Just updated – your favorite articles on creative writing, story development, story structure and narrative science:

Our Most Popular Articles on Writing of All Time

Title		Views
The 8 Archetypal Characters		7,562
Dramatica Audio Program		2,303
Dramatica Theory Book		1,746
Dramatica Video Program		1,526
Sidekick & Skeptic Archetypes		1,297
The Best Story Structure Articles of 2012		1,209
Objective vs. Subjective Perspectives		1,187
Story Development		1,045
Characters		1,011
Blog		961
Dramatica Definition: Contagonist		908
Complex Characters in “Rear Window”		877
Dramatica Dictionary		828
The 8 Archetypal Characters		811
Creative Writing		811
Novel Writing		774
Dramatica Pro		704
Character Interests (Likes and Dislikes)		673
Plot		634
12 Essential Questions		567
Narrative Space		566
A Character’s Purpose		558
Stories with Main Characters Who Change		548
Each Archetype is an Equation		498
Character Development and the 28 “Magic” Scenes		488
Genre & Theme		487
Introduction to Plot		478
Dramatica – How We Did It! (Part One)		438
Objective and Subjective Characters		429
Protagonist and Antagonist		429
StoryWeaver vs. Dramatica		420
Screenwriting		408
The Dramatica Structural Model		394
3 Act vs. 4 Act Structure		380
“Sweet Spots” in Time		334
Static & Progressive Plot Points		333
Premise and the Thematic Argument		323
Thematic Premise vs. Thematic Conflict		322
StoryWeaving Seminar		317
Four Dimensional Characters		315
Using Dramatica Example Stories		310
Psychology, Personality, Persona & Perception – The 4 P’s Revisited		265
Dramatica Class		261
Selecting Your Story’s Goal		259
Narrative Dynamics 7 – Dynamics Quads		251
External and Internal Dependencies		245
The Four Story Domains		235
Writing Trilogies		228
The “Influence Character” in a Nut Shell		228
The Contagonist		225
Complex Characters in “Gone with the Wind”		220
Conversational Inertia		218
Your Plot, Step by Step		207
New Interactive Index Card Software – Just $9.95		205
Writing Tips for Multi-Story Ensemble Series and Soap Operas		204
A Novelist’s Bag of Tricks		204
The Four Stages of Communication		202
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 1) – Introducing the Story Mind		202
Beyond Dramatica – a new free eBook by Dramatica co-creator Melanie Anne Phillips		194
8 Character Archetypes Portray the Facets of Our Minds		189
What Is Dramatica?		188
Male vs. Female Problem Solving		186
Action & Decision Elements of Character Archetypes		185
The Four Story Throughlines		176
The Reason and Emotion Archetypes		176
Predicting Human Behavior		175
Four Points of View in Every Story		171
Birth of a Story Mind		170
The Measure of a Hero		169
Dramatica Class 10		168
Characters – Introduction to “Blind Spot”		164
“Hero” is a Stereotype NOT an Archetype!		162
Creating Characters from Scratch		162
Dramatica Definition: Critical Flaw		158
Enough Theory! How Does Dramatica Work on Real Stories?		157
Narrative Science		156
The Narrative Archetype		152
Narrative Dynamics 1 – Introduction		151
Dramatica Dictionary: P		151
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 4		150
Is Story Structure a Myth?		149
How to Structure Your Story’s Theme		149
Novel Writing Tips: Novels Aren’t Stories		148
Random Story Generator		147
Archetypes in the Movie, “Jaws”		146
Main Character’s Resolve		145
Be a StoryWeaver – NOT a Story Mechanic!		143
Dramatica Definition: Dynamic Pair		143
Questions About Dramatica Story Expert		142
Dramatica Structure “Super” Classes		142
Throughlines (and how to use them!)		141
Complex Characters		140
Narrative Dynamics 6 – The Grand Unifying Theory of Everything		140
Narrative Dynamics 3 – The Dramatica Model		137
Do Stories Have 28 or 24 Scenes?		136
The Reason and Emotion Archetypes		135
Character Motivation Elements in Wizard Of Oz		135
Writing Plot for Television Series		133
The Four Stages of Storytelling		133
