Three Concerns for Writers When Writing Fiction

An author should be unique in writing style, and should possess a voice that attracts readers and inspires them to want to seek out books that mimic yours, rather than leave them guessing for whom you take after. That said, there are a number of tics that readers (and editors) may find more annoying than amusing. In the spirit of previous articles on the subject of style, I hereby submit three more personal nitpicks of mine: devices and phrases I have seen in bestsellers and small press offerings. The following are not necessarily incorrect or improper, but may cause distraction if overused in a manuscript. Grab a pen and proceed with caution.

How To Write Fantasy Fiction

Writing Fantasy Fiction can be fun and rewarding. But where do you start?

Bigger-Than-Life Characters Create The Entertainment

Memorable characters make the movie, the novel, the play. Think of characters that you remember after five years. Ever wonder why?

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Resistance and Conflict to the Oracle

The Oracle will lead to an Expansion of Consciousness, which will separate the Hero from Ordinary Men. There is resistance to this from Enemies as well as Allies, hence conflict and separation are not unusual. In Straw Dogs (1971), David and Amy argue.

Natural Born Selling

Internet writing? There's no big secret, no magic formula, back to basics is all you need. Natural Born Selling, it's in your genes!

Your Writers' Blog: Easy Market Research And Much More

Blogging has gone mainstream. You'd think that writers, above all, would swoop onto blogging, because it's an easy way to get published instantly. There are many reasons writers should blog, and in 2007, blogging is a necessity for writers. Everybody and his grandmother is blogging. If you're a writer (or aspire to write) then blogging is a complete no-brainer.

How to Make Money Writing and Selling e-Books

Many successful infopreneurs generate a great deal of passive income selling information online. The most obvious advantage of being an infopreneur is the low overhead and high earning potential. Once you've written an e-Book, tele-seminar, e-course or other information product, it can be sold over and over again. It is even better than selling a traditional book because you do not have to print anything and you don’t have to jump through publisher hoops. The costs to produce a piece of information are the same whether you are selling to one person or to millions.

You are the Box Office Smash: The Personal Screenplay

Right this very second, in the heart of every struggling, undiscovered screenwriter, in the dark, hidden corner deep within, there is a voice, a clear whisper, saying one thing:

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Physical Wounds Representing the Transmogrification

Every good Hero is wounded as he begins his (or her) Journey. As that wound heals, so it represents the Hero's Transformation and Transmogrification from an Ordinary Self to a New Self.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): A Mirror of the Self

Symbolism is an underrated aspect of storytelling. A mirror is an often used symbol, that demonstrates the Hero's self analysis at the stage of the Ordinary World. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie look at herself in the mirror. In An Officer and a Gentleman (1983), Zach looks at himself in the mirror.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Rebirth

The Rebirth follows the Near Death Experience. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Jack and Lureen (everyone) are older (the parker sequence). Ennis and Alma are older too (Ennis forgets his fishing gear).

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Atonement with the Father

It is post the Rebirth through Death Experience that the Hero feels the need to then face the Inner Challenge - to Atone - to be At-One. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie wants to see her Mama.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Physical Change

It is during the First Threshold Outer Cave Trial that a physical change (most often a wound) is inflicted. This is where blood is most often seen. The wound is symbolic of the beginning of the Physical Transformation. As the woudn heals, so it represents the Hero's Changing. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), teh shopkeeper shoots Clyde.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Confronting but not Conquering the Inner Challenge

A pull or push of some sort will drive the Hero into the Inner Cave. This is where the Hero confronts (but does not conquer his Inner Challenge) hence it is not unusual to encounter resistances or obstacles to the Inner Cave. Again, resistance to change is natural. In City Slickers (1991), Mitch talks about being able to look at a Picasso but not take it off the wall.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth): Refusal (types of)

Stories are all about Transformation, but change is never easy, especially the Changing of the Self. The Hero resists the Call to Adventure and this can take various forms, including: