Visualizing a Historical Romance Unlike Any Other

A brand-new feature in Subtxt unlocks massive creative potential

Listening to Rachmaninoff while building out the image generation for Subtxt Muse, I decided to test the new feature by wondering what it might look like to create a historical biography based on his life.

Nice start.

Since I had no idea about his life, I decided to just ask Muse if there were any significant relationships in his life. I knew I wanted it to be a Drama and figured I would start there.

Well, look at that! I had no idea he had married his first cousin. What a PERFECT place to start.

At the end of Muse’s list of possibilities it reminded me that:

Exploring these relationships could provide a rich tapestry of emotional and interpersonal conflict for your drama, reflecting both the triumphs and challenges of Rachmaninoff's life. If you decide to focus on one of these relationships for the Relationship Story Throughline, remember to develop it with significant changes or developments that reflect the progression of their bond over time, as outlined in my narrative matrix.

This is a completely brand-new paradigm of developing a story. Weaving from historical figure to visualized movie poster to historical context to an important and unique relationship to weaving that relationship into the all important Relationship Story Throughline (key to a complete story)--and all of it inline, and without changing context.

The effect is dream-like for those of us who have built stories before.

Obviously, I went with #1.

As someone who appreciates the visual aspects of storytelling to compliment the words (I was a Disney animator after all!), the combination of images and deep narrative theory is such a remarkable tool.

I still have a lot of work to integrate this feature into Subtxt, but all I want to do now is build and develop more and more stories.

Encouraged, I asked Muse what to do next...

So much to work with!

The idea that I should classify the conflict in their relationship around dysfunctional psychologies (#1) works great for their unique bond. The notion that they would then be concerned with either “Developing a Plan” to secure their marriage or “Conceiving an Idea” (probably, getting others to conceive that their relationship is not as awful as everyone else points it out to be) is such a great starting off point for this story. Instantly, I can start to imagine their relationship as one of inspiring others to look beyond social norms.

But what if I was just getting started in thinking of stories this way? What if I had no idea what “Psychology” or “Conceiving” meant in the context of narrative development?

I could just ask Muse and get some really nice bits of inspiration for where I might take their marriage throughout the course of the story.

Or, I could ask Muse for specific examples.

As of January 2024, Subtxt and Subtxt Muse have access to over 560+ professionally curated thematic profiles of celebrated films, novels, and plays.

Watching these films will give me a good idea of the same kind of relationship dynamics and underlying thematic issues threatening and inspiring Rachmaninoff’s marriage to Natalia.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I have some writing to do...