- September 17th, 2024, 11:41 am
#468057
This topic is about the September 2024 Philosophy Book of the Month, Zen and the Art of Writing: Publish Your First Book by Ray Hodgson
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In his book, Ray Hodgson explains the classic narrative structure known as 'the Hero’s Journey', famously outlined by Joseph Campbell. This storytelling framework was adapted by Susy Quinn into a more accessible 7-step process: “a call to adventure, a threshold to be passed, the guide, challenges and temptations, death, rebirth and revelations, transformation, and return changed.”
While this has been a reliable guide for many stories, especially in the fantasy genre, some argue that depending too much on this structure can limit creativity.
Should fantasy writers go along with this traditional structure to ground their narratives in familiar patterns, or should they take a more freestyle approach that defies conventions and allows for greater creative freedom?
Could sticking to 'the Hero’s Journey' make supernatural fantasy feel repetitive?
In his book, Ray Hodgson explains the classic narrative structure known as 'the Hero’s Journey', famously outlined by Joseph Campbell. This storytelling framework was adapted by Susy Quinn into a more accessible 7-step process: “a call to adventure, a threshold to be passed, the guide, challenges and temptations, death, rebirth and revelations, transformation, and return changed.”
While this has been a reliable guide for many stories, especially in the fantasy genre, some argue that depending too much on this structure can limit creativity.
Should fantasy writers go along with this traditional structure to ground their narratives in familiar patterns, or should they take a more freestyle approach that defies conventions and allows for greater creative freedom?
Could sticking to 'the Hero’s Journey' make supernatural fantasy feel repetitive?
“There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers”
– William James
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