A New Chapter: Subtxt’s Journey Beyond Dramatica

Moving beyond philosophy into limitless creativity

For over three decades, Dramatica theory has been a cornerstone of how we understand and craft stories. It’s been an invaluable lens through which countless storytellers—from aspiring writers to seasoned professionals—have refined their narratives. For us, it has been more than just a theory; it’s been a foundation, a guiding star, and a bridge to a vibrant community of storytellers. But like every great story, growth demands change.

Today, we’re setting out on a new adventure—one that leaves behind the confines of Dramatica to embrace the full potential of Subtxt and the transformative union of AI and storytelling. This isn’t a farewell to all we’ve learned; it’s a celebration of evolution, of carrying the best parts of our journey forward while charting a new path for storytellers everywhere.

From Theory to Innovation

Subtxt began as a way to demystify Dramatica’s complex and innovative ideas. Grounded in the teachings of one of Dramatica’s key innovators, Subtxt served as a bridge between theory and application, making its intricate narrative structures accessible to a wider audience. Over the years, we’ve worked tirelessly to help writers grasp the power of objective narrative structure, to see their stories from a 30,000-foot view, and to build stories that resonate on every level.

But storytelling is evolving, and so is the technology that supports it. Where Dramatica required a deep dive into theory to unlock its benefits, Subtxt now offers a seamless, intuitive experience powered by cutting-edge AI. Our Narrative Framework maintains the integrity of the objective narrative structure—without requiring writers to master a complex theoretical system. In other words, we’ve taken the best of Dramatica and simplified the process, allowing writers to focus on what they do best: telling great stories.

Why Move Beyond Dramatica?

Dramatica has been, and always will be, a groundbreaking contribution to the art of storytelling. It formalized the concept of an objective narrative structure, providing clarity for how stories work at their core. But as the needs of storytellers have grown more dynamic, and as technology has opened new doors, we’ve realized that the future of storytelling isn’t just about theory—it’s about connection, creativity, and accessibility.

Here’s what Subtxt now offers:

• AI-Enhanced Storytelling: Subtxt’s AI takes the heavy lifting out of narrative design, intuitively holding your story’s structure intact while letting you focus on the heart of your narrative. No theory textbooks required.
• Creative Flow: Instead of pausing to decode theoretical principles, writers can stay in the zone, knowing Subtxt is there to guide them when they need it.
• A Universal Framework: The Subtxt Narrative Framework doesn’t ask you to choose between theory and intuition—it blends both seamlessly to serve storytellers of all levels.

This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift. Subtxt is no longer a tool for understanding Dramatica—it’s a system for creating stories in a way that’s both intuitive and groundbreaking.

A Thank You to the Dramatica Community

We’d be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to thank the Dramatica community. You’ve been a vital part of our journey—challenging us, inspiring us, and helping to shape the conversation around storytelling theory. It’s important to us that you know this isn’t about abandoning Dramatica—it’s about honoring its foundation while reaching for something even greater.

The insights, structure, and clarity Dramatica brought to storytelling 30 years ago remain a bedrock of what we do. For those of you who have turned to us for expertise on the theory, rest assured: those original concepts are still available and alive within Subtxt. They’ll always be a part of the fabric of what we offer to writers seeking deeper understanding of narrative craft.

But as the storytelling landscape evolves, we see an opportunity to push the envelope beyond what Dramatica started. To everyone who joined us on this path: thank you for your curiosity, your passion, and your dedication to mastering the art of storytelling. You’ve helped us grow, and we hope you’ll continue this journey with us as we chart the course forward.

The adventure is just beginning, and we’re thrilled to have you with us as we explore these new frontiers. Together, we’ll build stories that stand the test of time—and then some.

The Road Ahead

Subtxt is now laser-focused on the future of storytelling—the conflux of narrative and AI. We believe that every writer deserves a tool that doesn’t just assist but empowers. A tool that makes storytelling feel less like a puzzle to solve and more like an adventure to embark on.

So, here’s to what’s next: a storytelling experience where the integrity of your narrative is guaranteed, and your creativity knows no bounds. The time has come to step into a new era, one that celebrates both the structure and the soul of storytelling. With Subtxt, you’re not just writing a story—you’re shaping the future of narrative itself.

See you out there. 🌤️

Why We’re Retiring Courses, Workshops, and Books at Narrative First in 2025

Small team, big tools, infinite storytelling impact

Big changes are coming to Narrative First in 2025. If you've been a fan of our courses, workshops, books, or story analyses, you might be wondering, “What’s next?” Here's the deal: we’re stepping away from traditional learning methods to focus entirely on teaching Muse, our AI-powered creative partner, and scaling its expertise to millions of storytellers around the world.

Sounds bold? It is. But we believe it’s the right move—for us, and more importantly, for you.

Books and Courses: Outdated and Inefficient

Let’s be honest. Sitting down to read a book or slogging through a long online course just isn’t the best way to learn anymore. Sure, books are great for entertainment or diving deep into a story universe, but when it comes to mastering storytelling techniques or narrative theory? The process can feel slow and, dare we say, inefficient. And let’s not even get started on cohorts—a late-stage Capricorn phenomenon if ever there was one. Group accountability and structure have their place, but storytelling thrives in personal, intuitive exploration, not rigid systems.

You’ve been there: rereading things you already know, trying to make sense of dense jargon, or sifting through hundreds of pages of “fluff” to find the one golden nugget you actually needed. Or worse—sitting through hours of theoretical concepts on endless video calls, nodding politely while secretly wishing for a time machine to skip ahead to the useful bits. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re hungry to apply those insights to your creative work now.

This is where Muse and Subtxt come in. Instead of throwing every detail at you and hoping some of it sticks, Muse engages in a back-and-forth dialogue. It skips what you already know, distills the essence of complex ideas, and delivers the insights you need—when and where you need them.

Why Focus on Muse?

Teaching Muse allows us to scale what we’ve learned from years of working with storytellers—at a level of precision and efficiency that’s impossible with traditional methods. Muse listens (seriously, how often do we get to say that about humans?) and learns. Every conversation makes it better. Every piece of feedback sharpens its ability to guide you, whether you’re wrestling with thematic nuances, struggling to develop a compelling Main Character, or simply refining the beats of your narrative.

And here’s the magic: when Muse learns something new, that knowledge isn’t siloed. It’s immediately available to every storyteller who uses Subtxt. That’s something no book or workshop could ever achieve.

Let Muse Learn So You Don’t Have To

Here’s the most exciting part of all this: you don’t need to learn Dramatica theory anymore. Not the jargon, not the intricate systems, not the overwhelming detail. Instead, we’re flipping the script and teaching Muse—all so you can stay in the creative flow and keep writing the way you always have.

Muse is here to handle the heavy lifting. Its job is to internalize the complex frameworks of narrative theory and distill them into simple, actionable insights tailored to your story. You don’t need to spend hours grappling with the rules of storytelling. Muse has already done that for you.

Imagine asking, “How can I make my Main Character’s arc more meaningful?” Instead of searching through blog posts, hitting the forums, or replaying lectures, you’ll get an immediate, context-aware response that applies directly to your draft. It’s like having an expert on call, 24/7—but instead of lecturing, Muse collaborates. It’s not about imposing a formula; it’s about enhancing your voice.

This shift means you can focus on the fun part—writing. No more detours into dense theory or second-guessing every narrative choice. With Muse, you’re free to create while knowing there’s always a guide to help you refine, clarify, and deepen your story when you need it most.

What About Articles and Analyses?

While we’ve loved sharing our thoughts on the latest films, TV shows, and storycraft techniques over the decades, writing articles for a handful of readers doesn’t move the needle the way teaching Muse does. These years of experience have been invaluable, and now we’re channeling all that knowledge into Subtxt to make it accessible to millions.

The New Way to "Write a Book"

For thousands of years, books have been the gold standard for sharing knowledge. But as much as we’ve loved writing them, we’ve come to realize that the most valuable thing we can offer the world isn’t another 300-page release—it’s something far deeper, smarter, and more useful.

The new way to “write a book” is to build a massively intelligent AI. Not because chatting with an AI is more fun (although it definitely can be), but because deep learning allows us to do something books never could: create an endlessly evolving, personalized, and scalable tool for storytellers.

A book offers a snapshot of insight—one author’s perspective captured in a single moment. But an AI like Muse evolves with you. It integrates decades of narrative expertise into something dynamic—working alongside you to address your unique questions, struggles, and creative breakthroughs in real-time. Instead of chasing the spotlight with new releases to prove we’re experts in storytelling, we’re channeling that energy into building something far more impactful. It’s not about making us more valuable—it’s about delivering lasting, transformative value for you.

Scaling Subtxt and Muse to New Heights

By stepping away from courses, workshops, and books, we’re gaining something priceless: time. The less time we spend teaching individuals, the more time we have to teach our one AI individual—or several Agents, depending on how you look at it. Every ounce of effort we put into Muse makes it better at understanding, assisting, and scaling its insights to millions of storytellers.

