188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): First Threshold Magical Spells

The hero enters the first threshold a fish out of water. When he leaves it he is less a fish out of water. In between, he matures on some level. Often he learns new competencies and capabilities (magical spells) and demonstrates them at the exit of the first threshold, to show that he is no longer a fish out of water. In Spartacus (1960), Spartacus learns the gladatorial arts and demonstrates them in the battle for the senator. In The Godfather (1960), Michael sits in with Sonny and Tom, learns the going on in the Don's office, learns how to use a gun, kill a man and cook from Clemenza.

Three Sided Love

If they love triangles aren't welcome in real life then why do writers welcome them in stories?

Writing - Use Obituaries for Developing Your Characters

Obituaries can be an endless source of inspiration and ideas for developing new fiction characters or putting a polish on the already developed ones. Besides, I always find it interesting to read the life stories of people I've never met; people who have led interesting lives and did their own thing.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 2)

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)- Hero's Journey- Private World

When the detective hero is at home (a rented apartment), it is often dark, the fridge is empty and people only visit when the agenda is related to his current assignment. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), only Tom, the Lieutenant and Femme Fatale visit.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Femme Fatale

One day a very attractive, moneyed female client walks into the detective hero's office. She is every man's dream and knows it; she leaves all competitors in her wake, including the secretary, who may (later on in the story) ask the hero whether he will marry her. She and the secretary may bond or not. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Precious tells Sam she's a knockout.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Detective Genre- Inciting Incident

The femme fatale client will enter the hero detective's office and mention that he was recommended to her. She will spin a yarn. The female client requires that the hero find someone. It will seem like a trivial task, but there will be warnings of danger. Some action will demonstrate that the female client is being liberal with the truth. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), O'Shaughnessy spins her story.

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

The detective hero continues to make explicit to the female client that he is working for her and will protect her. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam comforts O'Shaugnessey.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Catharsis 2

The detective hero's deceit causes the antagonist(s) to reveal the femme fatale's part in the crime. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), the Fat Man reveals how O'Shaugnessey was involved.

Curiosity & Imagination - Essential Writers' Tools

It's hard to imagine how or why one might choose to be a writer, especially a freelance writer, without this trait. What would be the incentive, if not to absorb information and reconfigure it in a way that others can enjoy and absorb it as well? Without it, this chosen way of life becomes merely a job - a way to earn a living - and for most of us that's not what it's about.

Interview with Author David Keck, Part Two

I interviewed David Keck, author of In the Eye of Heaven. He gives wonderful advice on writing and a look at the publishing process. This is part 2 of 3, addressing his book.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rebirth through Death

The Night Sea Journey leads the Hero towards the Rebirth Experience. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis recounts the death he saw as a kid.

Trust The Creative Writing Process

Creativity is a mysterious process. When I first began to write, the miracle of starting with nothing and ending up with pages of coherent copy were a mystery to me. I knew only that, when I sat down at my little electric portable, something magical happened; but I didn't know where the magic came from. Eventually, however, I was able to break it down into five critical steps.

Why Write a Play?

For the writer, there is a wonderful sense of achievement and power - that power being the ability to unleash the emotions of the audience and create a unique experience.