A framework for conflict
Dramatica Framework
Dramatica is a narrative framework centered on how to design conflict to create complete stories, stories that explore all sides of an argument.
The basic tools used are the Table of Story Elements (or Conflict Model), a model of the ideal mind, and a process to blueprint conflict evolution for specific arguments. Each resulting narrative model (or storyform) provides a clear mapping of how conflict in different areas (or domains) should evolve to convey a narrative with the intended meaning —the author’s standpoint in the specific argument.
The conflict model is public, but the process (or algorithm) for generating the different narrative models is not. Two main software applications can be used:
- Dramatica: developed in the 1990s, the software provides the needed tools to get different views on the narrative models or storyforms. The Windows version is quite limited, and the Mac version is known to be incompatible with newer versions of the OS —despite having more features than the Windows version.
- Subtxt: developed by Jim Hull since 2006, provides an up-to-date online version of the framework. It has some differences with the original Dramatica version, like different understanding of how the conflict progresses through each narrative model, or some specific labels to designate the nature of conflict. Subtxt results provide the same key aspects of a narrative model (Throughline, Concern, Issue, etc.) but differ in how the conflict progresses in the storyform (the Transits).
One significant challenge of using the Dramatica framework is its steep learning curve, a departure from traditional narrative approaches. While most theories try to explain how to craft a text from the patterns gathered by the experience of consuming stories, Dramatica focuses on the different areas and aspects of what it means to craft a story with meaning. Stories, after all, serve as our experiences with unsolvable problems, offering context and invaluable lessons. They are the medium through which humans learn about the world. The origin of the conflict model is precisely that focus on meaning and how we, as humans, process conflict.
What if…
… I don’t write complete stories, but short stories?
The Dramatica framework will give you an understanding of conflict that allows you to craft better short stories. Once you’ve mastered what conflict really is, the Conflict Model will be your best ally to craft compelling short stories just by using the four aspects in a quad, or developing only parts of the proposed narrative model (storyform).
… I hate planning out or outlining a story? I feel it kills creativity.
Creativity has always been about performing in constraining situations. Most creativity exercises force constraints to help think outside the box. Dramatica framework is no different, it just provides constrains to help you boost your creativity by narrowing down the specific nature of the conflict you’re dealing with in each beat of your story.
In Dramatica software, additional examples (called Gists) can be provided. If you want to use them, you’ll be sure faced with creative challenges such as crafting a story where the Main Character’s conflict stems from “fearing flowers”, or “being fixated with people’s teeth”. You can use those for creativity exercises —collective creative sessions are held yearly by the Dramatica User's Group.
In Subtxt you have additional examples or illustrations, the ability to craft your own with the revision of IA powered narrative agents, and a specific chat-like Muse to help you find your way from ideas to narrative models.