Story Driver
Keeping the balance between internal and external pressures.
Changed Main Character, Main Character Growth, Main Character Resolve, Steadfast Main Character
An appreciation of narrative that moves beyond the superficial.
Complete Stories, Dramatica
Objective Story Issue, Theme
Main Character, Main Character Solution, Main Character Throughline, Objective Story Solution, Objective Story Throughline, Protagonist, Story Driver, Story Goal
Objective Story Concern, Story Goal, Story Outcome
Short Stories, Storymind
The Antagonist of a story represents the forces of reticence in the narrative.
Story Goal, Villain, Antagonist
Objective Story Throughline, Plot Progression, Signposts
The idea of a Three Act structure dates itself as an incomplete understanding of the flow of narrative.
Acts, Four Throughlines, Inciting Incident, Plot Points
Understanding when the problem of the story starts sets an author straight.
Inciting Incident, Plot Progression, Signposts, Story Driver
Main Character Growth, Main Character Resolve, Main Character Throughline, Steadfast Main Character
Main Character Resolve, Influence Character Resolve, Relationship Story Throughline, Story Reception
Main Character, Protagonist, Story Continuum, Story Outcome
Changed Main Character, Main Character Resolve, Steadfast Main Character, Story Judgment
Fixing a story requires a proper understanding of narrative structure.
Changed Influence Character, Influence Character Resolve, Main Character Resolve, Relationship Story Problem, Relationship Story Throughline, Steadfast Main Character
Deus Ex Machina and the end of meaning.
Main Character Resolve, Story Outcome
While some contend these two share a similar heroic journey, an understanding of conflict personal to them proves otherwise.
Main Character, Main Character Problem, Main Character Solution, Objective Story Consequence, Story Goal
Time for this nonsense to finally come to a resounding end.
Protagonist, Hero's Journey, Monomyth, Hero
The structural difference between triumph and tragedy.
An unclear Resolve breaks empathy and trust with the Audience.
Changed Main Character, Character Arc, Main Character Problem, Main Character Throughline, Steadfast Main Character
The Archetypal Characters found in both blockbusters serve an important function.
Archetypes, Protagonist, Antagonist, Contagonist, Guardian, Skeptic, Story Goal
Moving beyond Aristotle and remedial explanations of story structure.
The idea of the MacGuffin was never intended to be, nor should it ever be, taken seriously.
Effective story structure supports the Author's message.
Crucial Element, Objective Story Issue, Objective Story Problem, Story Outcome, Story Judgment, Tragedy
Connecting the Main Character's personal problem with the story's larger problem creates a meaningful and lasting narrative.
Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Problem, Objective Story Problem, Relationship Story Throughline
Tying the personal problem to the bigger conflict facing everyone in a story.
Main Character Problem, Main Character Solution
The drive to resolve inequity fuels the engine of story.
Main Character, Protagonist, Story Goal
Understanding the signficant difference between these two concepts of narrative.
Main Character, Protagonist
The secret to success lies in a consistent use of the Four Throughlines of narrative.
Objective Story Throughline, Influence Character Throughline, Main Character Throughline, Relationship Story Throughline
