Ruby on Rails, often referred to as Rails, is a powerful web application framework that enables developers to create robust applications quickly. If you are a beginner in programming, getting started with Ruby on Rails might seem daunting, but with the right guidance, you can build impressive applications in no time. To begin your journey, ensure you have a solid understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as these languages are fundamental to web development. You will also need to install Ruby and Rails on your system, which you can easily do using package managers like rbenv or RVM.

Once your development environment is set up, you can create a new Rails application by running the command rails new myapp in your terminal. This command sets up a new directory with all the necessary files and folders. As you dive deeper into Rails, familiarize yourself with its conventions like MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture, which helps organize your application's code. Additionally, learning about Active Record, Rails' Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) system, will enable you to interact with databases effortlessly. Remember, practice is key, so start building small projects to solidify your understanding!

Writing clean code in Ruby is essential for maintaining readability and ensuring that your projects are easily manageable. Here are 10 tips to help you write clean Ruby code:

1. Use Descriptive Variable Names: Choose variable names that clearly describe their purpose. This helps other developers (and your future self) understand your code at a glance.
2. Keep Methods Short: Each method should perform one task and do it well. This makes your code modular and easier to test.
3. Follow Convention: Stick to Ruby community conventions, such as naming conventions and project structures, to foster consistency and predictability.
4. Avoid Global Variables: Global variables can lead to unexpected behavior; instead, use class or instance variables to maintain scope.

Continuing with our 10 tips, here are more practices to enhance code cleanliness:

6. Comment Wisely: Use comments to explain the 'why' behind complex logic. Avoid stating the obvious as it clutters the code.
7. Use Symbols Instead of Strings: For hash keys, prefer symbols for performance and memory efficiency.
8. Implement Unit Tests: Writing tests ensures your code behaves as expected and provides a safety net for future refactoring.
9. Regularly Refactor Code: Take the time to improve and simplify your code over time. Refactoring helps in keeping the codebase clean and maintainable.
10. Embrace Ruby's Features: Make use of Ruby's built-in methods and features, such as blocks, iterators, and modules, to write cleaner and more expressive code.

Building a story-driven web application with Ruby on Rails combines the strengths of a powerful framework with the art of storytelling. To begin, it's essential to outline the core narrative you want your application to convey. Identify your target audience and think carefully about their journeys. Start by sketching out user personas and scenarios that illustrate how users will engage with your application. By weaving these narratives into the design and functionality, you'll create a more compelling user experience that feels personal and relatable.

Once you have a clear narrative foundation, it's time to translate these stories into your application's architecture. Use Rails' conventions to create models, views, and controllers that reflect your designed user pathways. Organize your routes to support intuitive user navigation, ensuring the journey through your application feels seamless. Additionally, consider integrating visual elements like images and videos to enhance the narrative. By using Ruby on Rails's robust libraries and tools, you can enrich your web application with dynamic content that draws users in and keeps them engaged.