BOOM

A dramatic story is an environment in which characters meet. By 'characters', I mean not only the characters in the script, but also those characters that are identifiable as 'the audience', 'the writer' and the writer's 'tribe' or 'tribes'. Story is the common ground - the common space and common time - that allows them to co-exist and become emotionally present to one another. However, for a story world to create the sort of attraction that draws ALL the characters in to what is happening emotionally within that time and space, I - as the writer/character - must acknowledge that the thoughts and passions of the other characters are not automatically provided and present like my own thoughts and passions are present to me, and that their freedom to choose and act must not be clouded or manipulated by my own needs and prejudices. They must have the integrity of a personal externality, or Otherness, that is distinguishable from my own private agendas. Story provides that neutral something that has no horse in the race, but which is the race itself - a place where ALL the characters are free to manipulate and sign pursuant to their own goals. It is an environment that allows them the freedom to choose, including the freedom to choose not to be free, without which freedom would be meaningless. A story is a place that enables a character - every character - to have both an “outside” and an “inside,” where words and actions may be a show of generosity for one character, and the darkest acts of treachery for another.

THE DRAMA IS IN THE RELATIONSHIPS … AND THE FRUSTRATED DESIRES. Join the official Where’s the Drama? website at http://www.wheresthedrama.com/apps/members/