Overviews

Overviews: A Tool for the Author

Overviews in Subtxt serve as high-level summaries designed exclusively for the author. They are not referenced by Subtxt or Muse throughout the system but exist as a tool to help authors articulate and organize their narrative vision. Overviews summarize the underlying subtext of a story, reinforcing the fundamental distinction between storytelling (fluid and adaptable) and narrative structure (fixed and meaningful).

The Inside-Out Approach to Narrative

Subtxt follows an inside-out approach, meaning that the narrative structure forms the foundation of a story, while storytelling elements emerge from this foundation. This distinction is visually represented within Subtxt—everything below the curved narrative structure line is used by Subtxt and Muse for shaping the story, while everything above the line, including storytelling, remains fluid and adaptable.

Overviews reside above this line. They do not dictate or influence Subtxt’s structural analysis but act as a convenient reference for the author, summarizing deeper narrative meanings in a digestible format.

What Overviews Cover

Overviews encapsulate broad storytelling elements such as:

• Throughline summaries – Big-picture descriptions of the Objective Story, Main Character, Obstacle Character, and Relationship Story.
• Plot synopses – Summaries of major story movements.
• Character arcs – Broad outlines of how key characters evolve.
• Genre and stylistic concerns – Definitions of tone, mood, and other creative decisions.

While these elements are valuable for structuring a story, they do not feed back into Subtxt or Muse when generating story development suggestions.

Types of Overviews

Subtxt provides several Overview types, each serving a different function:

1. Logline – A concise summary of the story’s core conflict and stakes.
2. Genre Overview – Defines the tone, mood, and stylistic decisions of the story.
3. Throughline Overviews – Summarize each of the four Throughlines.
4. Plot Synopsis – A broad summary of the major narrative beats.
5. Character Relationship Overviews – Outline interactions and dynamics between key characters.
6. Character Arcs – High-level descriptions of character growth and transformation.
7. Storypoint Synopses – Provide context for specific story beats within each Throughline.

How to Use Overviews in Subtxt

1. Creating Overviews

Overviews can be created in Subtxt’s Develop Workspace under the Overviews tab. They can be manually written or generated using Muse by requesting summaries or descriptions. Additionally, Overviews can be automatically generated by clicking the up-arrow "Surface Subtext into Storytelling" button, which appears in multiple sections of the app. This button, located directly above the curved line that separates storytelling from narrative structure, compiles all the work beneath into a comprehensive summary for easy reference.

2. Using Overviews as a Reference

Since Overviews do not feed back into Subtxt’s narrative calculations, authors should use them as a guide for storytelling decisions rather than as definitive structures.

3. Refining Overviews Over Time

As authors update the subtext beneath their story, they can effortlessly refine their Overviews by resurfacing these deeper meanings into storytelling, ensuring coherence and alignment between structure and narrative expression.

The Key Takeaway

Overviews in Subtxt serve as a personal reference for the author, providing a high-level summary of the story’s structure without influencing Subtxt’s deeper narrative framework. They reinforce the distinction between subtext (fixed meaning) and storytelling (fluid interpretation), giving writers clarity and flexibility in shaping their stories.