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 3		129
Finding Inspiration		129
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 7		127
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 5		125
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 9		124
Creating Four Dimensional Characters (video)		124
Genre – Act by Act		123
Act Order – Sign Posts, Journeys & Throughlines		123
Motivations, Methodologies, Evaluations and Purposes		122
Dramatica Theory		120
Driver and Passenger Characters		120
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 2		118
Creating Characters from Scratch		118
Static vs. Progressive Plot Points (video)		118
Dramatica Class 1		117
Defining and Identifying Personality Types		116
How to Create Archetypal Characters		115
Dramatica Theory Book: Prologue		113
How to Use StoryWeaver Story Development Software		112
Download Dramatica Theory Book in PDF		111
Screenwriting Tips: Break Up Monologues		110
Archetypes in Star Wars		109
Dramatica		109
Dramatica: The Lost Theory		107
The Crucial Element		107
Dramatica Dictionary: C		107
Protagonist & Antagonist Archetypes		106
Developing Your Theme		104
Creating Characters from Plot		103
Character Archetypes in Dynamic Pairs		103
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 28		103
Dramatica Definition: Character Dynamics		103
If Dramatica’s Options Aren’t What I Want, What Then?		103
Complex Characters in “Rear Window”		102
Stories with “Be-er” Main Characters		102
Protagonist & Antagonist		102
Definitive Scientific Article on Dramatica Theory		102
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 6		101
About StoryWeaver Software…		101
Dramatica Class 11		101
Write Your Novel Step by Step (Step 1)		101
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 18		100
Character Arc 101		99
Dramatica’s Plot Sequence Report – Deep Theory		98
Main Character Resolve – Change or Steadfast?		98
The Master Storyteller: Create a Story “Focus”		98
Identifying Your Antagonist		98
Overall Story Throughline?		97
Contact		97
Dramatica Dictionary: A		97
Dramatica Class 2		96
Archetypes and the Crucial Element		95
Guardian & Contagonist Archetypes		95
StoryWeaving Seminar: Introduction		94
Dramatica Class 23		94
Narrative Dynamics 5 – The Interface Solution		93
The Villain		93
Character Elements in Wizard Of Oz		93
Dramatica Dictionary: D		93
Problem, Symptom, and Critical Flaw		92
The 28 “Magic” Scenes – Part 2		92
Story Examples in Dramatica Pro 4		92
Fractal Psychology in the Real World		92
Archetypes in Wizard of Oz		91
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 17		91
Writing from the Passionate Self		91
Four Essential Plot Points		91
Dramatica Trivia 3: The Contagonist Archetype		91
The Periodic Table of Story Elements		90
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 2) – A Tale is a Statement		90
The 28 “Magic” Scenes – Part 1		90
Throughline Interactive Index Cards – Tip 1		90
Don’t Forget the Requirements!		89
Designing Your Plot – Multi Appreciation Moments		89
The Hero Breaks Down		89
Dramatica Class: Main Character vs. Protagonist		89
Deciphering Lost Languages with Dramatica		89
The Obstacle Character		89
Do You Write Like An Actor or a Director?		89
Four Archetypes		89
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 8		88
Who Are You Writing For?		88
Overcoming Habits		88
Sidekick & Skeptic Archetypes		87
“Premise” Leads to Lack of Conflict		87
The Dramatica Chart		87
Developing the Subjective Story Plot		87
The Story Mind (Part 9) – The Story Mind Revisited		87
Signposts & Journeys		87
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 1		85
Character Dimensions		85
The 8 Character Archetypes (part 1)		85
Cliches, Dead Words, and Overused Phrases		85
Protagonist Personal		85
Dramatica Dictionary: S		84
Avoiding the Genre Trap		83
Dramatica Class 18		82
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 19		82
