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): 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.

Have You Got a Book In You?

You'd be amazed at the number of people who want to be writers. Are you one of them? What's holding you back? Come with me to learn how to make the book in you a reality!

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.

Writing - Use Obituaries for Developing Your Characters

Obituaries can be an endless source of inspiration and ideas for developing new fiction characters or putting a polish on the already developed ones. Besides, I always find it interesting to read the life stories of people I've never met; people who have led interesting lives and did their own thing.

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.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 3)

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.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 6)

In writing my novel I learned 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.

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.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Femme Fatale

One day a very attractive, moneyed female client walks into the detective hero's office. She is every man's dream and knows it; she leaves all competitors in her wake, including the secretary, who may (later on in the story) ask the hero whether he will marry her. She and the secretary may bond or not. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Precious tells Sam she's a knockout.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Hero's Journey- First Threshold Guardians

The detective hero arrives at the scene of the crime and must pass low ranking police officers, who are unaware of his status. However, he is familiar with higher-ranking detectives and they facilitate his entry. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam only gets past the police officer because he knows Tom.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Apotheosis

The detective hero realises the true nature and value of the treasure. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Fat Man tells Sam all about the Falcon.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Refusal

The detective hero refuses to give the treasure up easily. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Sam goes to the meeting without the Falcon.

Curiosity & Imagination - Essential Writers' Tools

It's hard to imagine how or why one might choose to be a writer, especially a freelance writer, without this trait. What would be the incentive, if not to absorb information and reconfigure it in a way that others can enjoy and absorb it as well? Without it, this chosen way of life becomes merely a job - a way to earn a living - and for most of us that's not what it's about.