# Dramatica Theory **URL:** https://discuss.dramatica.com/c/theory/8.md [Latest](https://discuss.dramatica.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://discuss.dramatica.com/categories.md) --- ## [Introduction to Dramatica: The Complete Starter Series](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/introduction-to-dramatica-the-complete-starter-series/4314)
**Author:** [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/introduction-to-dramatica-the-complete-starter-series/4314 "2026-08-19T21:08:15Z")
The Introduction to Dramatica series now walks through the foundation of Dramatica Theory, from the basic idea of a complete Storyform through the Four Domains. If you are new to Dramatica, start here and move through t… --- ## [About the Dramatica Theory category](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/about-the-dramatica-theory-category/57)
**Author:** [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2014, 4:32pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/about-the-dramatica-theory-category/57 "2014-08-13T16:32:31Z")
Dive deeper into Dramatica theory and narrative principles. Clarify concepts, explore ideas, and discuss theoretical questions about story structure and dynamics. --- ## [Mental Relativity and Dramatica outside of writing](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/mental-relativity-and-dramatica-outside-of-writing/2220)
**Author:** [@Greg](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Greg)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/mental-relativity-and-dramatica-outside-of-writing/2220 "2026-09-23T16:00:29Z")
Has anyone explored either Mental Relativity or Dramatica outside of telling stories? If you haven’t, do you have any interest in doing so? For instance, one thing I am almost constantly doing these days is determining… --- ## [Dramatica theory primer visualized](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/dramatica-theory-primer-visualized/4343)
**Author:** [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2026, 2:33am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/dramatica-theory-primer-visualized/4343 "2026-09-05T02:33:16Z")
For those new to Dramatica theory (or those familiar who want to see something super cool) - check out the new 3d visual introduction crafted by GPT-6 Astra this afternoon :slight\_smile: You’ll find it here: https://… --- ## [What was old is new again 📓](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/what-was-old-is-new-again/4327)
**Author:** [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 9:10pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/what-was-old-is-new-again/4327 "2026-08-19T21:10:32Z")
The original Dramatica Theory book is back online here: You can find it here: Dramatica: A New Theory of Story Includes links to the free downloadable PDF as well as to the print edition available on Amazon. --- ## [Players & Perspectives](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/players-perspectives/4306)
**Author:** [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/players-perspectives/4306 "2026-05-29T18:44:36Z")
We just posted a new video on Players & Perspectives, looking at the difference between the Players moving through a story and the Perspectives those Players carry within the structure. This distinction can clear up a l… --- ## [A "thank you" to the board for RS help](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/a-thank-you-to-the-board-for-rs-help/4269)
**Author:** [@LunarDynasty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/LunarDynasty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/a-thank-you-to-the-board-for-rs-help/4269 "2026-03-17T19:34:31Z")
I wanted to thank many of you for the several discussions over the past decade about the Relationship Story. It has been a difficult thing to wrap my head around, being very Male / Linear. A definite, obvious thanks to @… --- ## [Dramatica Theory in Use](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/dramatica-theory-in-use/4256)
**Author:** [@dukeofubuntu](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/dukeofubuntu)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/dramatica-theory-in-use/4256 "2026-02-10T19:26:33Z")
So I love the idea of Dramatica theory as an anchor to the story, but what produces a lot of pain is essentially the process of adhering to its tenets and enumerations from an initial thought. Not every writer is essenti… --- ## [Order of Issues for Male/Female Mental Sex](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/order-of-issues-for-male-female-mental-sex/4210)
**Author:** [@Wrightmoore](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Wrightmoore)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/order-of-issues-for-male-female-mental-sex/4210 "2025-11-25T19:48:49Z")
As a predominantly linear thinker, i’ve always thought of everything in the storyform as being explored in order. First this, then that, then that, finally this type of thinking. And I remember some old articles descri… --- ## [Inequity in Primates](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/inequity-in-primates/4182)
**Author:** [@GetSchwifty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/GetSchwifty)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/inequity-in-primates/4182 "2025-10-29T20:44:43Z")
Thought y’all would find this interesting. The topic “inequity in primates” is worth googling or whatever you do, as well. --- ## [Subject matter explained](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/subject-matter-explained/4123)
