So finally we're facing the big crisis of the story. We've got all sorts of tools on hand to give it high impact: The Ordeal Hero must die (literally or figuratively) so that they can be reborn Options: (Think Story Engineering tentpole analogy) Central crisis happens at midpoint This is halfway through Act II. Story... Continue Reading →

We're coming through all the tests, making good with all the new experiences, and the time is coming for the real struggle. As it draws near, our Hero will take a little break to rest up and save up his strength. There might be a nice bonfire scene, relaxation and jollification before the great battle... Continue Reading →

So we're here... we've taken the leap of faith, and are on the way through the Special World in search of our boon, whatever that may be for our Hero. This is a big transition that should not go unnoticed by our readers. We need to make sure that we have crafted our Special World... Continue Reading →

Saying goodbye to the Ordinary World. Bring on the Special World. What is the Special World?  It's the world of the challenge. The unfamiliar. The alien. The world where the heart of the journey takes place. Our Hero commits to an adventure, and the Special World is the arena for that adventure, with new rules,... Continue Reading →

Fuel for the fire... Meeting with the Mentor, whatever form the Mentor takes, will propel our Hero on into the journey. Stage 4 is about our Hero finding that Mentor, that source of direction and strength. Mentors have great potential to add layers to our story that would not otherwise be present, and help bring... Continue Reading →

Who really answers the call right out of the gates? No Hero worth reading very much about. Our Heroes, those Heroes who are true onions, those Heroes who are interesting, will be a bit apprehensive, and possibly scared to death at the prospect of entering into the journey that lay before them. Stage 3 is about... Continue Reading →

Time for a change...  The Call is just that, something that calls our Hero to inevitable change, growth, or both. Stage 2 has one mission, and one mission alone: to change the playing field for the Hero. It is a great place to use all kinds of artistic tools to show the need for change,... Continue Reading →

Act I is all about the Ordinary World. It is where we meet our Hero. Where they live - most of the time. Eventually our stories will rocket them into a Special World, but before we go there, we need to have a strong sense of what normal is for our Hero and our world.... Continue Reading →

First off, we need to understand the language Christopher Vogler utilizes. His is the mythic story structure model, and as such, it employs mythic vocabulary. The whole thing is a giant metaphor that we will, should we choose to follow his advice, recreate within our own pages, with our own hero, our own quest, and our... Continue Reading →