This shift also allows us to focus on what we love most: developing and refining Subtxt, the application itself. And thanks to the technologies available today—tools that make it possible for a small team like ours to achieve what once required dozens—it only makes sense to channel our efforts into making Subtxt and Muse as advanced, responsive, and invaluable as they can be.

Teaching courses—both online and at the California Institute of the Arts—was incredibly rewarding. But those experiences also showed us the limitations of traditional teaching. Now, we’re leveraging everything we’ve learned to scale our vision and create tools that empower millions. It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing better for everyone who shares our passion for great storytelling.

The Only Place to Learn Is Subtxt

If you want to learn how to elevate your storytelling, the only place to do it moving forward is in Subtxt. It’s no longer about passively consuming information; it’s about actively engaging with Muse to uncover insights tailored to your unique story.

So, yes, we’re saying goodbye to courses, workshops, and books in their traditional forms. But we’re also saying hello to something far more dynamic, scalable, and effective—a creative partner that’s with you every step of the way.

2025 is going to be transformative, and we’re thrilled to have you on this journey with us. Let’s make storytelling smarter, faster, and more fun. See you in Subtxt!

Happy writing! ⌨️

Subtxt with Muse: Beyond Brainstorming—Your Story’s Analytical Sidekick

Deep story insights made simple with muse

When we say Subtxt with Muse is more than a brainstorming tool, we mean it. Sure, Muse can spin out brilliant ideas and help you craft compelling plots, but it’s also an unparalleled story analyst. Whether you're polishing a screenplay for submission or preparing your first act for an investor meeting, Muse doesn’t just help you find your story—it helps you understand it.

Let’s talk about what makes Subtxt with Muse such a powerful analytical ally. It’s a two-step process that any writer can use:

1. Identify the Storyform
2. Use the Storyform to Measure and Evaluate the Underlying Subtext

Step 1: Pinpointing the Storyform

Uploading your draft into Muse is where the magic begins. Once you’ve shared your screenplay, Muse analyzes the structure and content, proposing a likely Storyform. You’ll guide Muse by answering questions and clarifying nuances. While it often nails the Storyform on the first go, it occasionally benefits from a little writerly direction to lock in the specifics.

For Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, we started with a fully realized Storyform based on our prior analysis. But if you’re working on your own script, this step provides invaluable clarity on your story’s thematic framework, laying the groundwork for deeper analysis.

Not About "Fixing," But Enhancing

Let’s be clear: using Muse isn’t about “fixing” a screenplay, as if it were broken. Marriage Story is a masterclass in storytelling, and we wouldn’t dare suggest it needs any repairs. What Subtxt with Muse offers is an opportunity to see how the intelligence behind the tool can elevate your own creative process. It’s like having a collaborator who doesn’t just point out the obvious but gives you deeper insights into what’s working and where there’s room to enhance. The beauty of this approach lies in its flexibility—you can use Muse to refine themes, sharpen character dynamics, or simply explore possibilities. And honestly, sometimes it’s just nice to take a break from spaceships and spurs to dive into the heartfelt complexities of a contemporary drama.

So, let’s get into it.

Step 2: Analyzing Subtext with Surgical Precision

Once your Storyform is set, Muse gets to work breaking down the subtext. You’ll get actionable insights about what’s working, what’s missing, and—most importantly—how to fix those narrative potholes. To show you what this looks like, let’s dive into Marriage Story and explore two examples:

• Objective Story (OS) Transits: Conceiving, Being, Becoming, and Conceptualizing
• Main Character (MC) Domain: Concern, Issue, and Problem

Example 1: Analyzing the Objective Story Throughline

First off, what are Objective Story Transits?

Objective Story (OS) Transits represent the key phases or shifts in the overarching narrative that affect all characters within the story's "big picture." These transits track the progression of the Objective Story Throughline, moving through stages of growth, transformation, and conflict resolution as dictated by the Storyform. Each transit captures a distinct narrative function—such as Conceiving, Being, Becoming, or Conceptualizing—which unfolds over specific sections of the story.

Think of transits as narrative checkpoints, offering a way to analyze the flow of the story’s external conflicts and the shared experience of its characters. By understanding these transits, you gain insights into how the plot evolves and aligns with the deeper thematic structure of the story.

In this case, Marriage Story serves as an example to illustrate how these transits work in practice. Each stage reveals how the story moves from the birth of an idea (Conceiving), through its expression (Being), transformation (Becoming), and finally into structured thought or realization (Conceptualizing).

To start analyzing the Objective Story Throughline in-depth, all we have to do is upload the screenplay into Muse, and simply ask:

examine pages 1-38 in this document and find instance of Conceiving

As new models continue to evolve, we anticipate this type of analysis becoming more streamlined, requiring less manual input. Currently, the most effective method involves dividing the manuscript into four equal parts (simply by splitting the total page count into quarters). While this approach isn’t perfectly precise, it’s remarkably close and works well enough for practical purposes. Future iterations may provide an automated, one-step solution, but for now, this simple division offers a reliable framework for analyzing the Objective Story Throughline.

The response from Muse was quite enlightening:

Transit 1: Conceiving (Pages 1–38)

From pages 1-38 of the script "Marriage Story," instances related to the thematic concept of "Conceiving," as it pertains to the birthing or inception of an idea or possibility, emerge in several discussions. Here are some matches with "Conceiving" intertwined in the narrative:

1. Nicole reflects on her decision about pursuing an entirely new chapter in life during a conversation with her lawyer Nora. Nicole states, "It’s difficult to articulate. Sorry. It’s like I know why I’m doing this, but I don’t know too. It’s not as simple as not being in love anymore"—indicating the inception of a realization and a new concept for her life, one that is distinct and initially vague but grows more tangible as she voices it.

2. Nicole describes her internal conflict and transformation by recounting her early days with Charlie: "I got smaller... then I got pregnant. And I thought ‘having a baby will be ours, really ours, and it will also really be mine.’" This thought signifies the inception of a profound idea or a new perspective on identity and autonomy, one that frames her expectations about motherhood and independence.

Both passages highlight the seeds of concepts forming in Nicole's mind amidst the emotional and relational conflicts she faces, aligning well with the essence of "Conceiving" as defined. These moments are pivotal as they showcase Nicole confronting mental resistance, grappling with emerging possibilities, and planting ideas that ultimately shape her storyline.

With these rich insights into "Conceiving," we now move to the next transit: "Being." This stage focuses on how characters express their essence—whether through action, dialogue, or presence—revealing layers of identity and existence. Let’s dive into pages 39–76 to see how "Being" plays out in Marriage Story.

wonderful. now for pages 39-76 find instances of Being

From pages 39-76 of Marriage Story, several instances of the theme of "Being" emerge. "Being" here reflects the overt demonstration or qualities of a character in a moment, highlighting their existence or identity at a philosophical or literal level. Here are key scenes signaling "Being":

1. Charlie Singing "Being Alive": In a poignant and raw performance of "Being Alive" from Company, Charlie lays himself bare in front of an audience. This emotionally charged moment is a masterful expression of his internal state—his longing for connection and his struggle to "be" fully present in a relationship.

(Honestly, we were blown away by this reference. We had forgotten all about it and loved how perfectly it embodies "Being" as a narrative transit).

2. Nicole After Drinking: At one point, Nicole, in a slightly tipsy state, reflects on her role as a parent, saying, “Now that I’m a parent I realize my parents were probably drunk all the time with me.” This moment captures Nicole grappling with her identity and existence as a mother, fully inhabiting her role while confronting its challenges.

These findings are not only fascinating but also deeply validating. That this Transit— Being—wasn't actively chosen but arose organically from the story's underlying thematic issues and sources of conflict highlights the brilliance of Subtxt’s narrative framework (based on the Dramatica storyform). It’s proof of how well-crafted stories naturally align with these structures, and moments like Charlie’s performance confirm once again that Noah Baumbach is, indeed, a great writer (as if we needed any more evidence). Thanks, AI, for reminding us!

With "Being" thoroughly explored, we now move forward to the next transit: "Becoming." This stage emphasizes transformation, personal growth, and the evolution of characters over time. Let’s dive into pages 77–144 to see how "Becoming" plays out in Marriage Story.

great. now do the same for 77-144 find instances of Becoming.

Upon examining pages 77-144, no significant instances of the thematic concept "Becoming" explicitly appear. This concept emphasizes transformation, personal growth, or the process of becoming something else—a significant journey or evolution.

Given the absence of moments representing "Becoming," some thematic enhancements to consider might include:

1. Nicole's Growth as a Director:

   • Expand on scenes where Nicole transitions from an actress to a full-fledged director, showcasing how this shift reflects her identity-changing journey.

2. Charlie’s Relinquishment of Control:

   • Develop scenes that explore Charlie’s realization of his shifting role in Henry’s life, moving from a primary caregiver to sharing responsibility with Nicole.

3. Personal Reflections:

   • Add inner monologues or critical decisions highlighting how either Nicole or Charlie realizes they've fundamentally changed due to this divorce.

