Rating: 
Summary: Gets me where me needs to be.
Review: Noticing that quite a few contemporary made-for-TV movies have a distinctive and polished intricacy, suggested this was probably to do with Dramatica, that I had noticed a friend using for a novel-cum-screenplay. So I read the comprehensive manual from her installation, and concluded that this was a good way for me to go, too.Progress was slow to begin with, mostly because one needs to be patient and go through it all, ( a few times) in good order, to avoid getting mightily confused, since a great deal of the explanation is often another way to convey what is already known - sort of - from many other sources. So it needs to be taken all as a piece to make satisfactory progress. Which makes sense, because the Dramatica application is a self-contained system, with its own terminology, which responds to your accurate and considered input to a set of inter-related questions about the characters, plot, motivations, outcomes, etc. The accuracy of your answers is an important to the result, so clear thinking has to be applied. I'm far from hero status with Dramatica, but have found its use to be extremely helpful because it makes me THINK about what I am writing about. It doesn't write the piece for me, or box me in, in any way, as others have suggested it does. In conclusion, I am very satisfied with Dramatica and how it has improved my writing. It's also good to be able to discuss and share files with other users ( internationally), who are all pretty much on the same wavelength, which avoids/minimises having to navigate different terminologies and approaches.
Rating:
Summary: A thorough and exhaustively compressive software
Review: Now in version 4.0 for both Windows and Macintosh, The Ultimate Creative Writing Partner Dramatica Pro is an impressively thorough and exhaustively compressive software created and designed to specifically aid writers of all skill and experience levels, ranging from the aspiring novice to seasoned and published professional. Tools to improve plot structure, scene creation, visualize characters, apply different story modes, and much, much more offer a wealth of insight and a "user friendly" means of keeping track of drafts and details. A superb reference and working tool for any writer, The Ultimate Creative Writing Partner Dramatica Pro is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh and offers a complete and enthusiastically recommended step-by-step writing system which will enhance any literary effort whether it be personal or commercial.
Rating:
Summary: The Cure for Cancer?
Review: Ok ok...the title is a bit far fetched...but I had to use something to get your attention. I was afraid "The Cure for Writers Block" just wouldn't cut it... But that's just it. No, it's not a cure for cancer, but Dramatica has definitely helped me overcome writers block! I've tried many different processes to come up with a story to write (always has been in novel form, this time I've decided to try to do a screenwrite for a film). None of these have worked. The farthest I've gotten in writing a story was one without an outline many years ago, when I stopped at the middle of the book, not knowing what to do next. The most research I've ever done on a topic got me nowhere. All that I have printed out and is tucked away in some drawer. Using Dramatica has helped me. Although I only just got into it today, in a matter of hours I have turned the rough idea of a few characters into an entire cast, the rough idea of a theme into a lifelong lesson that everyone will appreciate, and a rough idea of a plot into an entire story. The only part of Dramatica I've explored is the StoryGuide (the button that says "Start Here"). I tried the level one storyguide which gives you approx. 60 questions to answer (some multiple choice, others a choice of 2 options, and others a text box for you to jot down ideas). these questions go in some what of an order, and you can save it and go back and add more to anything. There's a spot to put a basic outline when you first begin, and later you go back, after answering questions and adding depth (with this programs help of course) to your characters, and can revise your outline with more details. Of course you can go back to anything at any time. This is so great for me because I'm a computer geek who does much better on this old thing than I do with a pad of paper and a pen. My biggest problem is, by far, writers block. This program continues to ask you questions (which you can skip and come back to) (if you dont understand the words they use..such as protagonist and antagonist..they have buttons giving brief summaries of their definitions--big plus!). By asking you so many questions about a number of topics, the writers block seems to go away. So far, I'm at the point where they help you create scenes. So I have my skeleton and all it needs is some meat and flesh. Then get it reviewed by some of my friends. Then off to the producers..then the movie theaters! Like I said, I'm not familliar with all aspects of this program, but this one section..the query system as they call it..has really helped me. If anything, I say it's worth the money just for this one part....
Rating:
Summary: The Cure for Cancer?
Review: Ok ok...the title is a bit far fetched...but I had to use something to get your attention. I was afraid "The Cure for Writers Block" just wouldn't cut it... But that's just it. No, it's not a cure for cancer, but Dramatica has definitely helped me overcome writers block! I've tried many different processes to come up with a story to write (always has been in novel form, this time I've decided to try to do a screenwrite for a film). None of these have worked. The farthest I've gotten in writing a story was one without an outline many years ago, when I stopped at the middle of the book, not knowing what to do next. The most research I've ever done on a topic got me nowhere. All that I have printed out and is tucked away in some drawer. Using Dramatica has helped me. Although I only just got into it today, in a matter of hours I have turned the rough idea of a few characters into an entire cast, the rough idea of a theme into a lifelong lesson that everyone will appreciate, and a rough idea of a plot into an entire story. The only part of Dramatica I've explored is the StoryGuide (the button that says "Start Here"). I tried the level one storyguide which gives you approx. 60 questions to answer (some multiple choice, others a choice of 2 options, and others a text box for you to jot down ideas). these questions go in some what of an order, and you can save it and go back and add more to anything. There's a spot to put a basic outline when you first begin, and later you go back, after answering questions and adding depth (with this programs help of course) to your characters, and can revise your outline with more details. Of course you can go back to anything at any time. This is so great for me because I'm a computer geek who does much better on this old thing than I do with a pad of paper and a pen. My biggest problem is, by far, writers block. This program continues to ask you questions (which you can skip and come back to) (if you dont understand the words they use..such as protagonist and antagonist..they have buttons giving brief summaries of their definitions--big plus!). By asking you so many questions about a number of topics, the writers block seems to go away. So far, I'm at the point where they help you create scenes. So I have my skeleton and all it needs is some meat and flesh. Then get it reviewed by some of my friends. Then off to the producers..then the movie theaters! Like I said, I'm not familliar with all aspects of this program, but this one section..the query system as they call it..has really helped me. If anything, I say it's worth the money just for this one part....