Writing Adaptations & Remakes		82
The Coming Global Story Mind		82
Using Forewarnings		80
Narrative Structure, Game Theory and Crowd Control		79
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 3) – A Story is an Argument		79
Creating Extra Tension with Consequences		77
The Dramatica Chart and Short Stories		77
“Hero” is a Four Letter Word (Free eBook)		77
What Happens in Acts One, Two and Three?		76
How Dramatica Works		76
Sequences, Variations, and Acts		76
Dramatica Class 24		76
Creating Characters from Scratch		76
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 10		76
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 25		75
Can Two Characters Share the Same Traits?		75
Introduction to Premise		75
Dramatica Pro 4 – Characters, Part 1		75
Trigonometry and Dramatica		74
Dramatica Definition: Sidekick		74
Main Character Resolve: Change or Steadfast?		74
Dramatica Software Tips		72
Plot Requirements		72
Overall Story Concern?		72
“Throughline” or “Through-Line” ?		71
Choosing Your Story’s Title		71
Examples of Story “Concerns”		71
A Method for Locating Personality Types in the General Population		71
Tricking the Muse: The Creativity “Two-Step”		71
A Bug in Writer’s DreamKit? (Say it ain’t so!)		70
Character Development Tricks!		69
Story Driver – Action or Decision?		69
Narrative Dynamics 4 – The Interface Conundrum		68
Revealing Your Goal		68
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 12		68
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 16		67
Overall Story Problem?		67
Dramatica Dictionary: Synonyms		67
Dramatica Class 19		67
A New Approach to Genre		67
Theme and the Dramatica Chart		67
Be a StoryWeaver – NOT a Story Mechanic! (mp3)		67
Dramatica Class 4		66
Dramatica’s Semantics Explained		66
Does Your Main Character Change or Remain Steadfast?		66
Story Consequences		65
A Screenwriter’s Bag of Tricks		65
Origins of Dramatica		65
Dramatica Class 15		65
Overall Story Issue?		65
The Four Aspects of Story Structure		65
The Dramatica Structure: Elements		65
The Four Stages of Communication		65
Dramatica Dictionary: T		65
Questions about Dramatica Pro		64
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 37		64
Protagonist & Antagonist		64
Writing an Initial Plot Synopsis		64
Dramatica Class 14		64
Character Justifications		63
The Story Engine		63
3 Act vs. 4 Act Structure		63
The Relationship of Author to Audience (Theory)		63
The Big Bang Theory – A “Penny” for Your Thoughts		62
Changing Dramatica’s Suggested Act Order		62
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 11		62
The False Narrative		61
Dramatica Class 12		61
Main Character, Obstacle Character – Problem & Solution		60
Dramatica Class: Mental Sex		60
Relationship of Story Driver to Journeys		60
Story Judgment – Good or Bad?		60
Love Interests and the Dramatic Triangle		60
The Chemistry of Characters		60
John Muir and the Poodle People		60
Both Sides of the Thematic Argument		60
Developing the Objective Story Plot		59
Creating Characters from Plot		59
Main Character Approach – Do-er or Be-er?		59
Main Character Style – Logical or Intuitive?		59
Story Domain Examples		59
Dramatica Class 5		59
Dramatica Class 22		58
Story Structure for Intuitive Writers in Dramatica Pro 4		58
Screenwriting Tips: Use Index Cards		58
Finding Your Creative Time		58
Graphic Novel Themes & Dramatica		58
Dramatica Dictionary: I		57
Main Character Growth – Start or Stop?		57
Dramatica Class 9		57
Screenwriting: The Rule of Threes		57
Introduction to the Story Mind		57
Genre: Revealing Your Story’s Personality		57
Dramatica Class 3		57
Screenwriting Tips: Red Herrings		57
Write Your Novel Step by Step (Step 4)		57
A Story’s Four Essential “Throughlines”		56
Rising Tension in Character Relationships		56
Your Unique Genre		56
Writing an Initial Thematic Synopsis		56
Quick Tip: The Collective Goal		55
Dramatica Pro 4 – Characters, Part 2		55