These additions can emphasize the nuanced narrative arc where “Becoming” is a foundational thematic pillar! Would you like detailed scene breakdowns for integrating these suggestions? 😊

And this is where things got really exciting! This wasn’t just the AI fluffing us up with praise or showering Baumbach with platitudes about his brilliance. Instead, it looked directly at the story's intent—what should meaningfully go in this transit—and wasn’t afraid to point out when something was missing. That’s what sets Subtxt apart: it goes beyond simply telling us we’re great writers (though we’ll take that too!) and digs into whether the intended meaning is being fulfilled.

Even more, it provided actionable recommendations on how to enhance this section of the story—proof that the AI isn’t just analyzing the surface but deeply engaging with the underlying narrative structure. And because Subtxt is powered by the Storyform, this critique feels less like nitpicking and more like an affirmation of how tightly constructed narratives align with natural storytelling progression.

It’s fascinating to see how this framework identifies what’s needed to elevate a story to its fullest potential. When it suggests ways to better convey "Becoming," it’s not arbitrary; it’s a reflection of the story’s underlying meaning. And if that’s not confirmation of Baumbach’s genius (and Subtxt’s too), we don’t know what is!

Next, we move to pages 115–153 to explore "Conceptualizing." This transit revolves around forming overarching ideas or abstract plans—moments where characters grapple with the larger frameworks that give their story meaning. Let’s see how Marriage Story ties it all together.

review pages 115-153 and find instances of Conceptualizing.

From pages 115-153 of "Marriage Story," explicit instances of the thematic concept "Conceptualizing" are relatively absent. "Conceptualizing," which focuses on forming overarching schemes, ideas, or designs, is centered on individuals grappling with abstract, larger frameworks for understanding or planning.

To bolster this thematic element, some creative suggestions are:

1. Add a Scene on Co-Parenting Plans:

   • Introduce a reflective moment where Charlie and Nicole brainstorm how to navigate shared custody, showcasing them considering the broader implications for Henry and their future relationship as co-parents.

2. Deepen the Mediator Discussion:

   • Expand on their mediated argument to include discussions about redefining their own individual identities within the context of divorce, their careers, and parenthood.

3. Revisit Professional Transitions:

   • Highlight Nicole and Charlie separately engaging in scenes where they articulate and refine their visions for their professional transitions—whether that’s Nicole envisioning her LA career or Charlie thinking strategically about his theater company in New York.

These additions would weave in a stronger focus on the mental wrestling and dynamic dialogue key to "Conceptualizing." Let me know if you'd like me to draft ideas for any of these refinements! 😊

From pages 115-153 of Marriage Story, explicit instances of the thematic concept "Conceptualizing" are relatively absent. Conceptualizing, which focuses on forming overarching schemes, ideas, or designs, is centered on individuals grappling with abstract, larger frameworks for understanding or planning.

To bolster this thematic element, some creative suggestions are:

1. Add a Scene on Co-Parenting Plans:
   Introduce a reflective moment where Charlie and Nicole brainstorm how to navigate shared custody, showcasing them considering the broader implications for Henry and their future relationship as co-parents.

2. Deepen the Mediator Discussion:
   Expand on their mediated argument to include discussions about redefining their own individual identities within the context of divorce, their careers, and parenthood.

3. Revisit Professional Transitions:
   Highlight Nicole and Charlie separately engaging in scenes where they articulate and refine their visions for their professional transitions—whether that’s Nicole envisioning her LA career or Charlie thinking strategically about his theater company in New York.

Again, we were quite surprised (and pleased) that Muse gave it to us straight—Conceptualizing wasn’t fully present in these pages. This honesty is what makes Subtxt (and Muse) such a valuable tool for writers. It’s not here to sugarcoat or inflate; it’s here to ensure your story aligns with its intended thematic purpose. And just as with "Becoming," this isn’t a critique of Baumbach’s writing but rather a reflection of how these thematic elements might be further brought to the forefront to amplify the story’s meaning.

And honestly, this is where we had another “Woah!” moment. Muse didn’t just identify an area that could be strengthened; it went further, providing specific, actionable recommendations that align with the story’s deeper narrative intent. This is where Subtxt really shines—it’s not just a passive analyzer but an active participant in the creative process.

Summary of Thematic Issues in the Four Transits

Suggestions for Enhancements for the OS Transits:

1. Conceiving: Add scenes where Nicole and Charlie each privately grapple with forming the initial framework of their respective goals, highlighting their internal conflicts and mental resistance during this formative stage.
2. Being: Showcase more nuanced internal struggles, such as Nicole questioning her identity as a mother-director and Charlie confronting his evolving role as Henry's father versus his career-driven self.
3. Becoming: Introduce moments where Charlie grapples more overtly with the transition from an authoritative father to a shared-guardian partnership. This could be visualized in poignant exchanges with Henry or Nicole regarding his diminished role at key moments.
4. Conceptualizing: Expand on mediated discussions or career-planning moments to show each character articulating their big-picture understanding of life post-divorce. Subtle callbacks to earlier themes of control, autonomy, and partnership could underline the reconceptualization of their self-perceptions.

The beauty of these suggestions is that they aren’t arbitrary; they stem from the Storyform’s underlying logic. This reinforces the idea that when a story aligns with Subtxt’s framework, it achieves a natural progression of meaning and resonance. Whether it’s Nicole and Charlie grappling with co-parenting or envisioning their professional futures, these moments of conceptualizing could elevate the already-brilliant Marriage Story to even greater thematic heights.

With this final transit explored, we’ve come full circle in analyzing Marriage Story’s Objective Story Throughline. The journey from Conceiving to Conceptualizing offers an incredible lens through which to view Baumbach’s writing. And thanks to Muse and Subtxt, we’re not just impressed—we’re inspired to craft even more meaningful stories ourselves.

Example 2: The MC Domain, Concern, Issue, and Problem

Now, let’s shift gears and focus on Marriage Story’s Main Character Throughline. If the Objective Story Throughline is the story’s “big picture,” the Main Character Throughline zooms in on the deeply personal—our eyes and ears into the story through the Main Character’s unique perspective. In this case, Charlie serves as our guide, offering a raw and intimate window into his internal struggles, insecurities, and personal baggage.

For Marriage Story, the specific story points in Charlie’s Main Character Throughline are:

• Domain: Mind – The mental state or fixed attitude that dominates Charlie’s perspective.
• Concern: Subconscious – His deep-seated desires, fears, and drives—what lies beneath the surface.
• Issue: Closure – The tension around letting go, finishing something, or achieving emotional resolution.
• Problem: Consider – His tendency to overthink or hesitate, rooted in his inability to make definitive decisions.

These Storypoints form the foundation of the Main Character Throughline, each illuminating key aspects of Charlie’s personal journey. By exploring how these elements unfold in the story, we’ll uncover how Baumbach uses them to craft a compelling Main Character arc that resonates with authenticity and emotional depth.

If we’re analyzing this screenplay within the Muse Workspace of Subtxt, and we’ve already set the Muse Context to this specific Storyform, the process becomes even more streamlined. There’s no need to repeatedly enter all the necessary details—Muse already knows the entire storyform. It can seamlessly apply this framework to every aspect of the analysis, saving us time and ensuring accuracy.

Even outside of the Muse Workspace, the tool fully understands what these story points and terms mean. This eliminates the need to constantly copy and paste definitions or remind Muse of their significance. The result? A comprehensive, well-thought-out analysis that delves into the deeper narrative intent of the story without any unnecessary overhead. Muse isn’t just a helpful assistant; it’s a knowledgeable partner in exploring the intricacies of story structure.

Ready? Let’s see what Muse thinks. 😊

Theoretically, the Main Character Throughline Storypoints are supposed to appear once per Transit, in various stages and forms. Can you revisit each quarter of the screenplay and compare for those MC Storypoints of Domain (Mind), Concern (Subconscious), Issue (Closure), and Problem (Consider)? And throw in the Solution of Reconsider as Charlie is a Changed Main Character in this story.

Here’s a comparison of Charlie’s MC Storypoints, spread across the four Transits (quarters) of the screenplay for Mind, Subconscious, Closure vs. Denial, and Consider as sources of conflict. Observational details are included for each instance, along with opportunities to strengthen weaker coverage.

First Transit (Pages 1–38): Establishing Patterns of Conflict

Mind (Domain): Charlie’s mental rigidity appears early as he asserts his vision of fatherhood. Examples include a kitchen scene where he attempts to command the situation with Henry and conversations where he is fixated on maintaining control .

Subconscious (Concern): Charlie reveals his inner yearning to hold the role of "father-husband-manager." It manifests as underlying frustration when Nicole begins distancing herself, as seen subtly in scenes with Nicole’s theatrical career .

Closure vs. Denial (Issue): This is in full display during his refusal to address how Nicole’s unhappiness evolved. For example, his preference for deferring emotional conversations is demonstrated during the mediator session .

Consider (Problem): Charlie’s inability to make definitive decisions often forces Nicole to take control, leading to discord. The mediator scene highlights his over-consideration, suggesting reluctance to take decisive action .

