Dramatica Basics

This page provides a brief overview
of Dramatica Theory and Software

Structure vs. Passion

What IS Dramatica?

What is the Dramatica Theory?

What is the Dramatica Software?

Dramatica's 12 Essential Questions

Take a Free Class in Dramatica Basics in Real Audio

What IS Dramatica?

Dramatica is two things: a new theory of story and a line of software products which implement the theory as story creation and development tools for writers.

What is the Dramatica Theory?

The Dramatica theory is based on a concept called "The Story Mind."  Dramatica contends that a story is really a model or map of a single human mind.  Characters, Plot, Theme, and Genre are different categories of thought which go on in the Story Mind as it tries to come to terms with a problem.

Characters are the drives of the Story Mind (which often conflict), Plot represents the methods the Story Mind uses to try and resolve its issues, Theme illustrates the conflicting value standards considered by the Story Mind, and Genre describes the Story Mind's overall personality.

Dramatica sees stories as a means of looking at the internal processes of our own minds made tangible, so we can see them from the outside looking in and thereby gain a more objective insight into ourselves.

What is the Dramatica Software?

The Dramatica software is a line of story creation and development tools for writers.  The Dramatica software takes a project from concept to completed sequential treatment.

Each version of the software is built around an interactive Story Engine.   The Story Engine was created by programming all the dramatic relationships among characters, plot, theme, and genre described by the Dramatica Theory.

A writer answers questions and/or makes multiple choice decisions about the kinds of dramatics he or she wants in the story.  The Story Engine cross-references the dramatic impact of these choices and can then actually predict the other dramatics necessary to make the story well-rounded and complete.

The Story Engine is so revolutionary it has received a patent from the U.S. government.  To learn more about the Dramatica software or to download a demo, visit The Dramatica Store on the web.

Dramatica's 12 Essential Questions

There are 12 Essential Questions every writer should be able to answer about his or her story.  Four deal with Character, four with Plot and the final four with Theme.  These 12 questions form the cornerstones of a story, and ensure that the rest of the structure works as a whole.

Answer the 12 Essential Questions for YOUR story

Try Dramatica & StoryWeaver Risk Free*

$179.95                       $29.95          

*Try either or both for 90 days.  Not working for you?  Return for a full refund of your purchase price!

About Dramatica and StoryWeaver

Hi, I'm Melanie Anne Phillips, creator of StoryWeaver, co-creator of Dramatica and owner of Storymind.com.  If you have a moment, I'd like to tell you about  these two story development tools - what each is designed to do, how each works alone on a different part of story development and how they can be used together to cover the entire process from concept to completion of your novel or screenplay.

What They Do

Dramatica is a tool to help you build a perfect story structure.  StoryWeaver is a tool to help you build your story's world.  Dramatica focuses on the underlying logic of your story, making sure there are no holes or inconsistencies.  StoryWeaver focuses on the creative process, boosting your inspiration and guiding it to add depth, detail and passion  to your story.

How They Do It

Dramatica has the world's only patented interactive Story Engine™ which cross-references your answers to questions about your dramatic intent, then finds any weaknesses in your structure and even suggests the best ways to strengthen them.

StoryWeaver uses a revolutionary new creative format as you follow more than 200 Story Cards™ step by step through the story development process.  You'll design the people who'll inhabit your story's world, what happens to them, and what it all means.

How They Work Together

By itself Dramatic appeals to structural writers who like to work out all the details of their stories logically before they write a word.  By itself, StoryWeaver appeals to intuitive writers who like to follow their Muse and develop their stories as they go.

But, the finished work of a structural writer can often lack passion, which is where StoryWeaver can help.  And the finished work of an intuitive writer can often lack direction, which is where Dramatica can help.

So, while each kind of writer will find one program or the other the most initially appealing, both kinds of writers can benefit from both programs.

Try Both Programs Risk Free!

We have a 90 Day Return Policy here at Storymind.  Try either or both of these products and if you aren't completely satisfied we'll cheerfully refund your purchase price.

 

StoryWeaver Demo	Dramatica Demo
$29.95Format: Windows / Mac CD-ROM     $29.95Format: Windows Download   $29.95Format: Mac OSX Download	Download ~ $179.95  Boxed version ~ $199.95   Student or Teacher? Get Dramatica Pro for just $99.95!

