Gather 'round…
Just kidding. I'm done. Were you worried? I have to say, that Structure Series was more than I bargained for. I thought I could tinker away at it, here and there, in between things. But that was not going to get it done before my Writers' Group meeting. Thanks to a marathon of post-generation, and... Continue Reading →
Hero's Journey: Complete. Writer's Journey: Complete. Whatever you want to call it, we made it through. Wasn't too painful, was it? Yet another disclaimer, as the series comes to a close: contained herein are my notes on Christopher Vogler's work. Some it is verbatim from his book. Some of it I have taken great liberties... Continue Reading →
Time to bring the boon back to the Ordinary World. New life - for the Hero, for his world - is ever changed. The Ordinary World is no longer as Ordinary. Return with the Elixer Tying up loose ends – closing the circle New questions OK, but all old must be resolved, or at least... Continue Reading →
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz My rating: 5 of 5 stars Hi-Larious. Truly. I am a sucker for a book that can have me snorting in the lawn chair, drawing the attention of confused passers-by. Make me cry with laughter and you've really got me. The Spellman files had me. I'm a slow reader.... Continue Reading →
For a complete story, reader needs to experience an additional moment of death and rebirth similar to the Supreme Ordeal, but different – Climax (not crisis) The Resurrection Final purging and purification before re-entering Ordinary World – Once more they must change Show change by behavior or appearance, not by just talking about it Demonstrate that... Continue Reading →
New experiment: Book Reviews via Goodreads. While I've been using Goodreads intermittently for a while, I've been trying recently to be more faithful (and accurate) at logging my reading fits and frenzies. And they have this neat little app that allows my book reviews to post automatically to my blog. Woah. Sweet. Let's try it!... Continue Reading →
And now it's time to return to the Ordinary World, and leave the magic of the Special World behind. The lessons have been learned, the growth attained, the boon recovered. But we are not done yet, and neither is our Hero. The Road Back A few heroes stay in the Special World, but most head... Continue Reading →
We made it! Our Hero has survived the Ordeal, and is now ready to take possession of that which he has been seeking all along. How exciting! Seizing the Reward Survival of Death - Big Deal! Taking possession of whatever hero was seeking – Seizing the Sword Not passive – generally active, aggressive even Sword... Continue Reading →
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 →
Tales From the Nexus 