**Author:** [@GetSchwifty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/GetSchwifty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2025, 9:41am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/subject-matter-explained/4123 "2025-09-03T09:41:35Z")
I asked Narravo to explain the idea of ‘subject matter’ in detail and I thought it did a good job. Checklist for this step Define what “subject matter” means in Dramatica (and where it sits in the process) Distinguish … --- ## [In novel 5 POV = 5 storyforms?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/in-novel-5-pov-5-storyforms/4089)
**Author:** [@GetSchwifty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/GetSchwifty)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2025, 4:06am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/in-novel-5-pov-5-storyforms/4089 "2025-08-23T04:06:34Z")
My prompt was : “WIP Let’s talk about a novel with multiple “I” stories. Let’s say there are parts of the novel that are told first person singular from Friar, Amelia, Beamer and Joshua and Senator Bob. Would that requir… --- ## [Creating resonance between two storyforms in one story](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/creating-resonance-between-two-storyforms-in-one-story/4090)
**Author:** [@GetSchwifty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/GetSchwifty)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/creating-resonance-between-two-storyforms-in-one-story/4090 "2025-08-22T19:50:32Z")
define the kind of resonance that occurs when you use two storyforms in a story. Do it both in the abstract, and also in detail and great specificity regarding the story about Friar and the others I am creating here. Def… --- ## [The Good, the Bad and the Handoff](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/the-good-the-bad-and-the-handoff/4066)
**Author:** [@GetSchwifty](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/GetSchwifty)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/the-good-the-bad-and-the-handoff/4066 "2025-08-16T17:35:21Z")
I’m reading your book NEVER TRUST A HERO this morning for the first time in awhile. This section stopped me: In Amadeus, did Salieri teach those around him? No. He set out to destroy Mozart and those efforts to that end… --- ## [Shouldn't most stories have a decision driver?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/shouldnt-most-stories-have-a-decision-driver/747)
**Author:** [@TerryVog](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/TerryVog)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2025, 1:05am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/shouldnt-most-stories-have-a-decision-driver/747 "2025-05-16T01:05:08Z")
I’m having trouble understanding how the story driver is determined. What I understand of it so far, is that the distinction is made to determine whether a story begins with something that happens to them, or with a deci… --- ## [Detective, Adventurer, Pilgrim throughlines](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/detective-adventurer-pilgrim-throughlines/3930)
**Author:** [@didomachiatto](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/didomachiatto)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2024, 7:45am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/detective-adventurer-pilgrim-throughlines/3930 "2024-08-31T07:45:46Z")
I have this idea and I am wondering how Subtxt/Dramatica peeps think it would work. I have a third-person HOLISTIC (fms) story (novel) that is going to be presented as a collection of first-person journals from two diffe… --- ## [Theme classes, types, variations, elements](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/theme-classes-types-variations-elements/1009)
**Author:** [@prenez](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/prenez)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 9:45pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/theme-classes-types-variations-elements/1009 "2024-08-15T21:45:31Z")
This post is deleted. --- ## [Contextual Subgenres](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/contextual-subgenres/1893)
**Author:** [@jhay](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhay)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2024, 4:15am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/contextual-subgenres/1893 "2024-08-13T04:15:07Z")
As mentioned in the ‘Consequences that are Playing a Role’ post, my trek through the Dramatica and Narrative First analyses has been a rewarding and enlightening process. Having watched 64 out of the 400+ analyses thus f… --- ## [How does Dramatica determine Signpost order?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-does-dramatica-determine-signpost-order/672)
**Author:** [@Rod](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Rod)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-does-dramatica-determine-signpost-order/672 "2024-06-29T06:31:35Z")
I’ve always been curious about how this works. Which of my choices is Dramatica looking at when deciding the order of the Signposts in each throughline? Also, it seems to do the same thing at the Variation level, accor… --- ## [Where are all 'justification' articles](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/where-are-all-justification-articles/3814)
**Author:** [@Seener](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Seener)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2023, 8:29am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/where-are-all-justification-articles/3814 "2023-12-15T08:29:33Z")
Hello, I did try to refresh ‘justification’ concept and it seems like all ‘justification’ articles disappeared from the narrativefirst.com. Is there a chance to find it anywhere? Thank you for help. --- ## [Requirements, pre requisites](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/requirements-pre-requisites/3778)
