What is Dramatica?

Dramatica is an entirely new way of looking at story. Beyond simply a paradigm or sequence of cultural beats, Dramatica theorizes why stories exist and attempts to outline the processes and dramatic touchpoints needed to tell a successful and meaningful story.

Pretty heady stuff, right?

Really, Dramatica is not all that complicated. It sees the central character of a story--the Main Character--entering with a predetermined way of doing things. Along the way they develop a relationship with their polar opposite, someone who challenges their way of thinking. Ultimately, this relationship leads the Main Character towards adopting or rejecting this new way of seeing things. The result of their decision determines whether they were on the right path or the wrong path.

That's really it. Of course then you can get into Overall Story Prerequisites, Relationship Story Catalysts, and Problem-Solving Styles...but only if you really want to!

When it all comes down to it, Dramatica sees story as an argument. To provide the very best argument, you have to make sure you cover all your bases and address all the different perspectives. Dramatica can help with that.