188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Hero's Journey- Loyal Ally

The detective hero has a loyal secretary, who is secretly attracted to him. She is attractive, but not overly so. Perhaps they have had an affair in the past. He takes her for granted. She is a metaphor for hope – he is repulsed by the deviousness of nearly every other woman he meets. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Spade has Precious.

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.

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 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.

Three Sided Love

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

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): Period of Magic Spells

The Fish out of Water is a benchmark phase that occurs in, amongst other places, the First Threshold. There are two stages - The before and the after. The before-stage demonstrates the hero in his (or her) devolved state. This is where the hero is out of his (or her) depth. The after-stage demonstrates evolution. In between, a period of training or changing must be undergone (metaphorically known as the Period of Magical Spells).

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.

Theme In Fiction: So Different From Non-fiction

Theme enriches and inspires the reader while saying something profound about the human condition. An experienced author does not pronounce what his theme is about inside his story.

Have You Got a Book In You?

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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): Confidence In The Hero

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, that allies (and enemies) notice that there is something to this hero, see the demonstration of the new self and begin to like it. This is often where the shape shifter, himself (or herself) in a period of dissonance, makes up his (or her) mind.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Unbearable 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. An Unbearable Antagonism pushes the hero to the stage of the Inner Resolve. In Straw Dogs (1971), David is surprised that Amy really doesn't care....but he does...and keeps Henry in the house.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Antihero: Belly of the Whale

Heroes and antiheroes are pushed to the Belly of the Whale. The antihero, fresh from his success in the first threshold and the prize that comes with having completed the trivial task, forces a surprised shape shifter to introduce him to the demon king.