Strengths/Weaknesses: These Storypoints are well represented early but feel more latent as inner conflicts, potentially benefiting from more dialogue or direct confrontation around Charlie’s fixation and indecisiveness.

Second Transit (Pages 39–76): Escalation of Conflict

Mind (Domain): Charlie insists on maintaining "normalcy," ignoring changes around him. His fixation on being the central figure in Henry’s life creates tension in his interactions with Nicole.

Subconscious (Concern): His subconscious fear of losing Henry or control becomes apparent during disputes with Nicole, particularly when school choices are discussed. This implicit conflict creates rich dramatic tension .

Closure vs. Denial (Issue): Denial is heavily featured in the database search. Charlie refuses to acknowledge his waning influence, especially highlighted in tense moments where Nicole challenges his priorities and fairness .

Consider (Problem): His over-analysis emerges in the courtroom scenes, over-explaining everything in an attempt to "win" definitive answers, only to alienate even supportive perspectives .

Opportunities: Strengthening Subconscious with more visual shows of Charlie’s doubt about fatherhood, such as hesitation during personal choices around co-parenting, could make this richer.

Third Transit (Pages 77–114): Crisis Points

Mind (Domain): Charlie’s unyielding nature plays against the changing dynamics of shared custody, leading to heightened conflict. His insistence on his perspective contributes to deeper rifts .

Subconscious (Concern): His subconscious fears spill into open hostility. For instance, Charlie’s insecurities about Nicole's independence lead to passive-aggressive behavior that contrasts sharply with his theatrical poise .

Closure vs. Denial (Issue): Charlie outright denies Nicole’s perspective, seen in prolonged arguments over legalities and her career shift to LA. It becomes the dramatic pivot as Denial eclipses Closure .

Consider (Problem): Charlie spends considerable time overthinking every legal statement rather than addressing the root emotional issues, adding to his growing frustration .

Suggestions: More pointed moments of Charlie pausing to reflect (without flashbacks) would elevate Mind while adding a raw, visible breakdown scene where Subconscious forces push him toward open self-awareness.

Fourth Transit (Pages 115–153): The Shift and Resolve

Mind (Domain): Charlie begins loosening his control, but not without struggle. Moments like the Halloween exchange encapsulate his shift from fixation to engaging with what Nicole wants for Henry .

Subconscious (Concern): His emotional vulnerability surfaces during the climax. Charlie reluctantly lets go of his idealized view of himself as the irreplaceable father. This is most powerfully captured in his vulnerable moments with Henry .

Closure vs. Denial (Issue): Closure takes center stage as Charlie reads Nicole’s note, symbolically bridging the gap between their perspectives and accepting his role as they part ways.

Consider (Problem): His over-analysis is finally abandoned for practical resolutions—e.g., the haircut scene where he simply accepts Nicole’s gesture instead of overthinking intent or insisting on his way . Strengths: This Transit captures Charlie’s Changed Resolve splendidly, but tying his resolution in with more present-action scenes would anchor these transitions better (e.g., show him relinquishing decisions about Henry to Nicole).

Analysis of Charlie's Changed Resolve and Storypoints

Solution: Reconsider

In the final quarter of the screenplay (pages 115–153), Charlie’s shift towards "Reconsider" becomes apparent, particularly in more reflective and collaborative gestures. Here are key instances:

1. Halloween Exchange with Nicole
   Charlie demonstrates flexibility when Nicole proposes that Henry goes with him for the night despite it being her turn. His tentative acceptance of this plan shows progress in reconsidering his rigid expectations of custody.

2. Emotionally Vulnerable Reading Scene
   In a heartfelt moment, Charlie reads Nicole’s note aloud, allowing himself to absorb her appreciation and perspectives on their shared past. His tears and openness mark a turning point from hardened denial to reconsideration.

• Enhancement Suggestions: Develop scenes that emphasize Charlie's growing adaptability in the present timeline. For example, introduce a scenario where Charlie actively proposes a collaborative solution with Nicole regarding a scheduling conflict, showcasing an organic moment of flexibility. Alternatively, craft a dialogue where Charlie willingly acknowledges Nicole’s sacrifices or perspectives during a co-parenting discussion, signaling an authentic step toward emotional growth and reconsideration.

Conclusion

Charlie’s Changed Resolve emerges organically through reflective moments and newfound compromise, particularly in his interactions with Nicole and Henry. However, reinforcing his journey with additional scenes that focus on explicit decisions to "Reconsider" could further strengthen his transformation. If you'd like, I can assist in drafting scene suggestions to more clearly illustrate these thematic points. 😊

That's quite the comprehensive analysis! 😅

But what could we do to push things even further? Would Muse have a suggestion or two on what we could do to improve the story, while maintaining the thematic integrity of the underlying subtext?

any suggestions for improvement for these four Storypoints and how we can really emphasize them as sources of conflict?

Overall Summary and Room for Improvement

1. Mind: Strong but could delve deeper into visual, physical reactions showing tension rather than focusing solely on verbal expressions.

For example, to illustrate the Domain of Mind as a Source of Conflict, you could focus on:

• Custody Tensions: Instead of internal ruminations, externalize Charlie's mindset by how he responds to key physical objects or gestures that reinforce his conflict. For instance:
  • LA vs. New York Debate: Charlie could physically carry around Henry’s plane ticket stub during tense custody discussions. Nicole noticing it and commenting—"You don't have to hold onto that, Charlie"—can subtly show his unwillingness to let go of his mental framework of being Henry’s "main" parent.

2. Subconscious: Dramatic but could be enhanced via active gestures (e.g., struggling to hold back in key emotional scenes).

For example, to illustrate the Concern of Subconscious as a Source of Conflict, you could focus on:

• Rebuttals in Court: Elevate the courtroom tension by giving Charlie dialogue that shows his thought patterns spiraling out of control. For example:
  • When accused of being “too absent,” Charlie might over-explain himself with anecdotes or rationalizations. Nicole’s lawyer cuts him off sharply, leaving Charlie visibly frustrated, revealing how his inability to shift mentally perpetuates conflict.

3. Closure vs. Denial: Features prominently, though developing less verbal denial early (hesitant body language, avoiding logistics) could set it up better.

For example, to illustrate the Issue of Closure vs. Denial, you could focus on:

• Avoiding Nicole’s Note: Early on, Charlie might actively avoid reading the note Nicole wrote about him. A brief visual cue—like him tucking it into a drawer or tossing it into a pile of papers—could foreshadow his eventual confrontation with it at the end. This subtle denial builds tension for when the note finally takes center stage.
• Dodging Logistics Discussions: During early custody meetings, Charlie could visibly dodge or deflect logistical discussions about Henry’s future (e.g., school plans or holidays). Small body language cues, like looking away or shifting uncomfortably, could illustrate his avoidance of finality.

4. Consider: Charlie often focuses on overthinking legal processes. Extending these habits into emotional dynamics with Henry would flesh out his problem in "real-world stakes."

For example, to illustrate the Problem of Consider as a Source of Conflict, you could focus on:

• Bedtime Hesitations: Charlie might hesitate to read Henry a bedtime story, questioning aloud whether it’s “Nicole’s job” since they’re in LA. Henry’s reaction—perhaps impatience or confusion—could highlight how Charlie’s overthinking disrupts their connection.
• Overthinking Divorce Logistics: Introduce a scene where Charlie obsessively rewrites an email to Nicole about how to split time with Henry, illustrating his internal conflict. He might even rehearse aloud what he plans to say, only to never send the email.

How incredible is all of that?!

The examples and analysis provided for Charlie’s Main Character Throughline offer a detailed view of how his internal journey unfolds across the screenplay. Yet, what makes these insights so valuable is their ability to pinpoint both strengths and areas for improvement. The beauty of working with a framework like Subtxt’s Muse Workspace is that it doesn’t just validate what works; it challenges us to think deeper about the moments where the narrative could resonate more powerfully.

As seen in the Fourth Transit, Charlie’s shift toward resolve is emotionally impactful, but the suggestion to ground his transformations in more present-action scenes is a great example of how we, as writers, can elevate subtle character work. It’s not just about the dialogue or emotional weight—it’s about capturing those moments physically and visually, making Charlie’s evolution tangible and relatable. This is particularly important in screenwriting, where “show, don’t tell” reigns supreme.

What’s even better is that Muse doesn’t stop at detailed written analysis. It can generate visual breakdowns—such as charts or heatmaps—that quickly identify which areas of the screenplay need further development. This makes it easier to spot patterns, see which Transits may be underrepresented, and understand how the emotional beats of the story align with the thematic structure. By pairing this visual clarity with its narrative insights, Muse helps writers zero in on what matters most to elevate their storytelling.

Mind (Domain)

Subconscious (Concern)

Closure vs. Denial (Issue)

Consider (Problem)

Why This Matters

Whether you’re researching a fully realized screenplay like Marriage Story or testing the waters with an early draft, Subtxt with Muse offers insights that elevate your storytelling beyond surface-level analysis. It’s not just about spotting what works or what doesn’t—it’s about understanding why.

