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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →