  Drama
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Drama is:
1. The Greek word for "action."
2. A real situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.
In my last newsletter, I discussed the elements of a psychological drama. In a psychological drama/thriller, the characters deal with a problem that requires thought using processes of the mind. In continuing that theme, I'm going to take a look at some philosophical elements that can come into play when writing psychological dramas.
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Philosophical issues in psychological writing usually deal with theoretical or conceptual ideas which focus on man's role in the universe.
Existentialism
With this concept, the reason for the human existence is unknown and unexplainable. The characters don't have a sense of security. Their world becomes bleak; there's a sense of "doom and gloom." The only thing they can rely on is themselves. An example of this might be a dramatic story set in a post-apocalyptic world.
Determinism
Events are determined by prior action. Characters feel desperate and hopeless since they can't effect change. There's a sense that their world is out of control.
Fatalism
Human action is ineffectual in determining the outcome of the event; whatever will be, will be. Characters fight a losing battle to regain control of their world.
Ontology
This issue examines the question "what is real and what's not?" In this drama, characters try to solve the answer. In the movie, "The Sixth Sense" viewers were left to examine this question throughout.
Dualism
The world into two separate entities: mind and matter. Characters can't tell what is actually present and what is a fabrication of their mind. This iss another concept that the movie "The Sixth Sense" taps into.
With psychological dramas, the characters might face ethical dilemmas as well. Ethical dilemmas deal with characters examining what's wrong and right. When the problem blends in the middle of right and wrong, the characters struggle with the question: "What's the ethical thing to do?"
ETHICS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL WRITING
Morality
This deals with what society would call right and wrong. The characters have to reconcile their own personal sense of right and wrong to what society believes is right and wrong.
Moral skepticism
Characters believe morals are false and can't be determined.
Nihilism
The world is without meaning, purpose, truth, or value. Characters feel depressed, living in a hopeless world.
Kuebler Ross Model
This is the process of grieving where characters explore such emotional territories as denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then, finally, acceptance. Characters can't deal with death or their own impending death.
Things to consider when tackling a psychological drama:
1. Keep the focus on the principle or element.
2. Choose the POV which will work BEST for the story and be consistent with POV. First person perspectives work really well with psychological dramas.
3. Research. This can bring your story a sense of authenticity it might not have otherwise.
Do you have a favorite psychological author you'd like to recommend? Do you have a product review of a psychological author you'd like to share? What element of psychological intrigues you the most? Do you have a static item you'd like to share? I'd love to see your product reviews. I just might buy a psychological author you recommend.
NEXT: BIOGRAPHIES
Material for this newsletter was taken from Wikipedia, Psychological drama/thriller at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_thriller
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This month's pics incorporate several of the elements mentioned above:
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Elements of dualism, hints of fatalism and nihilism are tackled in this inticing opening chapter.
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A dramatic poem that explores fatalism.
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A scene that tackles determinism.
A script that expresses elements of fatalism/existentialism and nihilism. Orin shows signs of depression due to his inability to be with Sasha.
Another look at existentialism.
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Hints at existentialism. |
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starr.
Hi, Steph: I enjoyed your drama newsltr. I was glad to see that you gave a list of reference links, too. Makes the nwsltr look more professional.
Thanks for the update on the Writer's Strike, and the link for that, too. Keep up the good work.
Cordially,
Starr*R
Thanks, Starr. 
Adriana Noir 
Ahh! I am a huge fan of psychological dramas and thrillers. This newsletter spoke to my heart. It's wonderful to see you touch upon these darker fictions. I'm looking forward to reading more about the different aspects. Some more good examples would be a few older classics like "The Clockwork Orange" or any of the series spun around "Silence of the Lambs" also makes for good psychological thrillers. One of my all time favorites is a bestseller written by Anne Rule called, "Possession." It's one of those creepy mountain men stories that has you sitting on the edge of your seat while it delves deep into the mindset of both kidnapper and victim. Whew!
Keep up the great work,
Adriana
{c}I loved "Silence of the Lambs," and "The Sixth Sense." I do have "Silence of the Lambs" in my library, but I haven't had a chance to tackle it yet. I started "Red Dragon," by Harris, but it didn't keep my attention. I love Ann Rule - I devour her books.
Cubby~Ready for the New Year! 
Interesting newsletter! Have you read The Girls He Adored by Jonathan Nasaw? This book really held my interested back in 2001. It's about a serial killer who has more than one person living inside his body. One day, one of his alternate personalities kidnaps his psychiatrist and takes her to his home. It was a real page-turner for me. I thought it was very intense!
~Cubby ")
{c}No, I haven't read Nasaw, but I'll check him out. It sounds like a great story. Do you have a product review you can share?
PartyBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her novel, "Destination:Berlin," just received a book review from the Midwest Book Review and is available on Amazon.com. |
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Drama: March 05, 2008 Issue [#2254]
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