Muse helps you tackle those critical, narrative-defining questions that every writer faces:

• What’s the thematic core of your story, and does every scene support it?
• How do your characters’ internal and external conflicts weave together to create a compelling subtext?
• Are you capitalizing on every moment in your script to reinforce the story’s meaning?

Armed with the answers, you’ll not only have a screenplay that resonates—you’ll have the tools and confidence to present your story to investors, producers, or readers with undeniable clarity and conviction (Obviously, not an issue if you’re Noah Baumbach 😄). No matter who you are, Muse ensures your narrative structure is rock solid, leaving no loose threads to unravel under scrutiny.

But it’s not just about identifying gaps; it’s about finding opportunities. Whether it’s Charlie’s internal struggle in Marriage Story or your narrative’s next big turning point, Muse empowers you to make every word, scene, and theme count.

Ready to Try It?

Subtxt with Muse isn’t just a tool; it’s your creative collaborator—always ready to challenge, refine, and enhance your ideas. Whether you’re polishing a near-perfect draft or staring at a blank page, Muse ensures your story’s foundation is as sturdy as its ambition.

And the best part? It’s intuitive and proactive. Muse knows your Storyform inside and out, providing seamless guidance without unnecessary back-and-forth. From detailed analyses to visual breakdowns, Muse lets you see your story in ways you never imagined, offering both high-level insights and granular fixes to take your narrative to the next level.

Your next great story is waiting to be uncovered. Upload your draft today and let Muse reveal the layers of subtext and meaning you didn’t even know were there.

Discover. Analyze. Refine. Muse is here to help your story shine. ✨

Stirring the Pot: How the Storybeat Completion API Can Sweeten Your Writing

The holidays are a perfect backdrop for storytelling—family drama, traditions, and just the right pinch of tension. But weaving those elements into a compelling narrative takes more than inspiration. Enter Subtxt’s Storybeat Completion API, a tool that helps you identify whether your storytelling captures the essential beats of a scene. While this feature is exclusive to Infinite tier subscribers, its lessons on story structure can help every writer understand how to shift a narrative seamlessly from one thematic idea to the next.

Let’s see how it works through the lens of a Christmas story featuring cookies, family traditions, and a very salty mistake.

The Cookie Catastrophe and the Issue of Skill

In our example, the thematic Issue at play is Skill. More specifically, how one character’s lack of skill disrupts a family tradition and reveals deeper relational tensions. Picture the scene:

It’s the annual cookie-baking session at Cedar Cottage, where the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg should herald the season’s joy. But Ophelia, Laurence’s new bride, accidentally swaps salt for sugar in the dough—a misstep that highlights her unpolished approach to baking.

Margaret, the matriarch of tradition, seizes the moment, her voice carrying a razor’s edge as she remarks, “Some recipes require more than just enthusiasm.” The comment lands with precision, leaving Ophelia to swallow her mistake along with the thick tension in the room. Eleanor, ever the peacemaker, steps in with a tight smile, trying to smooth the rough edges before the holiday spirit crumbles entirely. The festive gathering teeters between brittle laughter and whispered discontent, a cracked veneer barely holding the family together.

Behind the scenes (and beneath this scene) is an Issue of Skill, or lack there of. What began as a festive gathering unravels into hushed concerns and a fractured dynamic, showing how a lack of skill can expose fault lines in family relationships.

Breaking Down the Beats

In Subtxt, the thematic Issue of Skill breaks into four Storybeats:

1. Effect – What happens as a result of skill (or lack thereof)? 2. Trust – How does this affect trust among characters? 3. Test – When is skill challenged, and what are the stakes? 4. Cause – What’s the root of the success or failure?

Let’s see how our cookie-baking scene aligns with these beats:

• Effect: Ophelia’s mistake disrupts the session, causing embarrassment and resentment.
  • Trust: Margaret’s cutting remark fractures trust between her and Ophelia, as well as within the family.
  • Test: Ophelia’s baking skills are tested and found lacking, while Eleanor’s attempts to mediate also face scrutiny.
  • Cause: The root of the tension is Ophelia’s unfamiliarity with family traditions and Margaret’s protectiveness of them.

Using the API to Evaluate the Scene

The Storybeat Completion API lets you check whether your scene captures these beats effectively. Here’s how it works:

Submitting Your Scene

You’d submit the storytelling text to the API:

{
    "structure_id": "struct_zzasUFOOOUtgNPmsiGz3Qf2W",
    "storybeat_id": "beat_mh4fnBaYzdgqMZOZajAtjZn0",
    "storytelling": "Ophelia accidentally adds salt instead of sugar to the cookie dough, ruining the batch. Margaret critiques her lack of skill, straining their relationship. Eleanor tries to mediate, but tensions linger, leaving the joyful session in shambles."
}

And for those unfamiliar with codeblocks and JSON, this was the submitted storytelling:

Ophelia accidentally adds salt instead of sugar to the cookie dough, ruining the batch. Margaret critiques her lack of skill, straining their relationship. Eleanor tries to mediate, but tensions linger, leaving the joyful session in shambles.

The Results

If It Passes:

{
    "storybeat_complete": true,
    "explanation": "All four child beats are present in the submitted storytelling. Child Beat 1 (Effect) is represented by Ophelia's salt mishap during the cookie-baking session, which not only disrupts the activity but also reveals deeper tensions within the family dynamic. Child Beat 2 (Trust) is illustrated through Margaret’s reaction to Ophelia’s mistake, which casts doubt on her ability to uphold family traditions and her role within the family. Child Beat 3 (Test) appears in Eleanor’s attempt to mediate and salvage the situation by defending Ophelia, demonstrating her struggle to maintain harmony in the face of rising discord. Child Beat 4 (Cause) is subtly but effectively present in the aftermath of Margaret’s cutting remark, as whispered concerns and lingering unease expose the growing fractures within the family. These moments together create a complete and cohesive parent beat, turning the scene from lighthearted to deeply revealing, with emotional stakes escalating for all involved."
}

In human-speak, that successful response would read as:

All four child beats are present in the submitted storytelling. Child Beat 1 (Effect) is represented by Ophelia's salt mishap during the cookie-baking session, which not only disrupts the activity but also reveals deeper tensions within the family dynamic. Child Beat 2 (Trust) is illustrated through Margaret’s reaction to Ophelia’s mistake, which casts doubt on her ability to uphold family traditions and her role within the family. Child Beat 3 (Test) appears in Eleanor’s attempt to mediate and salvage the situation by defending Ophelia, demonstrating her struggle to maintain harmony in the face of rising discord. Child Beat 4 (Cause) is subtly but effectively present in the aftermath of Margaret’s cutting remark, as whispered concerns and lingering unease expose the growing fractures within the family. These moments together create a complete and cohesive parent beat, turning the scene from lighthearted to deeply revealing, with emotional stakes escalating for all involved.

This means your scene successfully moves the narrative forward while covering all necessary thematic beats.

If It Fails:

{
    "storybeat_complete": false,
    "explanation": "The submitted storytelling partially addresses Child Beat 1, with Ophelia's mistake of adding salt instead of sugar serving as the initial setup and illustrating the ruined dough. However, it does not fully explore the aftermath of this event or how it impacts the broader family dynamic. Child Beat 2 (Trust) is only hinted at through Margaret's critique, but there is no deeper examination of how this mistrust manifests or affects the characters' relationships. Child Beat 3 (Test) is absent, as there is no clear depiction of Ophelia being given another opportunity to prove herself or Eleanor's ability to mediate under challenging circumstances. Finally, Child Beat 4 (Cause) is underdeveloped, as the story does not delve into the underlying causes of Ophelia's failure, such as her unfamiliarity with family traditions, nor does it turn the scene or lead to a definitive conclusion. Without these beats, the storytelling fails to fulfill the parent beat's objective of illustrating tensions and the impact of skill (or lack thereof) on familial harmony."
}

And for the more writerly-inclined:

The submitted storytelling partially addresses Child Beat 1, with Ophelia's mistake of adding salt instead of sugar serving as the initial setup and illustrating the ruined dough. However, it does not fully explore the aftermath of this event or how it impacts the broader family dynamic. Child Beat 2 (Trust) is only hinted at through Margaret's critique, but there is no deeper examination of how this mistrust manifests or affects the characters' relationships. Child Beat 3 (Test) is absent, as there is no clear depiction of Ophelia being given another opportunity to prove herself or Eleanor's ability to mediate under challenging circumstances. Finally, Child Beat 4 (Cause) is underdeveloped, as the story does not delve into the underlying causes of Ophelia's failure, such as her unfamiliarity with family traditions, nor does it turn the scene or lead to a definitive conclusion. Without these beats, the storytelling fails to fulfill the parent beat's objective of illustrating tensions and the impact of skill (or lack thereof) on familial harmony.

