Ant 293-313

Leslie Navarrete Analytical and Persuasive Writing 11/18/08
Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd ed. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. 293-313
Summary:
The last two chapters that we read dealt with the writer journey and the importance of wishing. The writer’s journey is similar to the hero’s journey because of the obstacles and the tests both individuals are put through. A writer confronts his or her shadows, which may be low- self esteem or confusion. A writer also faces the threshold guardian that might be a deadline, computer problems etc. At the end of the journey the writer learns from his or journey. Also Volger speaks about the importance of words and their effects on humanity. How words can heal or hurt an individual. For example: if one hears “great job”; a relief and happy emotion comes across. Yet, if someone says to an individual “you sucked”; an emotion of sadness would come across. As one can see words are magical just like Volger states.

Still pertaining to writers; Volger states that the writers are like shamans; writers have the ability to create spells, heal, hurt, and distribute wisdom. A writer is able to travel just like a shaman and create without a foundation. A write creates his or her own foundation and teaches morals and values just like a shaman. The power of wishing is giving by the writer, who is the shaman. The writer grants the hero in the story and the audiences’ wishes. Wishing in scripts are what become a hero’s goal, which then begins the call to adventure. Wishing are desires and wants; over the course of the hero’s journey the protagonist will be able to realize what he or she really needs and goes after that particular goal. This cycle ( NOBA) also correlates with reality. We tend to wish for a lot of things, but then we finally realize what is essential and pursue it. The cycle of wishing and goals helps unfold are identity and our true attributes. The NOBA cycle exposes that stories are alive because they are related to everyday situation or dreams. Stories, movies, etc prophesizes the future and allow the audience to see the final creations. Volger states how during the wish cycle audiences become involved in it. Audiences wish when a villain hurts the good guy and when the audiences’ wishes are not granted they considered the movies a bad one.

These two chapters brought awareness to the ability of both the writer and the audience; how these two help create an unforgettable movie or story. Volger exposed the true call of adventure happens with a wish and desire to win. During the course of the journey the hero realizes what is important and that self sacrifices himself or herself for the good of humanity. Just with a simple wish so much is given and exposed. A hero transforms into a mentor at the end of the journey.

Reaction:
I loved how Volger expresses his thoughts on writing and the beauty writing creates. Writing is a very difficult journey for me and that is a reason why I joined this class. I am very self-conscious about my writing and overall my English. I learned though, that there are many allies that are willing to help me through my writer’s journey and at the end I will achieve my dreams! Anther topic that Volger spoke about was the wish factor in stories.

I never realized how wishing was the center of the hero’s journey; that sparks that is need to go on the call to adventure. Wishing is pivotal even in the real would because after wishing an individual realizes what he or she really needs and goes after it. It is dumbfounding how wishes transform into goals and finally are reality. Movies allow us to see the future if we choose certain paths; movies takes us to the future and reveals who we are. I really enjoyed reading Volger; he allowed me too see the world in general in a different perceptive.

Questions:
1. Do you feel that the audiences wishes always come true in a script? If not, in what movies were the audiences’ wishes not granted

2. Do you feel scripts follow the hero’s journey a little bit too much? If so, what can help change the guideline routine?

3. As a writer was are your shadows and threshold guardians?

4. Do you believe everyone goes through the same shadows and tests etc as you? (Pertaining to writing)