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): Pre The Hand-To-Hand Battle

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. It is post the initial catharses and the increases antagonism that the hero often demonstrates calmness and confidence. This is illustrated in many ways. In Straw Dogs (1971), David fixes his glasses and plays music, disconcerting his enemies.

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

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. It is post the initial catharses and the returning confidence of allies, that the antagonist's threat increases. This is often the point of a hand-to-hand battle. In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom tries, for the first time, to shoot the door down.

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

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 this stage, it is post the letting go of the old self that the hero begins to command the situation and incrementally defeat each antagonist, one by one. In Straw Dogs (1971), following further antagonism, David takes out Norman, then Henry. throws the liquid at Tom et al.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero and Shape Shifter

Whereas the hero encounters a shape shifter that often turns from good to bad, the antihero encounters the opposite. It is not unusual for the antihero to encounter a shape shifter that has authority over him and who is, as is normal, a close associate of the main antagonist (demon king). As is normal, these two characters immediately conflict. In Scarface (1983), Tony meets Omar.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero: Supernatural Aid's character

Before entry into the New World (wherein lies the Elixir), the Supernatural Aid's character will be developed. He (or she) will have some deviant personality attribute that differentiates him from the antihero. Often this will be some vice that especially attracts the supernatural aid to the treasure (that the antihero will later retrieve), the point being that this is what will cause an alienation between the characters at a later stage of the story. In Scarface (1983), Manny likes girls and will later like Gina.

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.

Start Your Children's Writing Career Today

Do you want to write children's books for a living? Why not start now? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published children's books shows you how.

Making Your Fiction Writing Sparkle

What do you need to get your books published? What do publishers want? Robyn Opie, author of 61 published books tells you exactly what you need to do to make your fiction sparkle - and why.

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): Antihero's Journey to a New World

The antihero journeys to his new world (a new physical or psychological domain), where he believes his desires will be met (where he will find the Elixir). Dark allies, most often a loyal ally, will accompany him on the journey.

Finding Prompts to Inspire Your Stories

Sometimes a story idea just hits a writer. An idea pops into your mind and you are off and writing. Other times, you are not so lucky. You sit at your desk and wonder what you will write today. Prompts are a wonderful way to jumpstart your writing. You may be wondering where you can find your own muse-inspiring writing prompts in the real-world.

Writing for Profits Online

Writing for profits online is so very exciting. I enjoy doing it, and there are many others online who enjoy it, too. But I think that there is both an art and a science to writing for profits online. I think that there is in a sense a formula to making it work, and I think that there is an underlying art to writing for profits online.

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.