Our Complete Catalog of Products

Get the Writer's Survival Kit Bonus Package FREE with ANY purchase! A $300 Value!
	StoryWeaver - $29.95 Our Bestseller!  A step by step approach to story development, from concept to completed story for your novel or screenplay.  More than 200 interactive Story Cards guide you through the entire process.
	Dramatica Pro - $179.95 Includes 2 Exclusive Bonuses! The most powerful story structuring software available, Dramatica is driven by a patented "Story Engine" that cross-references your dramatic choices to ensure a perfect structure.
	Dramatica Writer's DreamKit - $49.95 Little brother to Dramatica Pro, Writer's DreamKit is built around the same patented Story Engine - it just tracks fewer story points.  So, you develop the same solid story structure, just with fewer details.  Perfect for beginning writers or those new to Dramatica.
	Power Structure - $149.95 An all-in-one writing environment with built-in word processor that helps you organize and cross-reference your story development materials.  INCLUDES DVD SET BONUS!
	Power Writer - $99.95 The little brother of Power Structure includes the essential organization and word processing tools writers need the most.
	Throughline - Index Cards (Mac) - $19.95 Interactive index cards - add notes, titles, colors, click and drag to re-arrange.  An essential tool for every writer.
	Movie Magic Screenwriter - $149.95 The most advanced screenwriting software available, Movie Magic is deemed a "preferred file format" by the Writer's Guild.  An industry standard, MMS is used by professionals and studios around the world.
	Final Draft - $199.95 Like Movie Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft is an industry standard, used by many professional screenwriters and studios around the world.
	Between The Lines (Macintosh) - $29.95 The lowest cost automatic screenplay formatter for Macintosh includes high-end features such as interactive index cards linked to your script.
	12 Hour Writing Course - $19.95 Everything you need to know about story structure - twelve hours of video on a single DVD - presented by Dramatica Theory co-creator, Melanie Anne Phillips.
	Dramatica Software Companion - $19.95 More than four hours of video demonstrations of every key feature in Dramatica, narrated by the co-creator of Dramatica.
	StoryWeaving Tips Book - $19.95 170 pages of eye-opening essays on story structure, storytelling, finding inspiration and a wide variety of writing techniques.
	StoryWeaving Seminar 8 DVD Set - $99.95 14 hours of video from a live two day course taught by theory co-creator Melanie Anne Phillips covering Dramatica story structure and StoryWeaver storytelling.
	StoryWeaving Seminar Online - $49.95 The same 14 hour program presented in streaming video that you can view online or download for a permanent copy.
	Dramatica Theory 2 Hour Audio Program - $19.95 Every key concept in the Dramatica Theory of Story is fully explained in this double-CD set.
	Writing Characters of the Opposite Sex - $29.95 A three-hour audio CD set that explains everything you need to know to create characters of both sexes that ring absolutely true (and maybe even gain insight into the communication problems in the real world!)
	Master Storyteller Improves Your Writing - $29.95 Become a better writing with this series of interactive exercises.
	How to Create Great Characters DVD - $19.95 A 90 minute video program recorded during Dramatica co-creator Melanie Anne Phillips' live in-person seminar on story structure and storytelling.
	Structure vs. Passion - Audio CD $19.95 The Story Mind approach to writing uses your own passions to create your story's structure.  It focuses your efforts, clarifies the direction of your story, and triggers your imagination.
	Writing with the Story Mind - Audio CD - $19.95 Learn how to psychoanalyze your story's "mind" to uncover and treat problems with characters, plot, theme, and genre.
	Academic Prices - Discounts on Select Products Are you a student, teacher, or academic staffer?  Get the very best price on select products with these manufacturer sponsored academic discounts!
	Package Deals - Starting at $49.95 Get deep discounts with these bundles of our most popular writing products.
	Writer's Survival Kit Bonus Package - FREE! Free with ANY purchase - Writing software, online writing workshops, writing seminars on video, story theory book, and much, MUCH more!

Contact Us - About Us - Lowest Price Guarantee - Shipping - Return Policy

Copyright Melanie Anne Phillips - Owner, Storymind.com, Creator Storyweaver, Co-creator Dramatica