Others say...

"Bad software that needs to be upgraded"
DramaticaPro probably has some good points and no doubt would help a lot IF I COULD SEE IT!!!

The screen resolution is so bad that I contacted the company to find out how to get larger fonts on the screen and they told me it couldn't be done!!!!

I adjusted the screen resolution of my computer in an attempt to be able to read the blasted thing and that helped a bit. But I really don't want giant letters in all my apps just so I can read DramaticPro.

Also, I went to the charater part [again] to do a little homework on a story I'm writing and found it way too restrictive. It has several character types but in the world of fiction, there are many more than DramaticaPro knows about. Plus, its terminology is obscure and specific to its theory. But, that is not especially helpful

What a shame, it promises so much and doesn't really deliver. A small cheap program that I used in the past is called StoryBuilder. It was a better choice as a simple way to organize index cards -- but alas -- now that Windows is into the XP phase, that softward doesn't really work anymore.

"Creative writing partner"
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.

"Overpriced, Character Creation Clunky, Obscure Terminology"
I've been a user of Dramatica since earlier versions. And while I find Dramatica has some good points, I find that there are some parts of this application that are just clunky. Number 1. The character creation screens and data is just terrible. For an application of this price I would expect a little more thorough approach. I would rally like an opportunity to compile a character's background, history and personal info within the application. I'd also like to be able to flag some of these traits so that they can be added to the story or become part of subplots used in the story. For instance if a character is insecure, I'd like to add that as an emotional goal to overcome during the length of the story. I'd also like to export characters easily for use in subsequent stories. This is not easily done. In my opinion, the entire Character generation screen is useless. (I won't even go there about the UGLY selection of character portraits). Come on, for this price get some nice looking professional icons rather than those ugly clip-art ones, OR make it easier to ad your own portraits.. Have you tried importing a portrait? Its not easy let me tell you! When trying to chose an icon to represent my protagonist I had a choice between X-Men and small cheap looking pictures of ugly cartoons. Come on now.

On to the software, I like the storyforming tools. But really the terminology at points is obscure. When it says my main character's "thematic opposite to the area of John's greatest sensitivity concerns willingness to reevaluate" it would be nice if I didn't have to refer to the manual to figure out what that means. I'm not a dummy, but I would like to be able to use the software without having to refer to the HELP.

Overall, I LIKE Dramatica Pro. But its by no means an easy App to work with. Some parts seem to be deliberately obscure, and its thin on character creation and rather heavy on your wallet.

"Disappointing"
If you expect to answer questions as to pigment type, oil drying time, the size of the canvas, and subject matter--don't expect a Rembrandt--or a novel either. You may find yourself disappointed as I was...

You see, I fully expected Dramatica Pro v.4 to be expert software. By definition, expert software gives some answers, much like a calculator. For example, if I enter 2+3 I should get an answer of 5. This software merely, merely, prints that I entered two values of "2" and "3" and that I must find the answer myself...Duh!

Where will it switch fore-story and back-story orders for effect? Where are does it alert me to character issues? Does it even insert all of your characters? Where can I change characters (in the same role) during the course of an epic? Does it boldly suggest a storyweaving? Does it calculate chapters, analyze development, critique or figure anything at all to help me write?No. I don't need expensive computer software to ask me how many chapters I wish for my novel and then just make me write them in. I can do that with pencil and paper.



"Try the Demo first"
I was just looking for formatting software when I came across Dramatica Pro and decided it was worth a closer look. I found the demo for the program at write-bros.com, and due to other reviews, also tried the WritePro demo. I found that Dramatica Pro helped me to do all the things I try to remember to do when I'm putting together a story, and it makes it so much easier to reference, add and change things down the line. I'd have given this 5 stars if there was a module for character naming and dialogue working. Of course then it would be a total crutch. I emphatically did not like WritePro, I found it much more confining, more like a writing class than a tool to create and work on my own stories. From write-bros.com you can demo Dramatica Pro, Hollywood Screenwriter, Movie Magic Screenwriter, StoryView and Writer's DreamKit. WritePro you can demo from writepro.com, but they have no demo for FictionMaster which looks like a good program.

If you are more the old fashioned type and don't want or need help creating and writing your stories you can try WriteItNow (writeitnow.com) It has a demo too. The CD costs about $44 and its bound to be slow, it comes over from the UK. I wish that was available from Amazon.com or Amazon.com.UK but it's not.