Selecting Your Story’s Requirements

Requirements are the essential steps or circumstances which must be met in order to reach the story’s Goal. If we were to select a story’s Requirements before any other appreciation, it would simply be a decision about the kinds of activities or endeavors we want to concentrate on as the central effort of our story. If we have already selected our story’s Goal, however, much has already been determined that may limit which Types are appropriate to support that Goal.

Although the model of dramatic relationships implemented in the Dramatica software can determine which are the best candidates to be chosen for a given appreciation, the ultimate decision must rest with the author. “Trust your feelings, Luke,” says Obi Wan to young Skywalker. When selecting appreciations that advice is just as appropriate.

From the Dramatica Theory Book