Forking-path routines for plot advancement and problem solving in narrative composition and dramatic writing

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates how plot-advancement routines, i.e. ‘what-if’, ‘if-do’, and forking-path story alternatives, are generated in narrative composition and dramatic writing by exploring cognitive representations such as schemata and problem-solving mechanisms. The complexity of narrative synthesis and problem-solving involves the integration, organisation and recall of data relations in a systemic way through identification of logical inconsistencies. Cognitively, the advancement of plot is not based solely on the consolidation of narrative information. Authors have to base their strategic decisions also on architectural and structural, goal-oriented routines and sub-routines, all of which are investigated in this paper through a comparative analysis of topics from behavioural and cognitive psychology, cognitive narratology and narrative theory, artificial intelligence and narrative causality, aiming to elucidate a multifaceted process during dramatic writing and narrative composition.

KEYWORDS:

• Forking paths
• narrative logic
• narrative causality
• intentionality
• what-if story alternatives
• non-linearity
• problem-solving
• heuristics
• cognitive narratology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

George Varotsis is lecturer in Creative Industries at GSM London where he teaches creative thinking and problem solving, and researches in areas related to cognitive narrative theory and narratology. His monograph Screenplay and Narrative Theory is published by Lexington Books. Parallel to his academic career, he is represented as screenwriter/film director by Jake Friedman at Scenario in Los Angeles.