Category Archives: Definitions

All too often, authors get mired in the details of a story, trying to cram everything in and make all the pieces fit.  Characters are then seen only as individuals, so they often unintentionally overlap each other’s dramatic functions. The … Continue reading →

It has been argued that perhaps the symbols we use are what create concepts, and therefore no common understanding between cultures, races, or times is possible. Dramatica works because indeed there ARE common concepts: morality, for example. Morality, a common … Continue reading →

One way to improve your writing is to look at a good story and learn from it.  Another way it to see what’s wrong with a bad story and think about how to fix it.  But you seldom see writers … Continue reading →

Does your story suffer from “Multiple Personality Disorder?”   Find out in this short article that gets to the heart of your story’s identity.   Psychoanalyze Your Story!

A writer recently asked, do the Dramatica software and theory support multiple protagonists (several people trying to achieve the goal for themselves)? First, the short answer is yes, Dramatica supports that. But there’s more. Here’s the long answer (bear with … Continue reading →

Exactly what ARE the Protagonist and Antagonist?

All about the 8 Essential Archetypal Characters…

Have your characters write their own life stories For your characters to be compelling, your readers will need to think of them as real people, not just dramatic functionaries or collections of traits. To help make this happen, have each … Continue reading →