(Details)  (Details) Prefer to order by mail or fax? Click here for information.	Written by Melanie Anne Phillips Based on the Dramatica theory of story originally developed by  Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley   Problems & Dilemmas   Prologue Before the final version of "Dramatica - a New Theory of Story" there was an earlier draft which contained unfininished concepts and additional theory that was ultimately deemed "too complex".  As a result, this material was never fully developed, was cut from the final version of the book, and has never seen the light of day -- until now!   Recently, a copy of this early draft surfaced in the theory archives.  The following are excerpts from this "lost" text. CAVEAT: Because the text that follows was not fully developed, portions may be incomplete, inaccurate, or actually quite wrong. It is presented as a look into the history of the development of Dramatica and also as a source of additional theory concepts that (with further development) may prove useful. NOTE: This excerpt errs in describing Mind and Universe almost as if they were points of view, rather than the areas which are observed.  In actuality, it is the combination of a point of view with an area under observation which creates perspective - the foundation of dramatic meaning.   Problems Without a problem, the Dramatica Model, like the mind it represents, is at rest or Neutral. All of the pieces within the model are balanced and no dramatic potential exists. But when a problem is introduced, that equilibrium becomes unbalanced. We call that imbalance an Inequity. An inequity provides the impetus to drive the story forward and causes the Story Mind to start the problem solving process.   Work Stories and Dilemma Stories In Dramatica, we differentiate between solvable and unsolvable problems. The solvable problem is, simply, a problem, whereas an unsolvable problem is called a Dilemma. In stories, as in life, we cannot tell at the beginning whether a problem is solvable or not because we cannot know the future. Only by going through the process of problem solving can we discover if the problem can be solved at all. If the Problem CAN be solved, though the effort may be difficult or dangerous, and in the end we DO succeed by working at it, we have a Work Story. But if the Problem CAN’T be solved, in the case of a Dilemma, once everything possible has been tried and the Problem still remains, we have a Dilemma Story.   Mind and Universe At the most basic level, all problems are the result of inequities between Mind (ourselves) and Universe (the environment). When Mind and Universe are in balance, they are in Equity and there is neither a problem nor a story. When the Mind and Universe are out of balance, and Inequity exists between them, there is a problem and a story to be told about solving that problem. Example: Jane wants a new leather jacket that costs $300.00. She does not have $300.00 to buy the jacket. We can see the Inequity by comparing the state of Jane's Mind (her desire for the new jacket) to the state of the Universe (not having the jacket).   Note that the problem is not caused solely by Jane's desire for a jacket, nor by the physical situation of not having one, but only because Mind and Universe are unbalanced. In truth, the problem is not with one or the other, but between the two. There are two ways to remove the Inequity and resolve the problem. If we change Jane's Mind and remove her desire for the new jacket -- no more problem. If we change the Universe and supply Jane with the new jacket by either giving her the jacket or the money to buy it -- no more problem. Both solutions balance the Inequity.   Subjective and Objective Views From an outside or objective point of view, one solution is as good as another. Objectively, it doesn't matter if Jane changes her Mind or the Universe changes its configuration so long as the inequity is removed. However, from an inside or subjective point of view, it may matter a great deal to Jane if she has to change her Mind or the Universe around her to remove the Inequity. Therefore, the subjective point of view differs from the objective point of view in that personal biases affect the evaluation of the problem and the solution. Though objectively the solutions have equal weight, subjectively one solution may appear to be better than another. Stories are useful to us as an audience because they provide both the Subjective view of the problem and the Objective view of the solution that we cannot see in real life. It is this Objective view that shows us important information outside our own limited perspective, providing a sense of the big picture and thereby helping us to learn how to handle similar problems in our own lives. If the Subjective view is seen as the perspective of the soldier in the trenches, the Objective view would be the perspective of the General watching the engagement from a hill above the field of battle. When we see things Objectively, we are looking at the Characters as various people doing various things. When we are watching the story Subjectively, we actually stand in the shoes of a Character as if the story were happening to us. A story provides both of these views interwoven throughout its unfolding. This is accomplished by having a cast of Objective Characters, and also special Subjective Characters. The Objective Characters serve as metaphors for specific methods of dealing with problems. The Subjective Characters serve as metaphors for THE specific method of dealing with problems that is crucial to the particular problem of that story. [Lost Theory Book Contents]	FREE with ANY PURCHASE... The Writer's Survival Kit Bonus Package A $300 Value Includes all this... 450 Page eBook on Story Structure Muse Gooser Inspiration Tool Character Name Generator Software for PC One hour video Designing Plot Online Workshop: Creating Characters Jive Generator Software for PC One hour video Developing Theme Word Morph Software for PC One hour video on Developing Characters Online Workshop: Mastering Dramatica Streaming Video of our Complete 2 Day Writing Seminar Sticky Note Software for PC Discount Coupon for Future Orders Live Seminar Discount Coupon Details

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) 20 Hour Writing Course on CD ROM This intense program features 20 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