Writing Tools   Novelists Screenwriters Learn the Craft    FREE with ANY PURCHASE The Writer's  Survival Kit Bonus Package A $300 Value  (Details)  (Details) Prefer to order by mail or fax? (Details)  StoryWeaver   Write Your Novel Step by Step      $29.95     Dramatica   Perfect Structure      $179.95     12 Hour Writing Course    Learn Story Structure      $19.95	Instant Dramatica Musings from Armando Saldaņa Mora On Archetypes If you're working with archetypal characters -or doing the very recomended technique of developing a character as an archetype and then"swapping elements" in order to make her a complex character- here are the basic views about the central issue of the objective throughline: Protagonist: Is in favor or against that issue (or maybe isn't completely sure about his position) but he's leading all the actions for -or against-the issue. Antagonist: Is diametrically opposed to the Protagonist (If the protagonist is in favor, he's against and voice-overs) and he does anything in his power to stop all the actions the protagonist's leading. Guardian: She tries to shed the light of conscience and show the "true way"about that issue. Contagonist: He's tempting everyone out of his paths. And bringing other issues -or additional information about the same issue- just to confuse. Sidekick: She supports one side completely. Be it the protagonist's or the antagonist's. Skeptic: He doubts both sides. He's his own man. Emotion: Basically has no reasons for or against the issue, but strongemotional conflict for or against it. Reason: Analyzes the issue in a dispassionate way. Takes a side as long as it's rational. So, briefly, using an example of "The end justifies the means" in a story of, say, a nuclear power plant (the cheap energy justifies the nuclear waste) in which the protagonist is against that power plant: The Protagonist tries to make everyone conscious of the dangers of the plant (the means). The Antagonist tries to stop the protagonist campaign so the town keeps agreeing about the cheap energy (end) issue. The Guardian agrees with the protagonist, since she has conscience about the dangers, but tries to make the protagonist seek better ways of making the people conscious. The Contagonist tries to seduce the protagonist out of her quest (over tire a good public relations job at the plant), so he goes along with the"means justifies ends" issue. The Sidekick supports the (let's say) Antagonist, (he's some kind of super loyal plant employee), he also goes along. The Skeptic doesn't thinks the plant (means) is good, but doesn't want a raise on the electric bill either (end). He's against all. Emotion supports the protagonist in this case (she's some kind of emotional hippie protester) but makes trouble at all protests. Reason is a scientist researching about sun energy. The protagonist tries to support her efforts. So, as you can see, you can play with your characters for or against the issue as much as you want. But, in order to have conflict, you must have at least one character disagreeing with the others.	Writing Tips   Articles Free Classes Downloads Read it Online   Top Articles   Be a Storyweaver NOT a Story Mechanic!   How to Create Great Characters! A Novelist's Bag of Tricks A Screenwriter's Bag of Tricks Character Arc 101 Heroes and Villains   Top Classes   Progressive Plot Points   Audience "Reach" A Story is an Argument Dramatica Theory The Story Mind Time Locks and Option Locks   Top Downloads DEMOS   StoryWeaver   Dramatica Movie Magic Power Structure Between The Lines Final Draft

Index of Dramatica Theory Materials Storymind.com is pleased to present this collection of materials about the Dramatica Theory of Story. We hope you find it both useful and through-provoking. This information is divided into three sections: The Dramatica Theory A complete exploration of the theory in every detail Historic Documents The development of Dramatica from the beginning Speculations Dramatica applied to psychology, physics, religion and more The Dramatica Theory Dramatica Theory Book Online Free online edition of the 400+ page book, Dramatica: A New theory of Story, in which Melanie Anne Phillips & Chris Huntley originally documented their work. Dramatica Dictionary Official definitions of all terms in the Dramatica theory and software. Dramatica Writing Tips Useful and informative articles on how to approach and employ both the Dramatica Theory and Software. Constructive Criticisms Practical illustrations of how applying the Dramatica theory could have made some well-known successful story's even better! Dramatica Q & A Answers to questions from users of the Dramatica Theory and Software. Instant Dramatica Even more directly practical essays on using Dramatica for real-world writing situations and problems provided by noted screenwriter Armando Saldaņa Mora. Historic Documents Dramatica - The Lost Theory Book Early attempts to document the theory, including many unfinished conjectures and false starts. Dramatica Development Archives Early documents created during the development of the foundations of Dramatica.  Often later discarded, they show the roots of the thinking that ultimately evolved into the theory as it stands today. Speculations Deep Theory Transcript of a class on the outer fringes of Dramatica Theory I taught as part of a now-defunct Dramatica Certification course. Dramatica Math A mathematician takes a stab at describing the Dramatica model in terms of dimensional distortions. Mental Relativity An exploration of the theory of psychology modeling which grew out of the development of Dramatica. Dramatica I Ching Several of our users have noticed a similarity between the character grid in Dramatica and the elements of the traditional I Ching.  Though unintentional, perhaps all models that look deeply into the mind will resemble each other. Our Most Popular Products StoryWeaver Story Development Software By far, our most popular product, outselling all of our other products combined!  StoryWeaver takes you step by step through the entire process--from initial inspiration to completed novel or screenplay.  At just $29.95, StoryWeaver is affordable for any writer.  (Details) Movie Magic Screenwriter is one of two industry standard word processing screenplay formatters, the other being Final Draft.  Each of these programs offers a complete suite of screenwriting tools to make your next script a breeze to write.  (Details)  Dramatica Pro Unlike any other story development product, Dramatica Pro uses a patented Story Engine to interactively help you build a structure, find and fix dramatica holes and inconsistencies.  (Details) 12 Hour Writing Course on CD ROM This intense program features 12 hours of video documenting the entire college-level course in creative writing given by Melanie Anne Phillips, creator of StoryWeaver and co-creator of Dramatica.  Just $19.95  (Details) More Contact Us - About Us - Lowest Price Guarantee - Shipping - Return Policy - Bonus Package Copyright Melanie Anne Phillips - Owner, Storymind.com, Creator Storyweaver, Co-creator Dramatica