ESCALATING EMOTION IN THE HERO S JOURNEY

Transcription

1 PAGE -1- ESCALATING EMOTION IN THE HERO S JOURNEY 2014, Linda Needham Created for her Writerly Friends. Reprint/publish /post only by express permission from the author-- which is rarely withheld, because she is easily flattered and loves to help other writers. info@lindaneedham.com -- #1 Ordinary World Limited Awareness of a Problem STAGE I Set Up Living fully within Identity The Protagonist is coping her ordinary world; if not at peace with herself, at least keeping the status quo. Opening Hook Character type--goals, expectations--sense of direction--personality, strongest character trait, which foreshadows their weakness and the source of the Emotional Conflict. #2 Call to Adventure Increased Awareness of the Problem Turning Point #1 Opportunity 10% By fate or design, the Protagonist is into a situation that is about to change her life forever, force her to confront & overcome her greatest fear. She learns of the great stakes involved in the adventure. First Confrontation/ Meeting with the Antagonist Sets up the crucible of the story goal and illuminates the emotional conflict, based on characters' strengths & weaknesses. #3 Refusal/ Reluctance Reluctance to Change The threat of change causes fear and/or reluctance, no matter how prepared the Protagonist is to accept the challenge. Extent of Trouble for the Protagonist Demonstrates the power of the Antagonist over the Protagonist, the threat to her physically, emotionally, socially, financially, or in combination. #4 Mentors/Insight Overcoming Reluctance/ Being Overcome Protagonist tamps down her reluctance via an encounter with wisdom in the form of a person, new information, additional insight, or a reiteration of the stakes. Confirmation of the Stakes, the Consequences of Failure Reveals the heart & soul of the Protagonist-- love of family, duty, faith &. determination; an excess of virtue: Goals adjusted, strategies devised, rules established in the new world.

2 PAGE -2- #5 Crossing the Threshold into the Special World Committing to Change STAGE II New Situation Glimpse of living life in Essence The Protagonist takes the first step to overcome the obstacles the Antagonist has put in front of her. Her action binds them inextricably together by their opposing goals. Belly of the Beast Launch ramp into Act II The danger inherent in living within the contract between the Protagonist and the Antagonist. Protagonist sets wards against the Antagonist s offensive actions. ACT II Es c ap e h atc h s lam m e d s h ut Bell Doorway of No Return #1 st 1 Pillar Inexorable path to the final battle and resolution. Death stakes begin. Whole of Act II #6 Tests Enemies Allies Training for Big Change Turning Point #2 Change of Plans 25% To protect herself, and/or her loved ones and to ruthlessly reach her goal, the Protagonist tries to separate herself from the Antagonist s powerful influence, through overt/covert rebellion, separation, deception. The Antagonist s Emotional Motivation Constrictions of the Rules The Antagonist s emotional weakness is revealed, foreshadowing the Protagonist s influence and threat. Exploration of the workings of the contract between them. Obstacles First Hints of Change Protagonist and Antagonist recognize an unexpected goodness in the other-- an unwelcome vulnerability. Both react as swiftly and harshly as to a direct threat. Antagonist sees Protagonist as a menace to his defenses. Protagonist sees Antagonist as an even larger threat to her world view, her goals, her freedom than before. Testing the Effects of the Change Deeper Stakes Assessments & appreciation of the other's compelling qualities; reactions Antagonist's POV and reaction is the strongest. Danger to the Antagonist s goals is increased by the Protagonist s daring. Both pushing to achieve greater results. Enemies Experimenting with Change An unexpected intimacy, such as a kiss or a spiritual connection, reveals the increasingly unwelcome vulnerability of each to the other--increases wariness and ups the story stakes. Antagonist Staggered Protagonist s Power Increases Antagonist s emotional vulnerability is exposed by the Protagonist s actions. Antagonist survives initial emotional blow through Protagonist s gentling; negotiation brings unexpected intimacy.