Characters, Dramatica Style (mp3)		55
Archetypal Character Dimensions		55
Heroes & Villains		55
Dramatica Dictionary: E		55
Character Elements		55
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 15		54
Writing an Initial Character Synopsis		54
Indentifying Your Main Character		54
Adaptation		54
Screenwriting Tips: Use Index Cards		54
Examples of Stories Concerned with “The Future”		53
Write Your Novel Step by Step (Step 3)		53
Coming Apart at the Themes		53
Write Your Novel Step by Step (Part 6)		53
Character Purposes		52
Dramatica Dictionary: R		52
Your Protagonist is not your Main Character		52
Story Limit – Timelock or Optionlock?		52
Contextual Retribution		52
The 12 Questions Every Writer Should Answer		52
Selecting Your Story’s Preconditions		51
Dramatica Software: Character Generator		51
Characters’ Personal Goals		51
Progressive Plot Points & Acts		51
Goals vs. Purposes		51
Hidden Meanings in Citizen Kane		51
Creating Characters: “My Hero!”		51
An Example of Problem Solving		51
The 28 Magic Scenes – Part Four		51
The Thematic Conclusion		51
The Dramatica Theory of Story Structure		51
The Story Engine for Structural Writers		50
Story Limit: Timelock or Optionlock?		50
Dramatica Class 20		50
Encoding Genre		49
Interactions Among Character Dimensions		49
The Purpose of Story Structure		49
Writing from a Character’s Point of View		49
What, Exactly, Is Theme?		49
Story Outcome – Success or Failure?		49
Developing the Main Character’s Plot		49
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 20		49
How the Main Character Changes		49
Characters – The Attributes of Age		48
Quick Tip: Characters’ Personal Goals		48
Write Your Novel Step by Step (Step 2)		48
Introduction to Theme		48
Introduction to Plot		48
Love Interests and the Dramatic Triangle		48
Change & Steadfast Characters in the Real World		48
Blowing the Story Bubble		48
Dramatica Definition: Main Character Problem		48
Screenwriting 101		48
Selecting Your Story’s Forewarnings		48
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 21		48
Mentors, Guardians, Obstacles & Star Wars		48
Character Dimensions		47
Write a Novel or Screenplay Step by Step		47
The Four Story Issues		47
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 6) – Audience Reach		47
Characters in the Middle of Act Three		47
Plot Progression for Structural Writers		47
Choosing Your Protagonist & Antagonist		47
Dramatic Quads & Dramatic Pairs		47
Character Elements in the Movie, “Jaws”		46
Subjective Characters and the Objective Story		46
Dramatica Definition: Non-accurate		46
Your Thematic Message		46
Dramatica Dictionary: M		46
A Word of Warning About Propaganda		46
Introducing the Story Mind (video) – Part 1 of 113		46
Novel Writing Tips: Get Into Your Characters’ Heads		46
Dramatica Dictionary: K		46
Archetypal Methodologies		46
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 13		45
Success or Failure?		45
Developing the Obstacle Character’s Plot		45
Using Character Names from Someone Else’s Story		45
Characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird”		45
“Hero” is a Four-Letter Word (Part 2)		45
Narrative Dynamics (Part 4)		45
Writing Theme & Genre in Television Series		44
Plot Points in Example Stories		44
Story Perspectives		44
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 4) – The Dramatica Chart		44
Dramatica Unplugged (Part 7) – Story Structure vs. Storytelling		44
Unfolding Your Thematic Topic		44
Be a Story Weaver (Part 3)		43
Dramaticapedia – “Ability”		43
Dramatica Dictionary: F		43
“Illegal” Plot Progressions		43
Dramatica Definition: Main Character Focus		43
Storytelling Technique: Meaning Reversals		43
The 28 Magic Scenes – Part Three		43
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 24		42
al Awlaki, the “Uncanny Valley” and Writing Empathetic Characters		42
Relationship Between Main & Obstacle Characters		42