Rating: 
Summary: STOP, fear not the blank page
Review: There are NO shortcuts. Formulas are for fools. Writers block and fear of the blank page drove me in a moment of desperation to seek answers outside myself. Do not make my mistake and waste time and $$ on this "get creative(rich) quick" sham-scam product. It's worthless and will end up doing more harm than good, smothering your creativity to death. See Adaptation. There are no shortcuts. Work. If you're scared and desperate, write about that. But, please, do not buy this. Run away while there is still time.
Rating:
Summary: Dramatica Pro V4
Review: This a well structured and thought-out piece of software that DOES NOT WRITE THE STORY FOR YOU! Ironically, although based in many ways upon Aristotle's 'Poetics', it brings unique slants and methods to character building, including building deep psychological profiles, a organized story line and focus on the story's intent. When used with maximum features one is forced to examine the role and purpose of "every" character in the proposed story. Have some loose ideas? Answer a series of questions and a preliminary structure is provided. But there is no requirement to follow it slavishly, it is an aid to creativity, not a substitute. There is no doubt that it is a complex piece of software that trys to introduce new ways of stoy telling and answer the primary question that should be in any writer's mind, what is this story about? What "argument" is being presented and how is that argument resolved? I have learned more about writing in learning to use this software than I have in the last 20 years. In addition their website offers a plethora of insight, options and even has the original book behind the concept online and downloadable. This is NOT software for people who are not serious about their writing. what literature means in today's society, and requires a substantial amount of work to learn and use properly. It integrates with Screenwriter 2000 and Storyview very well, as well as a number of other common story writing and formatting programs. In short, this a product that requies thinking, a serious approach to writing and the willingness to spend time using it and learning a new method of story craftsmenship. I own hundreds of software programs, and this is among those that was worth every bloody cent. But one must always remember, writing is hard work and this software, nor any other software program will NOT do that WORK for you. To expect that by just filling in some templates and characterization forms and then have a "Story" written and ready to go is absolute nonsense. If you're serious about writing, try their demo. I highly recommend this product, but it suited me very well and bought several of their other products. BUT, try the demo, it may not be your cup of tea, or maybe like me you'll become so stimulated by it's thought provoking proceses that I wouldn't write a 3 character, one act play without using it. This is a well thought out and serious system, and has to be approached with that in mind, or in fact it might appear to a waste - but personally, I think that's the "writer's" fault. Not the program.
Rating: 
Summary: I have seen better!!!!
Review: This program is ok. But FictionMaster better for pro's and WritePro is better for newcomers. I can't understand why Amazon doesn't seem to have either (try writepro.com for both.). Both have won alot of praise from both computer pros, and writting pros. And the Software is done by a real pro writer, one of the finest writing teachers around, Sol Stein. I have taken some of his workshops. He teaches the pros.
Rating: 
Summary: Creative writing partner
Review: Well, that's what this is, according to the box it comes in.
What it is not:
... a guaranteed magic wand that will grant you good literature.
... simple for everyone to use.
... a solution to the creatively challenged.
... inexpensive
... a complete waste of your money.
What it is:
... A partner, a tool, that supplements the writer's existing skills.
... not impossible to learn within a reasonable period.
... one solution to the problem of poor organizational skills.
... another way to get the juices flowing.
... arguably the best in its field.
... worth the cost if you are serious about improving as a writer.
Don't be swayed by those who say this software is difficult to use, and don't be swayed by those who say it's not. I feel that, for those who are able to use most softwares intuitively, it isn't particularly difficult. Although it isn't perfect, there are very few - if any - softwares that are. It all depends upon you. And in Dramatica's case, once you get past that hurdle it very quickly becomes a breeze to use.
No, I don't feel that it supplants my creativity. But that's more likely because I don't allow it to.
As for writer's block, there are established ways of getting over that, and - for me - they do not include the use of a computer.
The main problem I have is lack of persistence of focus. And, as a cure for that, it's excellent.
What has it done for me?
It's given me a much greater focus on and control over the mechanics of ordering my thoughts. Sure, I could use index cards, but they're very unwieldy. As a replacement for them, Dramatica has been more of a boon than a relational database has ever been. All the benefits without the programming.
There are different ways of using Dramatica. I've already got a good idea about my characters and how the plot progresses before I begin. Most often, I use character building and the many different reports to complement.
The various input options, such as character building, are very helpful for noting down important elements and ensuring the continuity of them.
I rarely use the brainstorming option, but it's there if I am well and truly mired in a loop.
To sum up: horses for riders, not so much for courses.
Don't be swayed by negative or positive reviews. Use the trial version as long as you can, make sure you use it as a partner, a tool, and not the universal panacea, and you'll find out if it is right for you.
If you think it is, and decide to spend your hard earned money on it, then be prepared to work harder on your writing than you have, perhaps, before. If it only does that, I think you'll consider it money well spent.
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