Dramatica

Appearance

Illustrating ​

Illustrating is where you explore every Storypoint in your Storyform and translate it into meaningful story material. Subtxt divides Illustrating by Throughline so you can stay grounded in the correct Perspective while you work. The goal is to make each Storypoint vivid, specific, and consistent with the Storyform’s argument.

How Illustrating is organized ​

Illustrating uses the four Throughlines as its navigation spine:

  • Objective Story (OS) — the external conflict the whole cast shares.
  • Main Character (MC) — the personal experience the audience lives through.
  • Influence Character (IC) — the alternative worldview that pressures the MC to change (or resist change).
  • Relationship Story (RS) — the relationship that grows or fractures as the story unfolds.

Within each Throughline, Subtxt surfaces the Storypoints that are currently available for that Perspective: Domains, Concerns, Issues, Problems, Signposts, and any supporting Storypoints that have been unlocked by your Storyform.

Exploring Storypoints in context ​

To fully explore each Storypoint:

  1. Start with the Throughline that owns it. Storypoints are always interpreted through a specific Perspective.
  2. Read the definition and examples. Subtxt keeps Dramatica definitions visible so your interpretation stays aligned.
  3. Illustrate the conflict. Write down a concrete situation, behavior, or relationship that expresses the Storypoint.
  4. Check for alignment. Use Storyform Alignment prompts to confirm your illustration fits the larger Storyform.
  5. Connect to Storybeats. Break the Storypoint into smaller beats so the audience feels the progression.

If you need deeper guidance on the language and structure behind these steps, visit the Narrative Aspects guides:

  • Perspectives — assign Storypoints and Storybeats to specific viewpoints.
  • Storypoints — learn how each Storypoint functions and how to illustrate it.
  • Storybeats — translate Storypoints into concrete beats and scenes.
  • Dynamics — understand the Appreciations that drive change and outcome.

Throughline focus areas ​

Objective Story (OS) ​

Use the Objective Story Throughline to ground the external stakes. This is where you illustrate how the larger plot unfolds and how the cast responds to the same pressure. If your OS Storypoints feel thin, revisit Plot & Players to verify who is actually carrying the Objective Story functions.

Main Character (MC) ​

The Main Character Throughline is your interior lens. Illustrate how the MC experiences the conflict, how they justify their Problem-Solving Style, and how their Resolve/Growth choices color each Storypoint.

Influence Character (IC) ​

The Influence Character Throughline captures the alternative path. Illustrate how the IC’s worldview challenges the MC’s assumptions and creates pressure to change. This Throughline often clarifies why the story’s argument feels inevitable.

Relationship Story (RS) ​

The Relationship Story Throughline is the emotional heart of the narrative. Illustrate the evolving dynamic between the MC and IC (or the most central relationship in the story) so the audience feels the push-and-pull of connection and conflict.

TIP

If you get stuck, open Narrova inside the Illustrating workpad and ask for an example that honors the current Storyform. Narrova will keep the Throughline Perspective intact while suggesting Storybeats you can adapt.