Writing Inrochester

The Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.

and more…

ABRIDGED TIP(S):

*****First Trial Inner Cave - Polarization*****

A number of things happen in the Inner Cave of the First Trial. One element is Polarization. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie and Blanche argue.

*****Antiheroes in the Final Conflict - Devolution*****

Heroes evolve and Antiheroes devolve. During the Final Conflict, devolution is expressed in a number of ways. For example, In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), the papers say that Clyde left his brother. This is not how he wants to be remembered.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/

The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at managing-creativity.com/ managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

No matter what subject you write on, there will be some research involved. Your opinion is the first step. Backing up your ideas with facts is the second step.

You can do the vast majority of your research online if the topic you have chosen is outside the company expertise. Online tools such as Google.com, Clusty.com, or Dogpile.com are a great place to start. However, using the correct searching techniques will make the difference between getting a great deal of information and getting a scant few.

Google.com provides a great cheat sheet for using advanced searching techniques. Go to google.com/help/cheatsheet.html then print out this valuable resource.

To make sure your search hits are up-to-date use the year in your search. For example: 2004..2006 will give you articles from the year 2004 up to this year. If you are looking for exact phrases put the phrase in quotation marks such as “VP Marketing” or “SL500 Lens”.

When you click on any of the links, check for the validity of the information. What is the source of the article, who wrote it, what is their expertise, or what other resources do they mention. Do not use internet results as the sole basis of your research, check other sources as well. You want your writing to reflect more than just opinions, you want the facts.

You can do more research using Amazon.com. Search for book titles on the target subject matter to get a list of recent publications. If any of the books are using the “Look Inside” feature, you will be able to scan the table of contents for relevant topics and even read the first few pages of the book – particularly the introduction. The Introduction will often give you a clue as to why the book was written and the target audience information. Other pertinent information about the book will be revealed by the popularity of the book and any reviews it may have received. This is all valuable when trying to discover relevance to your topic.

Having coffee at Borders or Barnes &amp Noble is also good. These book stores will allow you to skim through print publications while sitting in their coffee shops. This is a great way to research topics by skimming multiple books on the subject. This is even better than most libraries as the publications in bookstores are recently published. If you want to look at older versions, then head off to the library.

As time is often short, I most often rely on the Internet and Amazon Table of Contents to get most of my information. If books look like they give me the background I need, I simply buy the book.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people’s attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the “Networking Queen”. Blueprints for Success - Networking: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprints for Success Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2006. For more information visit BlueprintBooks.com BlueprintBooks.com.

You need sales to pay the bills. If you don’t know how to write your copy for advertisements, commercials, press releases, brochures, etc. Your business will suffer. And probably you will close your doors soon! Copywriting is selling in print. If you can’t write you can’t sell. Period.

Chances are copywriting is a learnable skill like any other skills. The more you learn and practice the more successful you’ll become.

Look around and you will see that most successful online marketers are copywriters. Or, at least they write their own ad copies. If you find that you’re a good writer, the only nuance is that you must learn how to write in a way that sells.

Copywriting is not easy to learn and it is a lifetime topic, which you will continue to improve at if you work at it. Here’s what one of the best copywriters Stephen King said about copywriting “copywriting; really writing in general, is a subject that you continue to improve on. It would be similar to lifting weights for 10 years. You will develop muscles. If you write every day for a certain period of time, you will develop writing skills to the point where you become a very good writer. If you focus on copywriting and write everyday, you will become a very good copywriter.”

If you want to teach yourself copywriting, the first book you must read is The Copywriter’s Handbook. This is a must have ebook for any serious marketer who wants understand the underlying principles leading to higher levels of success and achievement in copywriter. It will give you an introduction into copywriting as well as learning what it will take to write the different types of ad copies. Copywriting is a very broad field in that what you write could be anything from direct mail to Web content to public relations materials, etc…

Another great book, you must look into, is simply called Copywriting. This book is a little different. It explains both what it takes to be a copywriter as well as what you need to develop ideas and structure copy. This is a more original book that focuses on what you need to do as opposed to explaining the different types of advertising like the first book did.

Look for these books in your local library. If you cannot find them, search for copywriting lessons and tutorials at Google. Visit forums and ask questions about writing and you will find plenty of information and resources. If you look online, you can find a great deal of websites, which will offer you free tutorials on how to write good copy.

