A Writer Asks

What can you tell me about different screenwriting programs?

Melanie Replies

There are a number of software programs out there including, of course, Dramatica, in which I had a hand. The various programs fall roughly into two categories: script writing/formatting programs and story creation programs. As far as I know, there are no programs currently on the market that do both functions.

Of the script writing/formatting programs, Script Thing, Final Draft, and Scriptware are perhaps the best known. The company that distributes Dramatica also has a formatter called Scriptor, but although it recently won an Academy Award as a pioneer software for the industry, it is dated and therefore is not compatible with many new word processors. That's why they have recently come out with Movie Magic Screenwriter, which has all the most up to date technology and tools and is soon to import Dramatica files directly into the formatter/word processor and included 3x5 card system..

As for story creation software, the best known are Truby's Storyline, Collaborator, and Dramatica. Each approaches story in a different manner, so different writers will have different preferences.

Truby's Storyline is a version of the "hero's journey" approach to story creation. It provides shorelines, step by step templates, and several examples, and incorporates many of the cogent points from Truby's classes.

Collaborator is based on Aristotle's "Poetics", and provides a question and answer approach to filling in all the information called for by Aristotle in his description of what makes a good story.

Dramatica is based on a whole new theory of story, which can be daunting, but also has many new perspectives never before available to writers. The heart of the software is a "story engine" based on the theory, which keeps track of the relationships among dramatic elements in your story to ensure consistency.

My suggestion would be to try them all and see which one fits best with your creative approach. Most, if not all, have a 30 day money back guarantee, so you can test drive the software and send it back if it is not what you want. Some writers find that using two or more of these programs at different stages of the creative process is useful.

Naturally, I have a preference for Dramatica, having worked hard to make it something truly special for the creative writer. Still, I have tried all the others and found each of them to have its own personality, which makes the choice of tool as much an emotional one as a practical one.

The best deals are usually found through the mail order catalogs such as Mac or PC Warehouse, etc. You might also want to stop by a store such as The Writer's Computer Store, where you can try out all of these programs right there, saving you the trouble of buying and then potentially returning them.

If you are interested in learning more about Dramatica, the software, you might also want to browse Screenplay Systems' Dramatica Home Page on the web at http://www.dramatica.com/ . If you are interested in learning more about the theory, just visit Melanie's Dramatica Pages at http://storymind.com/dramatica/ where you will find a special "on-line edition" of the entire 450 page book, "Dramatica: A New Theory of Story" and lots of other support materials as well.

We put the book up because we feel the information contained is so valuable and essential that as writers ourselves, we want to share it for free, even if it doesn't result in any sales at all.

In addition, I teach a nine week course in Dramatica theory through U.C.L.A. twice a year. The course covers The Elements of Structure and The Art of Storytelling. Currently, free software is included with the course. Contact U.C.L.A. Extention for further information.

Thanks for your interest, and best of luck in finding the software tool that will work best for you and also enhance the creative process.

Melanie

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*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.

 

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