188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Book of Law

It is upon entry into the first threshold that the hero is taught the book of law. These are the rules that the hero must live by to survive in this world. In Scarface (1983), Frank tells Tony what to do to survive as a doper long term.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): The Act of Physical Separation

Throughout the First Threshold and sometimes the Belly of the Whale, the Hero is accompanied by a major First Threshold Guardian. The act of Physical Separation is where the hero rids himself of the major threshold guardian and is allowed to move onto the deeper transformation. In The Godfather (1972), it is the overcoming of Sollozo that allows Michael to travel to Sicily, where his old self will be dissolved away.

The Antagonist in Fiction: What Makes Him So Powerful

Drawing the character of the antagonist is an important part of fiction writing. The quality of any story is directly proportional to the quality of the antagonist.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Balance Lost

In every story, balance must be lost. Whether it is the antagonism stealing away the princess or the hero's inner challenge being expressed, there is imbalance that is initiated (and must ultimately be rectified). This is a very early, if not the first stage of the hero's journey and most often represents the Greater....

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.

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.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 4)

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.

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.

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

The detective hero's ordinary self will be made explicit. This will be a benchmark that will represent the hero's transformation as the story progresses. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Miles walks in. At this point, Spade shares an office with Miles; the evolution will be represented by his setting up alone.

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.

Building Romance in Stories

Romance is one of those things that is hard to define, yet you know it when you see it.

What Can I Write About?

Many authors simply do not know what to write about. This is a common theme in even experienced writers and can lead to stagnation and delay. It is easily dealt with, provided you take the correct approach. In reality, there are millions upon millions of different subjects that you can write upon, and there is no need to believe that you have no skills in interpreting the world around you. You just have to use them.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Magical Spells and Gifts

Magical Gift. This is often where a Magical Gift is used. In Star Wars (1977), Obi Wan uses his powers. In Jason and the Argonauts (1963), the Goddess uses one of her spells.