Copywriting is probably the most critical skill when you are looking to start a website because your written words are going to be the engine which drives your online sales. You can have all the flashy graphics and animation that you want, but if there’s no content, if you can’t write persuasive ad copies, your website visitors will click away to a competitor that has a compelling sales letter and buy. It is marketers who write sales letters that sell who have the greatest success.

Copywriting is precious skill to have! Sure, you can pay someone to write your copies if you wish, but no copywriter can understand your targeted market better than you, and no one can write in an enthusiastic manner that cause your potential clients to buy your product better than you.

Copywriting is one of the most essential elements of effective online marketing. Whether you’re looking to sell something or to start and run a copywriting business.

Teach yourself copywriting and you will be surprised how simple it is to learn once you dive into it.

Copywriting is a skill, which takes determination and a want to keep on learning due to the sheer volume of information on the subject matter. It’s an exciting subject because you can always learn something new that can help you progress step by step in the direction of becoming a famous copywriter. The more you write, the more your writing will improve, the more money you make.

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which provides tips for writing killer ad copy that sells!

Apart from the importance of creative copy, a successful flyer should be drafted using the AIDA formula.

1. Grab the ATTENTION of your audience
2. Hold their INTEREST
3. Arouse a DESIRE for them to respond, and
4. Push them to take positive ACTION

1. Grab the ATTENTION of your audience
The first, and arguably the most important thing, is the headline.

Example:

“AGSORB - THE MOST EFFECTIVE NON-TOXIC, NON-ABRASIVE, OIL ABSORBENT ON THE PLANET!”

This headline grabs the audience’s attention. It’s short and snappy and succeeds by making a bold statement right upfront. Your audience should now want to know more.

Generally speaking, a successful headline will be one that persuades your audience to read on in the belief that your product or service may solve their problem or be of benefit to them.

2. Hold their INTEREST
Okay, your headline has grabbed them and now they’re focusing on the nitty-gritty of your message. The tricky part here is to keep their interest so they don’t toss your flyer into the bin before finishing. Choose every word carefully and ensure that each of your sentences is clear, effective and error-free.
Example:

“Its powerful wicking action absorbs hydrocarbons quickly. It requires no “high-tech” application or equipment and leaves no messy residue behind after extraction.”

Truth coupled with sincerity and enthusiasm is a key factor. Avoid making exaggerated claims. The sentence above is a powerful motivator - you’re telling the audience in a sincere and positive way what the product does and how easy it is to use.

‘Testimonials’ can also be very powerful. They let your audience know someone else has used the product and that its claims are genuine.

Example:
“Here’s what SP, tool-hire manager for the well-known UK chain, TPR, had to say about Agsorb.
‘Things always seem to happen in three’s. Recently we experienced a nasty hydraulic oil spill, a workshop floor flooded with engine oil and a messy petrol spill. ChemSol suggested we use Agsorb and in no time at all, the application, which is easily applied, soaked up all three of these spillages. We now keep a supply in case of similar mishaps.’”

Write in a conversational manner and avoid long words and long sentences. Make your message personal so your audience doesn’t feel like you’re talking to thousands of others. Something like the sentence below works well.

Example:
“We’re offering you, our valued customer, a fantastic 30-day discount price you’ll find hard to refuse!”
In addition, concentrate on the money-, labour-, and time-saving benefits of your product instead of on fancy features.

Example:
“It’s lightweight for easy handling and low transportation costs and is non-harmful to machinery and equipment”

“….. and in no time at all, the application, which is easily applied, soaked up all three of these spillages.”

3. Arouse a DESIRE for them to respond
You now need to convert your audiences’ interest into a strong desire to buy. To do this you must concentrate on ‘product benefits.’

Example:
“Agsorb is non-toxic and safe to use. This versatile product absorbs a wide range of organic chemicals on land and in water. It’s lightweight for easy handling and low transportation costs.”

Done correctly and effectively, your sales flyer copy should, by now, have your audience ready and waiting to place their orders.

4. Push them to take positive ACTION
Now include a direct, clear, and unambiguous ‘call to action.’ This may seem obvious but it’s amazing how many people forget this crucial element.

Example:
“Agsorb, packed in 25 litre containers, is normally priced at £76-25 plus vat. But if you order in the next 30 days, we’ll let you have a 25 litre container for just £56-00 plus vat…. including FREE delivery.
To place your orders, please phone Julie today on ……”

A sense of urgency is a good thing. By strongly suggesting that they should respond now, you’re motivating them to act in the moment, without delay. In addition, any offer of a bonus or discount will help generate a positive response. The example below is a good one.