This feedback provides actionable insights. Maybe you add a moment where Ophelia tries to fix the dough but faces another challenge, or a flashback to her first Christmas without a family of her own, deepening the story’s emotional resonance.

Why Writers Should Care

Even if you’re not using the API directly, understanding how it evaluates storytelling can enhance your writing. Here’s why:

1. It Clarifies Storybeat Dynamics:
   By analyzing how Effect, Trust, Test, and Cause interact, you’ll sharpen your ability to craft scenes that resonate with readers.

   2. It’s a Learning Tool Disguised as Tech:
      The API doesn’t just tell you if your scene works—it explains why. That kind of clarity helps you identify missing elements and improve naturally, without sacrificing your artistic voice.

Baking Stories to Perfection

The Storybeat Completion API is more than a feature; it’s a guide to refining your craft. Behind the scenes, we’re using its capabilities to enhance Muse and other tools, making them smarter at generating, analyzing, and supporting your narrative. Imagine brainstorming freely while the API quietly ensures your story stays on track—giving you a gentle nudge when you stray or a hearty thumbs up when you’re on point.

Curious? Check out the Storybeat Completion documentation to see how it all works. Whether you’re polishing your manuscript or perfecting a scene about salty cookies, this API is here to make your storytelling shine.

Here’s to filling every story gap with heart, skill, and a dash of holiday spirit. 🍪✨

Text Isn’t the Story: Why Hollywood’s AI Panic Is Missing the Point

AI can't steal story structure or meaning

If you’ve been scrolling social media lately, you’ve probably seen chatter about an article from The Atlantic, ominously titled, “There’s No Longer Any Doubt that Hollywood Writing is Powering AI.” It paints a picture of screenwriters and TV creators as David against AI’s Goliath—stories being stolen, creative livelihoods threatened. But here’s the thing: the article completely misses the most important point about what makes a narrative work. And the frenzy it’s causing? Totally unnecessary.

Here’s our take: Let them “steal” subtitles. Seriously. Subtitles, as a collection of text, are superficial. They are not the story. And trying to replicate narrative structure based on scraped dialogue is like trying to reverse-engineer a cake recipe by tasting crumbs off the floor.

Let’s unpack why.

Text Is the Shadow, Not the Substance

The Atlantic article reveals that OpenSubtitles—a sprawling dataset of movie and TV subtitles—has been used to train AI models. It implies this raw text has intrinsic value for understanding and recreating narrative. But here’s the reality: dialogue is just the surface of storytelling.

Think about your favorite movie or show. Was it great because of the specific words characters said, or because of how those words tied into deeper meaning? Dialogue operates in service of a broader structure: the interplay of character arcs, conflicts, thematic questions, and resolution. Subtitles capture none of that.

To quote the article itself:

"The files within this data set are not scripts, exactly. Rather, they are subtitles...a raw form of written dialogue.”

Right. Raw is the operative word here. Subtitles strip away context, subtext, and intent. They don’t include who’s speaking, where the story is heading, or why a particular line resonates. This is why the idea that AI could replace a writer using this dataset is laughable. Without structure, dialogue is just noise.

Replicating Results Is Not Understanding Process

The bigger issue is the flawed assumption underlying the panic: that training AI on finished dialogue somehow equals an understanding of narrative. It doesn’t. Replicating what a story looks like is fundamentally different from understanding how it works.

Narrative structure is about order—how events and choices build towards meaning. Finished stories, like subtitles, often leave out the connective tissue that makes the whole coherent. If you try to model storytelling by analyzing results alone, you’re not learning how stories are built—you’re modeling chaos.

This is something we’ve discovered firsthand. When training AI to create complete, compelling narratives, synthetic data—created to emphasize structural clarity—was far more effective than curated, human-written scripts. Why? Because human works, polished for public consumption, necessarily omit the scaffolding that holds the story together. Trying to learn storytelling from finished dialogue is like trying to understand architecture by staring at building facades.

Synthetic Data vs. Analyzed Data: Why It Matters

Here’s where things get really interesting. The Atlantic article’s horror at synthetic writing misses the value of synthetic data in understanding storytelling. Unlike human-authored scripts or raw subtitles, synthetic datasets can be designed to showcase story structure explicitly.

For example, synthetic data can map:

• How a Main Character’s personal dilemma impacts the resolution of the plot.
• The escalation of conflict through each act.
• How thematic questions weave through a narrative’s spine.

AI trained on this kind of data learns process. It doesn’t mimic the surface-level chaos of a finished product; it models the logical order that makes a story work. By contrast, the OpenSubtitles dataset isn’t even training on scripts—it’s training on fragments divorced from the larger whole. And this is supposed to threaten human storytellers?

Stop Amplifying Artists’ Insecurity

We get it. Artists are worried. And this kind of reporting—though attention-grabbing—feeds into unnecessary fear. But there’s a critical distinction to be made: training on data like OpenSubtitles doesn’t mean AI can create stories that work.

“The OpenSubtitles data set adds yet another wrinkle to a complex narrative around AI, in which consent from artists...are points of contention.”

Consent and copyright are important conversations, but let’s not conflate those concerns with whether this data is a legitimate substitute for human creativity. It isn’t.

If AI developers want to train systems that can actually write coherent narratives, they’ll need a dataset that goes far beyond “raw dialogue.” They’ll need to understand structure, intent, and meaning. And that? That’s not something you can steal from a DVD’s subtitles folder.

The Takeaway: Hollywood’s Secret Sauce Is Safe

At the heart of all this panic is a misunderstanding of storytelling. Narratives aren’t just dialogue or surface elements; they’re built on deeper frameworks of conflict, growth, and resolution. Scraping subtitles doesn’t teach an AI how to weave a thematic tapestry or craft a character arc.

So, let’s stop panicking. Hollywood’s secret sauce isn’t in the words spoken on-screen—it’s in the meaning beneath them. And that’s not something you can download.

Stay calm, storytellers. Chaos will never beat order. 📚

Genre Dynamics in Subtxt: Turning Structure into Storytelling Magic

Infusing your stories with personal intention

Sometimes, a story just feels...fine. The beats are solid, the characters make sense, and the structure holds together—but something’s missing. It’s like assembling the frame of a house without ever imagining the color of the walls, the scent of fresh wood, or the warmth of sunlight streaming through the windows. That’s where Genre Dynamics, the newest addition to Subtxt, comes in.

This feature helps you go beyond the cold-hard facts of how a story begins and ends, allowing you to explore the essence of your narrative: the tone, style, and atmosphere that make your story uniquely yours. And the best way to see the difference? Two takes on the same story: "Lunar Divide," a sci-fi epic about humans vs. AIs on the moon.

What is Genre Dynamics?

At its core, Genre Dynamics is a sandbox for defining your story’s personality. It’s where you can sketch out your ideas for setting, tone, visual style, and even the cultural or emotional undercurrents of your world. It’s more than window dressing—it’s about giving your story a point-of-view.

Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

• Adds Depth: Aesthetic, social, and emotional cues that enrich the narrative.
• Guides Muse: Helps Subtxt generate story elements that match your vision.
• Reveals New Possibilities: Unearths themes or story angles you hadn’t considered.

When we introduced a new generation of Objective Storybeats and Story Drivers, we realized something was missing. The structure was strong, but the output lacked the vibrancy and specificity that make a story unforgettable. Genre Dynamics fixes that by letting you “color in” the story world, providing Muse with the creative direction it needs to bring your story to life.

Lunar Divide: The Transformation

Let’s look at how Genre Dynamics shaped Lunar Divide into two radically different experiences.

Version 1: Competent, But Lacking Personality
The first pass of Lunar Divide delivers a functional sci-fi story. The beats are there: escalating conflicts, climactic battles, and a resolution that ties everything together. But the world feels generic. The moon colony is a blank slate, and the characters’ struggles are more mechanical than emotional. It’s a solid blueprint but lacks the distinctive personality to stand out.

Version 2: Genre Dynamics Applied
With Genre Dynamics, the story becomes a gripping, visceral experience. The 1970s sci-fi aesthetic infuses every scene with grit and realism: analog tech, worn-down spacesuits, and a lunar colony that’s both oppressive and hauntingly beautiful. The human-vs-AI conflict is no longer just physical—it’s a meditation on survival, corruption, and the thin line between humanity and machine. Muse weaves these elements into every beat, creating a story that feels alive and deeply personal.

Examples of Genre Dynamics in Action

Here’s where things get crazy—in the best way. When I first asked Muse to generate Genre Dynamics for Lunar Divide, I kept it simple:

"Can you write me some Genre Dynamics for my sci-fi action story, that takes place on the moon? I want it to feel like a 1970s science-fiction—gritty reality—humans against AIs."

The results blew me away.

Visual Tone

Muse suggested scratched-up metallic surfaces, analog tech (clunky control panels, flashing lights, mechanical keyboards), and spacesuits that looked more industrial than sleek.

Example:

The moon colony isn’t pristine—it’s lived-in, raw, and full of signs of maintenance issues. Even the AIs mirror this aesthetic: their physical forms are a patchwork of scarred metal, aggressive in functionality but devoid of polish.