**Author:** [@hnif](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/hnif)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2023, 8:54am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/requirements-pre-requisites/3778 "2023-04-17T08:54:03Z")
I understand that the specific story goal is shared by all the characters (e.g. to find the diamond), but is the requirement the same also, or are there variations on the requirement? similarly, the pre requisite as stat… --- ## [HELP - article(s) about conflict](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/help-article-s-about-conflict/3744)
**Author:** [@Seener](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Seener)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2022, 11:42am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/help-article-s-about-conflict/3744 "2022-10-10T11:42:52Z")
I need your help. Last time I lost my links library - including those related to Dramatica. I’m trying to recreate it but can’t find article(s) on how to build a conflict in particular acts. There was a relation betwe… --- ## [Coming Up With a More intuitive "Translation" of Dramatica's Core Elements](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/coming-up-with-a-more-intuitive-translation-of-dramaticas-core-elements/3692)
**Author:** [@Audz](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Audz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/coming-up-with-a-more-intuitive-translation-of-dramaticas-core-elements/3692 "2022-05-19T19:31:43Z")
Hey everyone. I think most of us have struggled with wrapping our minds around Dramatica’s dictionary at one point or another. A lot of the terms are counterintuitive, which is a big part of the reason for Dramatica’s i… --- ## [Is it allowed to cheat?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/is-it-allowed-to-cheat/3688)
**Author:** [@Seener](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Seener)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2022, 6:24pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/is-it-allowed-to-cheat/3688 "2022-04-22T18:24:05Z")
Before I run into specifics, the answer is: no. Of course it is not allowed. Unfortunately the same applies to exceeding speed limits. And (again unfortunately) it happens from time to time. Last week I was developing … --- ## [Word Count requirements in Dramatica?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/word-count-requirements-in-dramatica/3649)
**Author:** [@didomachiatto](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/didomachiatto)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/word-count-requirements-in-dramatica/3649 "2022-01-12T14:20:28Z")
Is there anything within Dramatica that requires an equal treatment of each signpost/act? My act 2 is significantly shorter than my act 1, almost half the length. Does this create an odd rhythm in the story or should we … --- ## [Structural Fit For a Ghost Character](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/structural-fit-for-a-ghost-character/3641)
**Author:** [@geoff](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/geoff)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/structural-fit-for-a-ghost-character/3641 "2022-01-08T17:24:56Z")
I’m watching “What’s Love Got to Do With It” about Tina Turner. There’s an obvious ghost character in the first or second act. Can’t remember her name. She’s Ike’s former girlfriend before he switches to Tina. She’s been… --- ## [Aristotle, anyone?](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/aristotle-anyone/3635)
**Author:** [@hnif](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/hnif)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/aristotle-anyone/3635 "2021-12-27T19:06:17Z")
Has anyone heard of MAP or Chris Huntley explain Dramatica as a logic engine? Reading through Aristotelian Logic over lockdown, seems clear to me that that is what Dramatica is, fundamentally. The Dramatica engine requi… --- ## [Some thoughts on a Holistically-Biased Model of Dramatica](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/some-thoughts-on-a-holistically-biased-model-of-dramatica/3631)
**Author:** [@Audz](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Audz)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2021, 10:03pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/some-thoughts-on-a-holistically-biased-model-of-dramatica/3631 "2021-12-24T22:03:56Z")
So we all know that the existing implementation of dramatica is a K-based system that favors linear thinkers over holistic thinkers. I’ve been wondering what a holistically biased, D-based model of Dramatica’s Story Min… --- ## [Reorienting the Z-Patterns](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/reorienting-the-z-patterns/3621)
**Author:** [@geoff](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/geoff)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/reorienting-the-z-patterns/3621 "2021-12-13T20:35:26Z")
I had been thinking about mental sex (i.e. problem solving style) and the order of signposts in dramatic circuits. As I understand, linear problem solvers go in Z-formations through a quad, whereas holistics go in C-form… --- ## [Gaining a More Intuitive Understanding of the RS Throughline through Romance Tropes](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/gaining-a-more-intuitive-understanding-of-the-rs-throughline-through-romance-tropes/3514)
**Author:** [@Audz](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/Audz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/gaining-a-more-intuitive-understanding-of-the-rs-throughline-through-romance-tropes/3514 "2021-09-12T18:38:15Z")
So I was reading through another thread on distinguishing the RS Throughline from the others and had something to say, but figured I’d post it as its own topic rather than revive/derail a year-old conversation. I really… [Next page](https://discuss.dramatica.com/c/theory/8.md?page=1)