Example:
“And if you order more than one container, the price gets even better at just £52-00 plus vat… once again we’ll throw in delivery, FREE of charge.

Remember, if you’re not completely satisfied with the results of Agsorb, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked!”

There you have it… A I D A
ATTENTION, INTEREST, DESIRE, ACTION
Four terrific ways to write a great sales flyer.

Phil McCumskey is over 50, bow-legged and dribbles down his chin! His mum and dad are English but he was born in South Africa and like a swallow he flips back and forth. His background is sales and marketing but for the last fifteen years or so he’s been a philcopywriter.co.uk freelance copywriter. He’s written copy for radio and print ads, newsletters, speeches, flyers, brochures and philcopywriter.co.uk website content

When is the last time you picked up and read a newspaper?

Can you remember it?

For some of us, it wasn’t that long ago. Can you remember anything about the paper the last time you looked at it?

If you can’t remember anything, take a quick look at a newspaper right now…

What is the first thing you notice?

The first thing you notice is the headline.

Headlines are most important element in the newspaper. Why? Because there is a lot of content in that paper and those headlines grab the reader’s attention and draw them into the meat of the articles.

Can you image what a newspaper would be like if it didn’t have any headlines?

It would be basically unreadable.

A tremendous mistake I see so many small businesses make when they are actually engaging in advertising is not using a headline.

Some small businesses get really creative and use their name for the headline of their ad. This little trick is really prevalent in the yellow pages.

YOUR BUSINESS NAME IS NOT A HEADLINE.

Who really cares about your company name? – Other than you, that is.

The absence of headlines and using your name as the headline of an ad are two HUGE and costly advertising mistakes that most small businesses make and they both can be easily avoided.

Think of a headline as an advertisement for your advertisement.

Your headline should get the reader’s attention so they read the next line of copy in your ad.

Every ad you run needs to have a powerful headline that engages your prospect, creates curiosity and delivers an overwhelming benefit for continuing to read your ad. Using your Gravitational Proposition or an irresistible offer is a great thing to use as a headline of your advertisement.

Above I mentioned yellow pages ads and using headlines. When I mention using powerful headlines to small businesses owners in their yellow pages ads they look at me like I have 10 heads.

If you look through the phone book, you’ll be lucky if you see an ad with a headline that isn’t the companies name or some cheesy slogan.

Do you know the reason why?

All the ads are done by the yellow pages art department.

And the fact that no one else has a powerful headline is all the more reason you should. You’ll kill the competition and dominate your heading.

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller are the authors of “The Ten Tall Tales Of Traditional Advertising That Cost You Tons” and their newest release, “The Small Business Owner’s Guide To The Galaxy: Jim & Travis’s Super-Stellar, Out Of This World, Step-By-Step Guide To Generating Leads, Attracting Customers and Making Sales.” Get FREE small business marketing tips, shortcuts and secrets - RIGHT NOW - at GravitationalMarketing.com GravitationalMarketing.com

Writing an article doesn’t neccessary mean putting down thoughts into words then typing it. You need to interest and intrigue readers to read your article.

For getting your message across, you really need to attract the attention of the reader, arouse their curiosity and most importantly, maintain their interest.

The most important factor in writing an article is an endless flow of creativity.

Creativity may come natural to some people, most just get into a mental block whenever they try to start writing an article. It just seems impossible to get their creative juices flowing when they most need it.

Turning words into images in the reader’s mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction requires a certain flair that only creativity can provide. The use of similes and metaphors in articles can help a lot and should be used when possible.

What do you have to do when nothing comes to mind?

There is no one surefire way that turns you into a great writer but there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing.

No one can guarantee you of having the perfect mindset but many methods may aid you in achieving that state of mind. Here are five easy ways for that.

1. Always have a note book or journal with you to take note. With modern technolgy, a PDA or pocket PC is great for this purpose too. Ideas can be triggered by anything that happens around you. Your senses would be your radar in finding great ideas. Record them down in the form of notes and keep it with you for future reference. You may also consider noting down anything that you have read or heard. someone else’s ideas could possibly be used to develop or spawn off your own ideas and this is not stealing.

Keep in mind that ideas and creativity can come from just about anywhere; it’s the development of the idea that makes it unique.

2. Take time to relax. A confused mind cannot possibly come up with new ideas. Having a clear mind is important for creativity to flow efficiently and effectively.

Get rid of all distractions that can possibly hinder your creativity. You cannot force your mind to stay focused if your mind is bothered or troubled by something else.