I hadn’t even considered how much the look of the world could define its emotional impact. And this will have a huge influence down the road, once greater and more capable image and audio generation features are folded into Subtxt.

Human Mechanics Amplified

Muse then took the theme of humanity and grit to the next level:

"To contrast with the inhuman precision of AIs, dig into human grit—the blood, sweat, and even desperation. Flesh and bone against metal and data. Make it truly personal."

Example Cinematic Beat:

Zeke, wearing a patched-up mining suit, slugs a sputtering AI 'enforcer bot' with an improvised tungsten hammer before stealing its power core to jump-start the oxygen shield. It’s messy, brutal, and barely heroic.

In the Players section of Subtxt, Zeke’s role in the Objective Story was initially described as:

a miner-turned-reluctant hero who discovers his superhuman abilities and becomes a key figure in the human resistance.

On its own, this description works, but it lacks the tactile sense of how Zeke’s struggle plays out. Enter the new Genre Dynamics Overview and an insanely wonderful update powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model. Muse generated details that went beyond structure, diving deep into the essence of the story and the subtext behind Zeke’s character.

The result? Zeke stopped being a generic “reluctant hero” and transformed into someone you can feel: someone exhausted, improvising, and scrapping for survival. It’s the human “ability”—the raw grit, emotional drive, and willingness to risk everything—that stands against the AI’s cold, superhuman precision.

This dynamic isn’t just about conflict; it’s about the meaning behind it. The story becomes a meditation on the tension between human imperfection and AI efficiency. Zeke’s triumphs don’t come from superior strength or intelligence but from his ability to adapt, endure, and persevere in ways that the AIs—despite their technological superiority—simply can’t. And that ties explicitly back into the structural meaning, or Storyform, of the piece: where Ability (or lack thereof) drives conflict within the central plot.

It’s a subtle, powerful commentary on what it means to be human: the messy, desperate, and beautifully resilient nature of our abilities. This shift in focus, made possible by the combination of Genre Dynamics and advanced generation tools, adds a layer of meaning that resonates far beyond the action beats.

Social Backdrop Twists

Then came a suggestion that added layers:

"Embed the decadence of 70s corporate dystopia where the space program isn’t about heroism anymore—it’s industrial survivalism. The moon colony functions less as an ideal and more as a bleak operation for dwindling resources that breeds oppression against both humans and AIs alike."

Suddenly, this wasn’t just a story about humans vs. AIs. It was a story about the systems both were trapped in—turning the rebellion into something bigger, messier, and more thematically rich.

Worldbuilding Dynamic:
Commander Kane, the human leader of the colony, becomes a symbol of humanity’s corrupted brutality—more terrifying than the AIs. The final turning point pits Zeke against Kane himself, questioning who the real enemy is.

Again, more essence of narrative than structural meaning, yet perfectly illustrative of the kind of story I was interested in telling with Subtxt.

Why Genre Dynamics Matter

Without Genre Dynamics, you might create a perfectly fine story—well-structured, but missing the spark that makes it memorable. With Genre Dynamics, you get to steer the storytelling process, infusing your narrative with a unique perspective that resonates on every level.

Here’s how it works:

1. Define Your Story’s Essence: Use the Genre Dynamics Overview to jot down your ideas for tone, setting, style, and more.
2. Let Muse Do the Heavy Lifting: Muse incorporates these details into its generation process, aligning every beat with your creative vision.
3. Iterate for Precision: Refine as you go to keep your story grounded in its essence.

Ready to see the difference? Download the PDFs of both versions of Lunar Divide to experience firsthand how Genre Dynamics transforms a story:

Download Version 1

Download Version 2

Note that in both versions this is just an example of the Objective Story Throughline: the plot, if you will. By definition, the OS Throughline is cold and calculated--lacking heart, emotion, and empathy. These necessary elements arise within the other three subjective Throughlines (Main Character, Obstacle Character, and Relationship Story), and will be attended to in short time given our results with this new approach.

Whether you’re crafting a retro sci-fi epic or an intimate character drama, Genre Dynamics ensures that your narrative is more than just well-constructed. It’s vibrant. It’s personal. It’s yours.

Dive into Subtxt today and see how your next draft can go from “good” to unforgettable. 🌌

Enhancing Perspectives with BrainstormingAI Updates

The latest on our efforts to improve meaningful storytelling

Subtxt’s BrainstormingAI just got a boost, and we’re here to break it down. The latest updates refine how the feature handles Perspectives, delivering sharper illustrations of Throughlines—those pivotal threads that guide every great story. Whether you’re shaping an intricate novel or the next breakout screenplay, these updates promise to inspire your narrative genius.

We put these updates to the test from November 11–20, 2024, comparing the Standard and Advanced models to evaluate how well they generate effective story Perspectives. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot to celebrate—and a few areas to grow.

How Did BrainstormingAI Perform?

We examined the performance across the four key Throughlines: Objective Story, Main Character, Obstacle Character, and Relationship Story. Here’s what we found.

Objective Story Throughline

The Advanced model aced it with a flawless 100%. This result shows the feature can craft a cohesive, overarching conflict for your story—a huge win for big-picture thinkers.

Main Character Throughline

Here’s where things get tricky. While the Advanced model captured some personal journey elements, it only hit 42% of our criteria. That’s a signal for more work on tapping into the emotional core of Main Characters.

Obstacle Character Throughline

Slightly better but still a work in progress, the Advanced model scored 54%. Capturing the Obstacle Character’s counterpoint is crucial for compelling drama, and there’s room to make this dynamic more precise.

Relationship Story Throughline

This Throughline was the most balanced. The Standard model landed a respectable 60%, while the Advanced model pushed the needle to 75%, proving its knack for portraying evolving dynamics between characters.

Visualizing the Data

Here’s a quick look at how the models stack up across Throughlines:

What We Learned (and What’s Next)

1. Objective Story: A Standout Success

The Advanced model’s top-notch performance here proves it’s possible to create AI tools that resonate with complex narrative structures.

2. Main and Obstacle Characters: Room for Growth

These Throughlines challenge even the most experienced writers, so it’s no surprise the AI needs refinement. Most models have been trained on the notion that Protagonist and Main Character are the same, and that Obstacle Character equals Antagonist. Not true. Future updates will prioritize emotional depth and psychological nuance.

3. Relationship Story: A Strong Start

This one was surprising as both models showed promise, especially the Advanced one, in an area typically difficult for most writers to understand. By building on this foundation, we can help writers capture the heartbeat of their stories—the relationships that tie it all together.

The Road Ahead

Our next steps include:

• Extending the Objective Story success across all Throughline Perspectives.
• Deepening the AI’s understanding of emotional arcs for Main and Obstacle Characters.
• Enhancing the Relationship Story’s intuitive insights.
• Incorporating real-time user feedback to shape future updates.

Why It Matters

Stories are about more than just events—they’re about the conflux of meaningful perspectives. Subtxt’s BrainstormingAI is designed to help writers bring these perspectives to life. With every update, we’re moving closer to making storytelling not only easier but also richer and more fulfilling.

So, let’s keep pushing boundaries, one Throughline at a time. Ready to elevate your story? Dive into Subtxt today.

Happy writing! 📖✨

How Subtxt Uses Evaluations to Build Smarter AI for Better Stories

Smarter AI, sharper stories, constant evolution

At Narrative First, we believe storytelling is as much an art as it is a science. That’s why we’re constantly refining the tools we offer to help you bring your stories to life. A big part of this process is evaluating and improving the AI models that power features like BrainstormingAI. These evaluations don’t just measure success—they guide us toward smarter, more insightful storytelling tools.

Recently, we compared two of our AI models—the Standard model and the Advanced model—to see how they measure up in delivering narrative insights. These evaluations don’t just highlight what’s working; they reveal where we can dig deeper to improve. Here’s what we found—and how it’s shaping the future of Subtxt.

Testing What Matters Most

Every story has a structure, a progression, and a reason to exist. To ensure our AI understands these elements, we evaluate it across four key areas:

1. Method as a Source of Conflict: Can the AI recognize how a character’s approach to solving problems creates tension in the story?
2. Understanding the Definition of the Method: Does the AI grasp what the Method really means and how it operates in context?
3. Avoiding Conflict Pitfalls: Can it avoid common storytelling traps, like substituting vague conflicts ("struggling to," "threatening to") for meaningful tension?
4. Development of Story Context: Does it help build and deepen the narrative as the story progresses?

These criteria ensure that Subtxt’s AI isn’t just generating ideas but genuinely helping you create narratives that resonate.

The Results: Advanced Model Outperforms, But There’s More to Learn

Our evaluations revealed that the Advanced model consistently scored higher than the Standard model across most criteria. For example:

• In Avoiding Conflict, the Advanced model scored 92%, outperforming the Standard model’s 85%. This means it’s better at identifying direct and meaningful sources of tension.
• In Understanding the Definition of the Method, the Advanced model nearly aced it with 99%, compared to the Standard model’s 97%.

