Crucial Element not lining up

[Mwoll]

I’m rewriting a project, and rebuilt the storyform in Dramatica. Now that I understand the theory better, I figured it would be good to start over. (Indeed, the storyform changed.)

However, now that I understand the theory better, I finally understood the “Crucial Element”. Problem is, in none of my trial storyforms does the MC actually have the MC Crucial Element.

I have a feeling the problem lies in misunderstanding a term, or two, or two hundred.

What now? Any suggestions?

[Chris Huntley]

The Crucial Element does not conform to archetypal characters, which might be the problem you have run into. I recommend assigning the MC Crucial element to the MC if you want to make it "fit." It may make the MC a bit more complex, but that should not be a problem.

On the other hand, ignore the MC Crucial and IC Crucial assignments altogether. They are NOT critical to making your story work. Besides, the audience often interprets the MC as having the MC Crucial even if you do not encode it.