Try to relax every time that you can and think about your experiences and interactions with others. Your experiences are what shape your mindset and your opinions which could be reflected on your writings. Try to discover yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what ticks you off. You can use these emotions to help you in expressing yourself and your ideas, with this you can grow creatively.

3. Create a working place that inspires your creativity. Your working place can be quite a hindrance if it doesn’t make you feel happy or relaxed. Creativity comes from being in a good state of mind and a messed up workplace that causes distraction won’t be conducive in firing up your creative flow.

Surround your working place with objects that makes you happy and relaxed. Putting up pictures, or scents, objects that inspire can get your creativeness cranking. A clean and well organized workplace also rids of distractions and unwanted hindrances.

4. Set the mood. Setting the mood requires you to just go with the moment or to induce your self to feeling what makes your mind works best. Finding out what makes you tick could help you find ways to get your creative juices flowing.

There are many ways to set the mood. Some like some mood music while others let the lighting of the environment create the mood.

5. Going on a getaway or just do something out of the ordinary. Letting yourself go and have fun produces adrenaline that can make your imagination go wild.

Any activity that is unusual from your daily routine can take the rut out of your schedule.

In no time at all, your creativeness will make use of that experience and get your imagination to go on overdrive.

Jo Han Mok is a frequent guest and featured speaker at Internet Marketing bootcamps and conferences on subjects such as copywriting and Joint Venture Marketing.

Visit his website to find out how he can help you turn mere words into cash!
MasterWordsmith.com MasterWordsmith.com

Everybody knows that can be one of the most fantastic experiences you can have in your life.

Three days ago, one of my students came back from a memorable, intensive course to learn Italian in Florence.

We crossed each other on campus while I was walking to teach a Level I class. She was radiant and fashionably dressed in unmistakably Italian clothes. Claudia, in her forties, looked ten years younger.

With curiosity, I asked her how it went in Italy. I have to clarify here that she took all three Italian levels that I teach at the University of Houston in the Accelerated Foreign Language Program. And that she was ready and confident to study for two weeks in Florence in a “total immersion” program designed for learning and practicing Italian day and night.

She started to tell me what an incredible time she had. Unfortunately, we could only chat in fluent Italian for a few minutes before I had to get to class. We agreed to meet again so she could tell me more of her adventures in this famous Italian city.

Yesterday we finally had the opportunity to lunch together, and she gave me a good overview of her experience in Florence. I appreciated her new Italian accent. It was outstanding and well above my expectations.

I have already experienced several methodologies used to ease students into absorbing and integrating a new language, but I was fascinated by her enthusiasm for the way it is done at her school in Florence. With her eagerness and my curiosity, we could have talked for hours and hours.

The course in Italy is designed to integrate fun and exciting adventures into the learning process. Shopping, dancing, eating and discovering unique parts of the city are all activities in a well-designed program. I was admiring the creators of the course for their capability to combine study and everyday life in such an impeccable, harmonious balance.

Italians are known for being great teachers. Creativity and beauty make them famous all around the world. On top of that, the charming environment of Florence and the Italian people themselves make, without a doubt, learning an unforgettable experience.

Here in Houston at the Accelerated Foreign Language Department, we use a unique way to learn new languages that is ideally suited to adult learners. This method employs the best teaching practices with whole-brain learning theory to maximize each individual’s learning style. Our system is a combination of accelerated “tools” where we recreate the way Italians learn to speak naturally from the time they are born. We try to make the student feel like they are actually in Italy.

In Italy, the method is similar, but with the great advantage that there is no need to recreate being in Italy. You are in Italy. And all around you, everyone speaks Italian, from teachers and staff to neighbors and shopkeepers.

The experience is real and complete. And…very effective.

Sergio Tamburri
Italian Instructor
Accelerated Foreign Language Department
University of Houston
learn-italian-now.com Learn Italian Now!

Writing articles for online newsletters and websites can be a low cost, effective and powerful way of marketing yourself to new clients.

Writing for the Web, however, is quite different from writing for other formats. For example readers tend to scan texts more. Often one search can uncover a number of relevant or not relevant articles instantly. The reader must then sift through and find the appropriate ones quickly, offering little time to actually read your article unless it passes the initial scan.

If you want to make the most of the opportunities the Internet provides, here are 12 tips on writing articles for the net:

1. Turn your knowledge into articles.

Take your unique experiences and ideas as an expert in your field and turn them into at least 10 articles. Brainstorm 10 different topics you could confidently speak or write about based on your hard won knowledge. These topics may not be related but will give you a better idea on areas you are confident on writing on.