But even with these wins, there’s always room for growth. When it came to the Development of Story Context, the Advanced model scored slightly lower (81%) than the Standard model (82%). This told us something important: while the Advanced model excels at identifying and defining conflict, there’s still work to be done in helping it guide users through the nuanced progression of a story.

Subtxt Is Learning From Subtxt

These evaluations aren’t just numbers on a chart. They’re insights into how Subtxt can improve itself. When we see areas like Development of Story Context fall short, it sparks a deeper dive into why. We analyze the feedback loop between the AI and your stories, looking for patterns and opportunities to teach the AI how to better understand the subtleties of narrative progression.

And this is where Subtxt shines. By using Subtxt to evaluate itself, we’re creating a system that’s constantly learning and improving. It’s like having a story development and narrative design expert who’s not only getting better at understanding your needs but is also teaching itself how to be the best storyteller possible.

What This Means for You

For you, this all translates into smarter, more reliable tools that feel like a true creative partner. Whether you’re using BrainstormingAI to refine your character arcs or to pinpoint thematic nuances, these continuous improvements mean you’ll always have the best possible insights at your fingertips.

We’re not just building tools; we’re building a smarter, more intuitive system that evolves with every story it touches. Subtxt isn’t just learning to think like a storyteller—it’s learning to think like you.

George Orwell, AI, and the Soul of Storytelling

Why creative AI tools don’t replace the writer

It’s fascinating that George Orwell, even in 1946, was speculating about the potential for machines to automate storytelling—a notion that feels oddly prophetic today, especially in the age of AI and large language models. Orwell’s idea of machinery-driven fiction, where human creativity is minimized, has interesting parallels to today’s creative tools and raises questions about the role of the writer.

“perhaps some kind of low-grade sensational fiction will survive, produced by a sort of conveyor-belt process that reduces human initiative to the minimum. It would probably not be beyond human ingenuity to write books by machinery...”

Orwell’s “conveyor-belt” fiction, where books become products churned out by machines, does bring to mind how some people view AI-generated content today. We’ve all seen examples where AI creates quick, surface-level content that might feel disposable or formulaic—think of autogenerated news summaries or “clickbait” content. Yet, what Orwell anticipated with his versificator and “novel-writing machines” feels more like a dystopian take on AI, focusing on efficiency over artistry.

In the context of Subtxt, however, this vision takes a different spin. Instead of a mechanical, soulless generation of content, Subtxt helps writers engage in an interactive, thoughtful process. Unlike Orwell’s fictional machines, which produced finished “rubbishy” products without much human input, Subtxt invites the writer to think through their story rather than replacing them in the storytelling. It’s not about pushing a button to get a finished story, but more like a structured dialogue with your narrative to uncover layers and deepen meaning.

There’s also a key difference in how Subtxt respects the writer’s vision. Orwell’s machines remove the “initiative” and personal imprint of the writer. In contrast, Subtxt emphasizes a writer’s agency, using AI and narrative theory to enhance the creative process without taking it over. Where Orwell saw machinery as replacing human effort, Subtxt acts more as a guide, helping authors shape and refine their work in a way that feels organic.

As for large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, they certainly don’t produce “jam or bootlaces”—at least not if guided with the right prompts. LLMs aren’t about blindly spitting out content; they can be as sophisticated as the guidance they receive. However, they still lack the genuine creative spark that Orwell’s vision feared losing—the one that comes from a writer’s individual thought process and values.

Ultimately, Orwell’s predictions serve as a cautionary reminder: the real magic of storytelling lies in that unique human ability to infuse a narrative with intent, nuance, and emotional truth. Tools like Subtxt are less about shortcutting this process and more about enhancing it, giving writers a way to “think their way” into their story rather than just passively generating content. Orwell’s machinery-driven writing is a warning of what could be lost, but when approached thoughtfully, AI can actually serve to help writers deepen and clarify their unique visions.

Beyond the Logline: Why Your Story May Have More Depth Than a Single Line

Discovering what lies beneath the first introduction to a story

In the world of film and TV, loglines are the quick, punchy, industry-standard way to summarize a story. They give a snapshot of the plot, hinting at the main conflict, key players, and stakes. But as Steve and Jim from our Discord community recently discussed, loglines often only scratch the surface, focusing mainly on the Objective Story (OS) Throughline. When you're serious about crafting a meaningful and memorable narrative, you have to go deeper.

In the exchange, Steve rightly pointed out something crucial: loglines often feel "OS throughline-centric." This is the part of the story where we get a glimpse of the larger plot-line or conflict driving everyone forward. Think of it as the exterior action, the problem the world is facing, or the tension escalating on a grand scale. But as Jim showed through several examples, these short one-liners can sometimes hint at something more just beneath the surface.

Loglines foretell a glimpse of the narrative structure underneath--if you know what to look for.

Your Typical Logline

Here’s an example Jim shared from the thriller Crimson Tide:

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsey insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

This logline is classic OS throughline material—focused on global stakes, the threat to everyone involved, and the Protagonist’s counteractions. This example is your typical logline focused on plot and Protagonist, and for most stories that's enough.

Here's the logline for The Constant Gardener:

 Justin Quayle is a low-level British diplomat who has always gone about his work very quietly, not causing any problems. But after his radical wife Tessa is killed he becomes determined to find out why, thrusting himself into the middle of a very dangerous conspiracy.

Again, pure Objective Story and Protagonist-- and for most that's fine...

But not all loglines are created equally. Where is the Objective Story Throughline in this logline from Columbus?

When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin finds himself stranded in Columbus, Indiana - a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many significant modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey, a young architecture enthusiast who works at the local library.

This logline is all Main Character, Relationship Story, and Obstacle Character Throughline...not a hint of plot anywhere. What gives?

Beyond the Basics: Integrating Multiple Throughlines

Key to understanding the “structure” of a logline is appreciating the Four Throughlines of a complete story:

• Objective Story Throughline (plot)
• Main Character Throughline (personal baggage)
• Obstacle Character Throughline (catalyst provocateur)
• Relationship Story Throughline (the heart of a narrative)

The logline from Colombus reflects the focus of the film’s portrayal of the underlying narrative: it’s all the subjective throughlines (MC, OC, and RS) with just a dash of the objective throughline.

Knowing what you want to say and how your story is constructed can help you in the construction of a powerful and meaningful logline.

Jim shared a powerful breakdown of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which expands beyond the OS:

An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliot who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliot, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.

Here, we not only get a sense of the OS (the danger E.T. faces from authorities) but also a glimpse into the Relationship Story (RS) Throughline: Elliot’s deepening bond with E.T. This layer of connection, empathy, and friendship with an alien being transforms E.T. from a simple alien-on-the-run narrative into a heartfelt story about love and connection.

A Look Inside: How Subtxt Expands a Logline

Subtxt takes things further by helping writers create what Jim calls a “story snapshot”—a short description that encapsulates not just the OS but hints at the other essential throughlines. Take Jim’s case study on a revamped House on Haunted Hill:

In the haunted halls of a mansion, guests must unravel a web of deceit and spectral threats to survive the night, driven by a deadly game orchestrated by their sinister hosts. With courage trembling beneath her skin, Nora combats her deep-seated insecurities and faces the terrifying unknown, seeking empowerment through the shadows that haunt her.

Here, we see not just the Objective Story throughline of deceit and terror but also Nora’s internal journey--what Subtxt and Dramatica theory would call the Main Character Throughline. She’s more than a terrified guest; she’s a character battling insecurities, on a personal path toward empowerment. Each Throughline—OS, MC, RS, and OC—adds depth, tension, and meaning that a logline alone can’t capture.

And for even more depth, Jim adds in that Obstacle Character focus:

In a treacherous, ghost-filled mansion filled with deceit and otherworldly dangers, seasoned test pilot Lance leads a diverse group of guests as they race against time to uncover the secrets lurking behind every shadow. As the night thickens with peril, Nora confronts her own insecurities to find strength, while Lance's determination and faith in exposing hidden truths may be the key to their survival.

Here, we feel the essence of the OS—an eerie, high-stakes survival game—and we also get hints of the Main Character and Relationship Story Throughlines, along with Obstacle Character dynamics. Lance’s leadership and Nora’s internal growth are integral to the story (Lance also happens to be the Protagonist in this version), and rolling them into the logline makes it more compelling than one just focused on the Objective Story.

Compare the above to the logline from the original 1959 film:

A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.

Nothing more here than the mere suggestion of a "tale"--and the film bears out that reality in the final result (i.e., it's an incomplete story).

Why Your Story Deserves More Than a Logline

Loglines serve a purpose—they get the attention of producers, directors, and audiences. But if you're serious about your story, you want more than attention; you want depth. The complete story structure within Subtxt and Dramatica theory provides this by guiding you beyond the OS and into the heart of every character arc and relationship.

Your story’s logline may be the first step, but with Subtxt, it’s just that—a start. From there, you can dive into the layers of each Throughline and find what truly makes your story resonate with audiences on every level.