Is there a way to see the connections “behind the scenes” in Dramatica?
Frequently, I get my storyform all set, then I get to the one little detail where it doesn't quite fit, or where something else might fit better. I know the usual cautions about not having to follow the storyform exactly, but I'd like to at least take a shot at re-massaging it. Usually when I do, other elements fall into place even better than before.
The challenge is that it's almost never apparent (to me anyway) which elements "up the chain" I have to unlock in order to change the one I really want to change. I then spend frustrating hours poking around in trial and error to discover them. While such poking sometimes gives me a better picture of the inner workings, it always seems to come at the worst possible time, and is the source of the "hate" in my "love-hate" relationship with Dramatica.
Is there a way to see the interconnections (or at least some of them) "back up the chain", so that if I want to change Element D, I know I will have to change C, B, and A? Obviously, each element would have to have its own web of connections, but it would be incredibly helpful to be able to visualize them (or at the very least calculate them). I'm using StoryEngine and ThemeBrowser.
Some connections are obvious--others are virtually impossible to detect.
The simplest way to change your storyform is to clear it and remake your choices based on your newer priorities. I know, that's not what you're asking, but I felt it was important to at LEAST mention this because it is, by far, the fastest and easiest to make storyform changes 95% of the time.
Here are some basic guidelines to how storyforming choices impact your storyform.
First a little description of the pieces of the Dramatica structural model for those on the list less familiar with its organization. In no particular order....
- There are four Domains that make up the storyform: Situation (Universe); Activity (Physics); Fixed Attitude (Mind); and Manipulation (Psychology).
- Each domain has four levels. Starting at the top and going down they are: Domain; Types; Variations; Elements.
- Though each level is the same size, the levels increase in complexity (and the items get smaller) as you go from the topmost to the bottommost level. For example, in any given Domain there will be: 1 domain; 4 types; 16 variations; and 64 elements.
- The basic organization of the Dramatica structural model is a quad. Basically, a quad is a square divided once vertically and horizontally into four equal squares (two squares on each side).
- The relationship of the items in the quad has meaning and there are label for the different relationships.
- Items in a diagonal relationship are called Dynamic Pairs. There are two dynamic pairs in a quad.
- Items in a horizontal relationship are called Companion Pairs. There are two companion pairs in a quad.
- Items in a vertical relationship are called Dependent Pairs. There are two dependent pairs in a quad.
OK. Now let's look at the impact of some Storyforming choices.
- The relationship of the Main Character throughline to the Impact Character throughline is a dynamic pair. Therefore, the MC domain and IC domain will always be is a diagonal relationship on the Dramatica structural model. It also means that choosing the domain for one of the throughline's automatically picks it for the other.
- The relationship of the Overall Story throughline to the MC/IC throughline is a dynamic pair. Therefore, the OS domain and MC/IC domain will always be is a diagonal relationship on the Dramatica structural model. It also means that choosing the domain for one of the throughline's automatically picks it for the other.
- Since the Type labels are unique, choosing a throughline Concern also selects the throughline domain.
- Since the Variation labels are unique, choosing a throughline Issue also selects the throughline concern and domain.
- Choosing a throughline Problem, Solution, Symptom, or Response may select the throughline issue, concern, and domain. Since the Element labels are NOT unique (each label appears four times with the Dramatica structural model), where you make the choice will determine if you are picking a specific element AND its domain (Theme Browser), or if you are narrowing down the storyforming choices for issue, concern, and domain (StoryGuide/DQS, StoryGuide, etc.).
- Choosing "Do-er" for MC Approach limits your MC domain to either Situation or Activity.
- Choosing "Be-er" for MC Approach limits your MC domain to either Fixed Attitude or Manipulation.
- Choosing "Start" for MC Growth limits the relationship between the MC domain and the OS domain to a dependent pair (vertical) relationship.
- Choosing "Stop" for MC Growth limits the relationship between the MC domain and the OS domain to a companion pair (horizontal) relationship.
- Choosing "Change" for MC Resolve establishes that the MC domain and OS domain will have the same Problem and Solution element labels.
- Choosing "Steadfast" for MC Resolve establishes that the MC domain and the OS domain will share the Symptom and Response element labels.
- Choosing the Concern for one throughline chooses the Concerns for all four throughlines. The concerns will all be in the same relative quad position. For example, if you choose FUTURE as a concern which appears in the lower left quadrant, the other concerns in your story will be Obtaining, Innermost Desires, and Changing One's Nature.
These are the simplest and most straightforward impacts of storyforming choices that I can think of. There are, obviously, many other choices you can make. The impact of those choices are more likely to be more complex and less obvious.