2. Start with an informal outline of the main points.

The hardest thing about writing articles for the net is getting started! Use a blank piece of paper and a mindmap to work out key themes and points. Add detail later. Sometimes several articles will come from one brainstorm as you identify linking themes or different angles to take on a subject.

3. Research websites.

Look for websites or e-newsletters that are content hungry and will publish articles by others. Target sites matching your target audience and tailor your article to suit that audience.

4. Clarify the logistics.

Contact the editor and clarify the length, style and how much promotional material you can use in your articles. Length will vary from 200 to 2,000 words, with between 400 and 800 words being most common. Often the editor will erase any information from your articles, promotional or otherwise, if it does not fall within the boundaries of the site. It is best to know your limits to avoid having articles taken apart by another party or not posted on the site at all.

5. Keep it short, keep it simple and keep it active.

Remember people don’t read computer screens they scan them. Keep your writing style simple and active. Use an active rather than passive writing style. This all starts with the subject line. When a recipient or scanner sees your subject line, you will have their attention for about 2 seconds. Make every second count. After the heading use short
sentences and bullet points to keep concepts simple.

6. Use a Dictaphone or voice recognition software.

If you are really busy, use a Dictaphone or other technology to get your thoughts down. I have found this a great way to get articles written during those times you are traditionally not very productive. Use a virtual assistant or ghost writer to actually write the article.
Remember it is your ideas and experience readers want, they don’t care how the ideas get from your head onto the computer screen. Focus on high value work.

7. Provide solid, practical advice.

Avoid waffle and useless, irrelevant information. Focus on practical tips and ideas. Use dot points and numbering. Make your article as easy to read as possible

8. Personalise.

Use personal stories, metaphors or examples to highlight key points. They make intangible ideas more real.

9. Customise.

Tailor your articles for key targets - for example engineers, scientists or accountants. This includes adapting language, using relevant examples and taking new angles on a subject so the market can relate to it.

10. Timing.

Timing is everything for news and e-newsletters are no different. Use news events or seasonal angles to make your material more relevant. For example we had great feedback from an article on goal setting in January because this is a great month for planning the year ahead.

11. Be proactive.

Always spend time writing articles. It is money well spent and far more credible than advertising.

12. Use links and provide contact details.

Always provide a link back to your website and summary details on your background and how people can contact you.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.
You can subscribe by visiting 8mmedia.com 8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at 6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom’s blog at 8mmedia.blogspot.com 8mmedia.blogspot.com

One subject arising whenever writers gather to discuss their craft is the mining of life itself for story material. While a vital and important technique, it is important to remember that real human beings are impossibly complex, far too complicated to serve as story characters without major modification. The most complex character in all of western fiction (arguably), Hamlet, is still only 1% as complex as a real human being.

One must remember that there is a unity between character and plot: they are, in essence, two sides of a single coin. Plot is what a character does in a given situation. A plot must empty a character out, give us everything we need to know about the lead, or the story situation hasn’t been thought through very well.

In life, it is reasonable to take the position that we are what we do. True, this is not ALL that we are, but what we do is closer to this essence than what we “think” we are, or what others define us as. Everyone knows that we judge each other on our actions, and it is childish to pretend otherwise.

We learn to characterize by formulating a theory of human nature, and then testing it against the people around us–our family and friends. You should be prepared to defend this theory in conversation and literary debate. After all, there are only two basic questions being addressed in all of fiction:

1) What is it to be human?

2) What is the ethical structure of the universe?

Whatever your own theory is, you should understand it from every direction, and be able to apply it to understand your own strengths and weaknesses.

Look at the three major areas of human life: body, mind, and spirit. What does your body say about you? Believe me, it says worlds about your values, discipline, emotional health, habit patterns and more. What does your career say about you? Are you operating at full efficiency there? Do you complain about money troubles, but not do anything about it? Do you dream, but not perform? Or are you working at a job that you would continue to do even if you won the lottery? To me, this is a major sign of an active, healthy intellect–the ability to do for a living that which you would do for free.

What about your relationship with your husband/wife/significant other? To me, this is where you reveal yourself most clearly. You ARE your partner, flipped upside-down and inside out. If you like what you see across the breakfast table from you, great. If not, you have work to do. Remember: whoever you see over there was the best you could do. If you could have gotten someone smarter, handsomer/prettier, emotionally healthier–you would have. So take a hard look. Often, you can learn more from a person’s partner than you can from meeting the person.

