188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Foreshadow of the Rebirth

It is the Foreshadow of the Rebirth (previous to the Near Death Experience) where chalenges and a change in response to them is made explicit. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy doesn't want to hide in the study with him anymore.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): The Antagonism is, Ultimately, the Hero's own id

The Oracle's job is to send the Hero toward that place where he can retrieve the tangible representation of the Expansion of Consciousness. The Oracle has, perhaps, the capability to defeat the Antagonism but this is really for the Hero, as the Antagonism is ultimately the Hero's own id. In Straw Dogs (1971), Charlie asks David to go hunting; he agrees.

Fiction Writing: Why You Should Get A Good Agent

There is no doubt that getting a good agent can have a significant impact on your literary career. There is also no doubt that a bad agent can have an impact too - but not the kind you want. Any agent that you may contact must feel 'right' for you in the first place or the chances are good that the relationship will at best be strained and at worst be useless to you. To help you decide, we'll examine what a good agent should do for you - and what you shouldn't expect them to do for you.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Using the Magical Gifts

With the giving of Magical Gifts (that will aid the Hero's Journey and help overcome obstacles) comes instruction in their use. In Straw Dogs (1971), Norman tells David to break the gun.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Magic Flight

The magic flight, supernatural in nature [In Straw Dogs (1971), Henry runs in the fog], is often, but not necessarily centred around escape. In Straw Dogs (1971), Henry runs from Tom et al.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Resistance to the Return

A common characteristic of the Crossing of the Return Threshold is the resistance to it. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy doesn't want Henry in the house.

Writers - How To Be Published More Often

How writers can increase their chances of being published.

Writing Picture Books for Children

How do go about writing Picture Books for children? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published children's books spills the beans.

8 Tips for Writing Flash Fiction

What is flash fiction? Depends on who you ask. Some feel a story is flash fiction if it is under 1000 words. Others feel it must be under 500 words to be in that category. Regardless of which one you believe, flash fiction is fun to write.

Internet Snake Oil

Don't let the internet scare you! It's the fear of the new and different which makes it seem so daunting. You have been selling ever since the moment of your birth. Nothing changes, you just package your talents a little differently for the web. With good writing skills you can equal the best.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero and the First Threshold

It is often a shape shifter who sends the antihero to the first threshold. It is a place that even the antihero fears. There is a (seemingly trivial) task to perform there, but it is in reality dangerous and one from which he will likely not survive. In Scarface (1983), Omar sends Tony to meet the Colombians.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Final Conflict: surrender

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. During the initial stages, the hero seems weak and the likelihood of victory is small. Allies (dark allies, doves etc) may push the hero to surrender. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy wants David to give Henry to Tom et al.

How To Make Money With Freelance Writing Opportunities

If you love to write and you want to earn money from home, then freelance writing is the ideal way to make money for you. The internet is a made of information, millions of people over the world use the internet looking for solutions to their problems and answers to their questions. If you can provide the solutions and the answers they want in 200 to 1000 words, then you can easily make money writing.

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.