Story Justifications
by Melanie Anne Phillips & Chris Huntley
Co-creators of the Dramatica Theory
An author builds an argument that the Main Character was either justified or
not in his actions, then “proves” the point by concluding the story with an
outcome of success or failure and a judgment of good or bad. In this way, the
author hopes to convince an audience that actions taken in a particular context
are appropriate or inappropriate. The audience members hope to become convinced
that when the proper course of action is unclear, they can rely on a more
“objective” truth to guide them.
In real life, only time will tell if our actions will ultimately achieve what
we want and if that will bring us more happiness than hurt. In stories, it is
the author who determines what is justified and what is not. Within the confines
of the story, the author’s view IS objective truth.
The author’s ability to decide the validity of actions “objectively”
changes the meaning of justification from how we have been using it. In life,
when actions are seen as justified, it means that everyone agrees with the
reasons behind the actions. In stories, reasons don’t count. Even if all the
characters agree with the reasons, the author might show that all the characters
were wrong. Reasons just explain why characters act as they do.
Consensus regarding the reasons does not determine correctness.
From the Dramatica
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About Dramatica and
StoryWeaver
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 Alone
By itself Dramatica 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.
How They Work
Together
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 Either Program
Risk Free!
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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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