Viewed in this way, there is a lifetime of study in understanding the people around us, and in understanding ourselves as well. And a lifetime of potential stories in examining how people’s flaws and gaps keep them from achieving their full potential. It can be painful to look at this stuff, but the only thing even more painful is being terminally untrue to your own spirit. That, my friends, is a true tragedy. Better the pain of awareness than the agony of self-betrayal. By a long shot.

Steven Barnes is a NY Times bestselling novelist. He wrote the Emmy-winning “A Stitch In Time” episode of the Outer Limits. He created the Lifewriting™ high-performance system for writers and readers. Get a FREE daily writing tip at: lifewriting.biz lifewriting.biz and lifewrite.com lifewrite.com

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters at www.managing-creativity.com/

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Sample Movie Deconstructed: French Connection (1971)

FADE IN: Meeting the Antagonist’s Lieutenant: Pierre shoots the French cop.

Meeting the Hero: Popeye dressed up as Santa.

Hero’s Ordinary World: Brooklyn.

Meeting the Loyal Ally: Buddy ‘Cloudy’ Russo.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Popeye and Cloudy chase and interrogate the crook in the alley.

Developing the Antagonist: Alain arranges the shipment.

Antagonist’s Romantic Challenge / Foreshadow of the Journey: Alain meets his girlfriend; he’s going to America.

Developing Characters and Relationships: leaving the station; Popeye calls black people niggers; Buddy disagrees.

Meeting the Mentor: spotting Sal in the club.

Resistance to following the Mentor: Buddy doesn’t want to give Sal et al a tail.

Pulled to the First Threshold: Watching and following Sal.

Developing the Antagonist / Warning / Antagonist’s Lieutenant: Pierre thinks it is a mistake to involve Henri.

Mentor’s Backstory: Popeye and Buddy do a background check on Sal.

Creatures of the First Threshold: Weinstock; the other Mafiosi, Angie.

Pushing to the Physical Separation: Popeye shakes down the bar; meets his informant; learns about the shipment.

Obstacle to the Physical Separation: the Captain resists giving them a wire.

Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: Henri arrives; the shipment arrives; Alain and Pierre watch the shipment.

Preparing for the Physical Separation: Walt gives them the wire.

Meeting the Transformation Mentor: Mulderig doesn’t like Popeye.

Developing the Hero: Popeye meets and beds the girl on the bike.

Hero’s Ordinary World: Popeye’s apartment.

Developing the Antagonist: Alain buys cars in New York through Sal’s brother.

Physical Separation: listening into Sal; hearing the French voice.

Celebrating the Physical Separation: jumping for joy.

Resisting Transformation / Trial 1: Mulderig thinks this is small time.

Obstacle to Transformation / Trial 1: the traffic jam.

Trial / Transformation 1: following Sal; watching Sal meet Alain and Pierre following Pierre.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Popeye, Popeye and Mulderig in the car.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Sal and Weinstock test the heroine.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Sal and Weinstock argue Weinstock wants to take it slow’ Sal thinks Alain is one of the shrewdest guys he′s ever met.

Trial / Transformation 2: Alain knows he’s being tailed Alain loses Popeye.

Pushed to Trial 3: Sal is followed to Washington; Sal meets Alain; Sal wants more time; Alain wants to stick to his timetable; Alain and Pierre decide to kill Popeye.

Resisting Trial / Transformation 3: Walt takes them off special assignment.

Trial / Transformation 3: Pierre tries to kill Popeye. Pierre pursued; Popeye chases the train; Popeye kills Pierre.

Meeting the Oracle: Popeye and Cloudy are on Sal’s tail; Sal gets away at the car park with the car.

Deciding to Seize the Sword: that car is dirty; Popeye et al watch the car.

Guardians of the Sword: the guys just wanted to strip the tyres.

Foreshadow of the Near Death: Henri comes for the car.

Inner Chamber Obstacle: can’t find anything weight difference.

Seizing the Sword: stripping the panels and finding the heroine.

Near Death Experience: Henri takes the car from the compound.

Near Death Experience: Alain takes Henri to one side; Henri says goodbye.

Atonement with the Father: Alain takes the car to Sal et al and sells the drugs.

Apotheosis: Popeye et al are waiting.

Ultimate Boon: the police arrest Weinstock, Sal etc.

Magic Flight: Alain disappears.

Disgust: Popeye shoots Mulderig.

Freedom to Live: stills of the criminal’s sentences.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at managing-creativity.com/ managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at managing-creativity.com/ managing-creativity.com/