# How I use dramatica to decide what to write about
**URL:** https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-i-use-dramatica-to-decide-what-to-write-about/1299
**Category:** Writing
**Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-i-use-dramatica-to-decide-what-to-write-about/1299 "2017-10-28T20:56:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@HaroldLloyd](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/HaroldLloyd)
#### Post date: [October 28, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-i-use-dramatica-to-decide-what-to-write-about/1299/1 "2017-10-28T20:56:31Z")
To help me clarify the bare bones “anthem” of the story, I usually have to write a simple sentence with the OS solution in context of the issue. I discovered I do this so often (usually while procrastinating instead of writing bad stories) that I decided to make a list of all of them in a spreadsheet (link at end). I use this list to consider options for what to write about–not subject matter, plots, or characters but basic anthems (for lack of a better word). It’s basically a sentence version of the dramatica chart since my mind works better with a sentence than a chart. You may find it useful for staring at it like a restaurant menu. “Ooh, I’ll write about that! That anthem looks like it hasn’t been done to death!”
The wording is: At the climax, the change character and the protagonist need to engage in (OS solution) regarding (OS issue) and (OS counterpoint).
This oversimplified wording assumes success/good and that OS success is what I’m advocating (i.e. that the story does not have a protagonist pursuing an unpleasant goal like Nightcrawler, etc). It doesn’t assume MC = protagonist nor does it assume MC is change.
Applied to Star Wars: At the climax, the change character and the protagonist need to engage in trust regarding skill and experience.
Applied to Princess Bride: At the climax, the change character and the protagonist need to engage in re-evaluation regarding deficiency and permission.
> **[Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnj09vbqa3h7ig3/dramatica-anthems-complete-list-of-OS-solutions-issues-counterpoints.xlsx?dl=0)**
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### Author:  [@mlucas](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/mlucas)
#### Post date: [October 29, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-i-use-dramatica-to-decide-what-to-write-about/1299/2 "2017-10-29T04:08:01Z")
Wow. That spreadsheet was actually a lot cooler than I thought it would be.
I can’t imagine using it to decide what to write, but those sentences really worked well with my own stories that I know the storyform for. For one, which is a Failure story with OS Solution of Support, I just had to replace “need to engage in Support” with “needed to engage in Support (but didn’t)”. What’s really neat is that in that story there _is_ a bunch of Support at the climax, but it’s resolving the IC and RS throughlines, while in the OS the Support is directed _away_ from the Story Goal rather than toward it – so that explains the Failure.
For the other story I’m working on, which is Success/Good, it really helped me see the OS Counterpoint (Rationalization) in a whole new light! I think I’ve been forgetting about that story point but now I see how it’s sneaking in everywhere…
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@jhull](https://discuss.dramatica.com/u/jhull)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://discuss.dramatica.com/t/how-i-use-dramatica-to-decide-what-to-write-about/1299/3 "2017-10-30T17:14:29Z")
Just want to second the sharing and the inspiration for different ways to use and understand Dramatica to write great stories.
Thanks!