Issues with Dramatica's Issues

questions
#1

I’m stuck! Thematic ideas for my ‘novel’ concern belonging, appearance v reality, deception, manipulation v confrontation. Following the process, i’ve arrived at thematic encoding and been assigned the following as issues/counterpoints and i’m finding them very difficult to complete or match with my ideas. Does this matter at this stage? Are they in any way compatible or should i start again (please say no!)? Any suggestions, ideas, gratefully received.

OS Approach - attitude
MC Choice - delay
OC Dream- hope
SS Rationalization - obligation

#2

In regards to your different thematic ideas – belonging, appearance vs. reality, etc. – are you exploring those in every Throughline or do you want every throughline to look at each of those thematic concerns individually?

#3

good question…i think the answer is that these are concerns of the MC with the OC, but could be explored in the OS(?). It is probably obvious i’m new to Dramatica, but it’s doing me good! Thankyou for responding!

#4

Without knowing your story and how closely these match to what your story is actually about, I will just say two things: really try to separate how much of your original themes occur in your overall throughline and how much occur in the other throughlines. Is everyone in your story deceiving and manipulating, does everyone have problems with belonging? If so then no it doesn’t look like Approach and Attitude will fit, i think it will be something more along the lines of Rationalization vs Obligation. But then when it comes to the other throughlines don’t think of those terms anymore. Find something else completely different that is driving those throughlines based on choice and delay or dream and hope. Keep them separate is the key so long as they are rooted in the issue/counterpoint in their very nature.

Secondly i read a great article on Jim’s website just yesterday here’s that link:

The jist of it is, is that you will most likely change your storyform a few times before hitting the right one. Writing some of your story then pulling back and checking it against what storyform you have then making changes as needed.

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#5

I’m going to mull over what you say Dan310, about separating the throughline themes - though i’m not sure HOW to separate them yet…
If for example your Rationalization v Obligation were more suitable, is there a way of working backwards in Dramatica - setting the issues, then accepting the higher order obligations ‘suggested’ by Dramatica? I’ve reached the issues you see and been fairly happy with the previous allocations but i have walked into a quagmire and can’t get on! Partly, the problem is i’m not sure of the overall important of the issues as compared to other aspects of the domains. Much appreciate previous feedback, thankyou.

#6

The Overall/Objective Story Throughline affects everyone in the story. That one’s usually easiest to work out.

The best, most useful statement I’ve read about the Main Character Throughline is that it exists regardless of the story. That is to say, this is a problem your main character would have even if the story hadn’t happened.

If you get these two nailed down, you will narrow down the remaining two greatly. These last two I always find are the hardest to suss out.

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#7

yes, that helps a lot too. It’s clear i don’t really understand the Dramatica theory yet, but i’ll sleep on it! Marvellous feedback though, it’ll get me out of the rut. Thanks. When i’m similarly knowledgeable i’ll try and reciprocate!