188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Apotheosis

The detective hero realises the true nature and value of the treasure. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Fat Man tells Sam all about the Falcon.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Hero's Journey- Ordinary World

The detective hero is often found (lives in) his office where he survives on a diet of whiskey and cigarettes. His office is functional, a metaphor for his character (functional and cynical). He prefers this to his home environment, which is often desolate, the result of having nobody to go home to (he easily attracts women but his vast experience has led him to be cynical of them, hence relationships are short term; he has never had children). In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Spade is often found in his office.

Freelance Writer - Tips To Find The Right Writer

This article talks about the various important points while looking for a good freelancer writer. It talks about the important of providing good content these days.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 5)

In writing my novel I learned a lot of things the hard way so I just wanted to put this series out there for would be writers to help them on their path to writing their own book.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 3)

In writing my novel I learnt a lot of things the hard way so I just wanted to put this series out there for would be writers to help them on their path to writing their own book.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Conscious Decision Required

Post the meeting with the supernatural aid, the hero still isn't very sure about following the call to adventure. Something is needed to push him into it and give him a little determination. A death will do it. You killed my aunt and uncle, right I'm gonna kick your head in (Star Wars, 1977).

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Forms of Interdiction

Refusals to answer the call to adventure is one thing, another is the consequence of doing it. The hero's ordinary world has structure and that will be lost if he (or she departs). Punishments will be given, often by authority figures. Imagine yourself in the hero's place. If you were to follow your inner calling today, it .....

What Is A Romance Novel

A romance novel can be filled with hot and steamy scenes or gentle persuasions that cause readers to fall in love with heroes while the heroine stumbles around, blind as a bat, to all his good qualities. On the other hand, many a novel heroine waits impatiently for the hero to get it through his thick, stubborn head that she loves him.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Seeds of Regression

It is the antihero's fate to lose his ill-gotten kingdom. Even at his highest moment (the Seizing of the Sword), the Seeds of Regression are visible. Allies think of stealing his kingdom, his allies think of betrayal and his romantic challenge will not be appeased. In Scarface (1983), Elvira is unhappy, Manny and Gina think of eloping.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Metaphoric Characters

Many characters along the hero's journey and transformation are metaphoric and very often symbolic mirrors of each other. For example, The Innocent is often a mirror of the Romantic Challenge. Where the romantic challenge is a female, the innocent tends to be a young male (both sexual primes). Where the Romantic Challenge is male, the Innocent tends to be a young damsel. Just as the hero becomes the master of the two worlds and the two selves, the conquest of both sexual elements represents total mastery. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus conquers both Varinia and a young what's his name?

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Romantic Challenge

The romantic challenge is often simply a metaphor for any treasure that the hero finds valuable enough to push him (or her) forward. Further, she [the romantic challenge] is a metaphor for the hero's New Self, which is why she is often a pull toward the new self and accompanies the hero on the journey. In Spartacus (1983), Varinia is the embodiment of Spartacus' new self.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Mystical Marriage

The mystical marriage applies to that stage of the journey where the hero (or antihero) seizes the sword. The sword is often a fire (representing power) or treasure (that comes with or gives power) or a bride (that comes with it too). The mystical marriage is metaphoric for each of these or all of these. In Scarface (1983), Tony takes Frank's kingdom, with it comes power and also Elvira, his bride. Each is representative of the other. In Scarface (1983), Elvira represents (is metaphoric for) Frank's kingdom. She is the tangible representation of it.

The Substance of the Story: What Fiction Writers Can Learn from Screenwriters

Storytelling in Hollywood means screenwriting. Thus, it is a good idea for any fiction writer to pay attention to the principles of screenwriting so his story turns out to be energetic and successful.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Confidence Of The Antagonist

Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process. One element of the early stage of this part of the hero's journey is the supreme confidence of the antagonist. In Straw Dogs (1971), Chawsey, Charlie and Ratman are playing on their bikes.

Write A Query Letter That Sells!

If agents are saying no to your query letters it means your description of the story doesn't convince them your novel will sell. Learn the important steps in writing queries that get attention and accomplish what they are meant to do.