by Glen C. Strathy
Several things must be said about the Dramatica creative writing software program, published by Screenplay Systems.
- Dramatica Pro is publishing and subscriptions software, and includes features such as books, and layout & design. With regards to system requirements, Dramatica Pro is available as Mac, and Windows software. Costs start at $149.95/one-time/user. Dramatica Pro includes business hours support.
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First, you should know before you buy it that this software is based upon a very detailed and complex theory of how stories work. The articles in the How To Write a Novelsection are just a brief glimpse into the totality of Dramatica theory.
Dramatica Story Expert 5.0.3 for Mac can be downloaded from our software library for free. This Mac download was scanned by our antivirus and was rated as virus free. The most frequent installer filename for the application is: dramaticastoryexpert5.dmg. The most popular version among the. Download the Dramatica Story Expert 5.0 Demo for Macintosh for OSX 10.12 (Sierra) or earlier; Dramatica Pro 4 for Windows (only) The trial version for Dramatica Pro does not expire, but the Print and Save features are disabled. The full version can be downloaded and installed after purchasing a license. Download the Dramatica Pro 4 Demo for.
The theory describes how, in a well structured story, plot elements, characters, and several types of thematic elements will exist in a balanced relationship with each other – a relationship that can be expressed in mathematical terms. The current version of the software recognizes over 32,000 possible arrangements of story elements that are dramatically sound (though in theory, four times this number may be possible).
32,000 story forms are more than you will ever need. Few novelists write more than 100 books in their lifetime. Besides, you could use the same story form for dozens of novels without appearing too formulaic. Harry Potter and Star Wars use similar structures yet they are quite different stories. Readers who are paying attention may notice the similarities, but most won't.
Dramatica software works by inviting you to make choices about elements in your story – either a story you are developing or one you've written but want to improve. Each decision you make narrows the list of story forms until finally there is only one structure that fits with all your choices. At that point, the software gives you information about what other story elements you should add, or how to adjust the other elements in order to make your story complete, well structured, and emotionally compelling. Hence, the software is correctly marketed as the only product that can tell you things about your story that you didn't know.
The software comes in two versions for Windows-based systems at the moment:...
Writer's Dream Kit 4.0This is a light version with fewer features, but may be a good choice if you don't want to get too involved in the theory.
Second is the ...
Write Brothers Dramatica Pro WinThis is the full-featured version for Windows. It uses the same patented mathematical model of story structure, but with expanded features. In particular it provides a more in-depth way to structure characters.
Finally, for Mac users there is ...
Dramatica Story Expert [Download]The Mac version has added features designed to make story creation easier by replacing jargon with terms of the writer's choosing.
First (and Least), the Downside
The second thing you should know about this software is that it is controversial. There are those who are offended by the very idea that mathematics can be applied to an artistic endeavour such as story writing. Into this category falls no less a figure than Robert Mckee, the screenwriting guru and author of the book, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting.
On the other hand, fiction isn't the first art form to have mathematics used to describe its structure. For instance, the mathematical ratio known as the Golden Section has been used in architecture and painting for thousands of years to create aesthetically pleasing works. Moreover, a growing number of highly successful authors and screenwriters praise the usefulness of both the theory and the software.
Another difficulty with the software is that, in order to use it effectively, you need to understand the theory. While the software includes plenty of help at every stage, and comes with a digital version of the theory book, the learning curve is quite steep. Dramatica is a very different way of looking at stories than most people are used to and it takes time to grasp it fully. Writers have been known to spend many months learning the theory (and not getting a lot of stories written in the meantime).
You may want a little instruction to shorten the learning curve (we try to offer some instruction on this site).
One other drawback is that the software was created a few years ago. While the Mac version has been more recently updated, the Windows version lacks some of the navigation functions you expect to find in most software and doesn't yet include all the features of its Mac counterpart.
All that aside, there are many positive things about Dramatica that make it a worthwhile investment.
Now, The Many Pros of Dramatica
Despite any shortcomings, Dramatica is undeniably a work of genius. Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley, who invented both the theory and the software, have made a totally original and monumental contribution to our understanding of how to write good stories. I fully believe Ph.D. students will one day be writing dissertations theses based on their work.
If you're a fiction writer, the software can help ensure your story has a sound plot, good character development and a solid thematic core. It can take you from a basic idea to a fully formed outline in a matter of hours!
The software has been designed to let you take many different paths towards shaping your story's structure. You can start with the Query System, which takes you through a series of questions that help you build your story. (This is the best path for the beginner.) The software offers several levels of help at each stage. Here is an example of one question...
You can also start by Creating Characters, if that feels more natural. The Build Characters feature lets you assign character functions easily and see at a glance the relationships between characters. Here's a sample view of characters from the first Star Wars film and their dramatic functions...
If you know the theory well and have a grasp of what kind of story you want to tell, you may go straight to the Story Engine and make choices there. (In fact, its a good idea to make your most important choices first – the ones you know you absolutely want for your story - because they will determine everything else.)
Once you have made at least one important choice, you can turn to the Theme Browser or Plot Progression windows to look at the story as a whole and make further choices from that perspective. You are free to jump from one path to another according to your creative instinct.
(Here's a view of the top level of the Theme Browser...)
The program lets you print out a large variety of reports which look at the choices you have made and the relationships between the various story elements, helping you to understand your story in a very deep way before you start writing (if you're a plotter) or if you're hoping to improve an existing manuscript.
One final thing I should mention... the creators of Dramatica were primarily interested in screenwriting, so the software assumes that's your interest too. Most of the story examples are taken from films. However, the software can easily be used for any kind of fiction writing you want to do.
If you'd like to own a copy of Dramatica software, you can find all three versions on Amazon.
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The creative writing partner that helps you create great characters, plan your plot from start to finish, and blast away those writer's blocks.
Got a great story but don't know where to start? Dramatica Pro software is your creative writing partner. Create great characters. Plan your plot from start to finish. Dramatica Pro blasts away those writer's blocks. Dramatica Pro is the only story development software to receive four stars from Writer's Digest magazine.
NOTE: Dramatica® Story Expert™ is the compatible version of Dramatica for Mac OS X 10.7 and above.
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Dramatica is my indispensable tool both in bringing form to my new novels and in the repair and tune-up of stories that I am revisiting. It has added a new, grander dimension to my craft. These are power tools no storyteller should be without.
Tracy Hickman, NY Times Best Selling Author, DragonLance (series), Rose of the Prophet (series), Deathgate Cycle (series), Bronze Chronicles (series), Serenity RPG Game: Out in the Black
To upgrade to the latest version of Dramatica® Pro 4.0 for Windows from an earlier version of Dramatica Pro, you must supply your current serial number. Your serial number will be checked against your last name. If you cannot locate your number or your last name has changed, please call 1-800-84-STORY to place your order by phone. SPECIAL NOTE: Before adding the item to the shopping cart, please make sure to create a Log in Account. The serial number should then be accepted and you can proceed in placing your order. If your current Dramatica Pro serial number starts with 143A... you do not need to upgrade, you already have the latest version available for Windows.
NOTE: Dramatica® Story Expert™ is the compatible version of Dramatica for Mac OS X 10.7 and above.
Learn More | Add to CompareDramatica Pro Academic
The creative writing partner that helps you create great characters, plan your plot from start to finish, and blast away those writer's blocks.
2 activations per purchase!
Dramatica is my indispensable tool both in bringing form to my new novels and in the repair and tune-up of stories that I am revisiting. It has added a new, grander dimension to my craft. These are power tools no storyteller should be without.
Tracy Hickman, NY Times Best Selling Author, DragonLance (series), Rose of the Prophet (series), Deathgate Cycle (series), Bronze Chronicles (series), Serenity RPG Game: Out in the Black
To order Dramatica® Pro at the academic price, you must be a full-time student or teacher at an accredited high school, college, or university. You must be able to provide some sort of proof or identification.
CLICK HERE to complete an Academic Proof form.
Please complete the form to provide Write Brothers® with proof of academic status when purchasing academic versions of Write Brothers® software at Screenplay.com, or call us at 1-800-84-STORY.
NOTE: Dramatica® Story Expert™ is the compatible version of Dramatica for Mac OS X 10.7 and above.
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