Dear @Nonomori: One of the very most fundamental concepts of Dramatica Theory is that Problem-Solving is at the crux of every well-built story. Which means that your characters’ differing approaches to (and perceptions of) the story’s challenging-to-them life problems will be at the deepest roots of all your story’s ongoing dramatic conflicts.
That is, a Dramatica “Problem” (from down at the Theme Browser’s bottom level) will be what began “bubbling up” at the story’s inciting incident. And the rest of the story, in one way or another, should have to do with the various characters (especially the Main and Impact Characters) struggling, together and apart, to define, deny, mitigate or evade that Problem (more or less).
So even though the Dramatica Theory relies on many distinctly-defined terms and abstract concepts, it is still, at heart, about people trying to work their way through problematic (and massive-to-them) situations, activities, fixed attitudes, or psychological tangles. All to re-find some sense of that blessed-though-fragile equilibrium.
Layered over by intricate explanations, meandering mind games, obstinate attitudes, convoluted activities, and maze-like situations? Doesn’t matter.
Every enduring story is still, at its core, a problem-solving contest (albeit often a contest with life-or-death stakes and urgency, and with multiple striving “contestants” laying it on the line).
If you know all this already, I’m sorry to waste your time.
But I continue to find this problem-solving emphasis to be one of the main concepts that helps me understand and effectively use the Dramatca Theory and software.
Anyway, I’m hopin’ to see your posts around here mo’ as you grow…