Storytelling Technique: Red Herrings		41
Main Character Throughline		41
New Book on Archetypes and the Mind		41
Brainstorming for Structural Writers		41
The Villain		41
Conflict Can Limit Your Characters		41
Scene Creation for Structural Writers		41
The Objective Story Issue		41
Blowing the Story Bubble		41
Plot vs. Exposition		40
A Story is a Argument		40
Examples of Main Characters who Change		40
Levels of the Story Mind		40
Narrative Dynamics (Part 1)		40
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 29		40
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 35		40
Four Levels of Propaganda		40
A Story’s Limit: Timelock or Option Lock?		40
Subplots		40
A Few Words About Theme		39
The New Dramatica for Macintosh is Finally Here!		39
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 26		39
#6539 (loading title)		39
Direction of Main Character Growth		39
Start and Stop Characters in the Real World		38
Dramatica Pro 4 – Brainstorming, Part 1		38
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 33		38
Storytelling Trick 2 – Red Herrings (Changing Importance)		38
How Dramatica is Different from Six Other Story Paradigms		38
Dramatica & Non-linear Game Theory		38
Examples of Stories Concerned with Understanding		38
Psychology, Personality, Persona and Perception		38
Dramatica vs. McKee		37
Dramatica Class 17		37
Dramatica Class 7		37
How to Beat Writer’s Block		37
Dramatica Class: Main Character vs. Protagonist		37
More Notes on the Dynamic Model of Narrative Psychology		37
Character Relationships Baselines		37
Dramatica Class 21		37
God and Dramatica		36
The Story Mind (Part 8) – Writing Remakes		36
New Category – Narrative Science!		36
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 34		36
StoryWeaving, Space & Time		36
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 27		36
Famous Novels’ first sentences mapped!		36
Character Motivation Elements in Star Wars		36
Introducing Characters: First Impressions		35
Dramatica Class 6		35
Be a Story Weaver (Part 1)		35
50 Sure-Fire Storytelling Tricks!		35
Why Dramatica Works – Part 1		35
Main Character Mental Sex		35
Dramatica: Out of Balance		35
Origins of Story Structure		35
Character Justifications		35
The Four Throughlines		35
The Cardinal Rule of Storytelling		34
How to Use Dramatica & StoryWeaver Together		34
A Tale is a Statement		34
Storytelling Technique: Out of Sequence Experiences		34
Co-Creator of Dramatica’s Birthday Today!		34
Writing Non-stories		34
Creating Characters: “My Hero!”		34
The Authorless Narrative		34
Character Element Pairs		34
Dramatica Definition: Author’s Proof		34
Matching Character Personalities to Archetypes		34
Screenwriting Tips: Exposition		34
Characters’ Changing Emotional Relationships		34
The Love Interest		34
How to Come Up with Story Ideas		34
Narrative Dynamics 2 – Transmutation of Particles and Waves		34
Revealing Your Goal		33
Writing Stories about Hopes and Dreams		33
Throughline 3 is Here!!!		33
Quick Tip: Flashbacks and Flash Forwards		33
How Characters Solve Problems		33
StoryWeaver Story Development Software Walk Through		33
Introducing the Story Mind (video)		33
Dramatica Pro 4 – Characters, Part 3		33
StoryWeaver Tip 1		33
Your Thematic Topic		33
Breaking Screenplay Format		33
Different Themes in Different Throughlines		33
Dramatica Theory Book: Chapter 23		33
Character Development Tricks!		32
Write Your Screenplay Step By Step – Now for Kindle		32
Writing from a Character’s Point of View		32
Questions About Act Order in Different Cultures		32
StoryWeaver Fix – Why Files Don’t Seem to Save		32
Elements of Structure – Art of Storytelling		32
Character Assumptions		32
Applying Dramatica to the Real World		32
Dramatica Software: Developing Plot		32
Screenwriting Tips: Don’t Say It!		32
Dramatica Dictionary: H		31
Deus ex Machiavelli		31
Theme: An Emotional Argument		31
The Four Story Problems		31