3 PAGE -3- Restrictions Foreshadowing Consequences of Change Rules between the Protagonist and Antagonist are changing, unbalancing the relationship. New insight brings about unexpected disappointments, unwelcome expectations. Reminder of Danger Attempt at Separation Fails Threat to goals of each are detailed, increased. Defenses shored up by both. Antagonist reaches out to corral the Protagonist s goals. Allies Experimenting with Change STAGE III Progress Moving toward Essence without leaving Identity Initial opinions grudgingly begin to change as each begins to see the other with growing respect and appreciation. Heart Divided by Opposing Goals- Attempt at Separation Adjustment of Contract Terms Stakes now include a devastating emotional loss if the Protagonist s goal of separation are achieved. Moving forward toward original story goal calls for delicate maneuvering, restructured strategies. #7 Approach to the Inner Most Cave Experimenting with Change Turning Point #3 Point of No Return Mid-point 50% Double-edged investment in the emotional relationship developing between the Protagonist and Antagonist. The temptation to drop old defenses draws them as strongly as it repels. Testing #1 Testing #2 Testing #3 Reactions to new impressions Protagonist & Antagonist losing their hearts to each other. Trust and hope begins to drive the relationship risking betrayal from either. Critical Character Point Internal Bell Magic Mirror Moment Mid-Point Protagonist (and Antagonist) take stock of themselves in the current situation; shocked at the truth reflected in the mirror. Self-revelation Time of Reflection What have I become? What will happen to me next? What must I become/do to accomplish my goal? Am I worthy? What are the odds and can I beat them? New Rules STAGE IV Complications & Higher Stakes Defenses remain, wards still set against each other. Face to Face with the Antagonist s Original Threat Protagonist is finally exposed to the full and visible power of the Antagonist s threat to her goals. Fully committed to Essence, but still fearful & doubting Unexpected Vulnerability Protagonist learns the compassionate nature of the Antagonist via his honorable, heroic actions in the face of danger to others and herself.

4 PAGE -4- New Insights Exploring change Deepening understanding of the Antagonist's life, his emotional wounds and world view. Protagonist joins Antagonist in his Terrifying Realm Surprising revelations, dangerous adventures. New Intimacy On the Brink of Change A deeper intimacy, such as love making, increases the vulnerability of one or both, increases the emotional stakes. Conscious attempt to understand each other despite their differences. Love Scene Defense of the New Love Emotional intimacy. Love-making opens a secret door. Taking a stand for the other person, righting a wrong out of love & attachment #8 Supreme Ordeal Attempting Big Change Turning Point #4 Major Setback 75% The Antagonist's ultimate weakness and emotional vulnerability is exposed by Protagonist's actions in pursuit of her goal. Protagonist confronts her greatest fear & the loss of her story goal, and survives thru cunning and preparation. Power shifts to Protagonist. Emotional reactions. Antagonist's Supreme Ordeal Shame, grief, inadequacies exposed by Protagonist's attempt to help Antagonist. #9 Reward Consequences of the Attempt ACT III Both survive the supreme ordeal; the Antagonist's secret weakness is kept secret, or accepted by the Protagonist, Protagonist finally feels safe: gaining conditional trust. The future looks brighter and resolution seems near at hand. Tenuous joy. Antagonist's Survival & Integration The truth that must be faced no longer frightens the Antagonist, due to the Protagonist's love and commitment to him. Bell Door of No Return #2 nd 2 Pillar Forces the final battle, makes the resolution possible. Pushes the characters into ACT III

5 PAGE -5- #10 Pursuit on the Road Back Rededication to Change Armed with a new understanding of herself and the Antagonist, the Protagonist now learns the price she may have to pay for her reaching her goal: a broken heart, the villain escapes, a reversal of fortune, reality sets in--despite her earlier sacrifice, all may be lost. Big Love Scene Defenses fall, bond tightens, goals are threatened by the sweetness of love. Taking Possession Admission of love by the Protagonist expressed or not, crosses an unanticipated emotional threshold, gives power to the Antagonist. Protagonist's Supreme Ordeal The emotional stakes are raised as the Antagonist and Protagonist are confronted with the magnitude of loss should the final showdown not be won. Unbelievable bliss and a glimpse of Paradise. New Perceptions Threshold reversal occurs as the emotional bond is recognized by the Antagonist. The Protagonist regains the power over the Antagonist. Fully-Committed Love Scene Fully inside the belly of the beast, willing to risk loss of control by giving her heart & her goals to the Antagonist. rd 3 Threshold/ Major Setback STAGE V Final Push Living in Essence w/everything to lose A disastrous threat to the relationship arises out of the consequences of the Supreme Ordeal, which requires each to take an all-or-nothing stance against the other in the seemingly unresolvable conflict between them. Protagonist's Supreme Ordeal A scramble to put things back the way they were--to shift the consequences of the change.

6 PAGE -6- #11 Death of Dreams/ Love Final Attempt at Big Change Dark Night of the Soul Protagonist's actions betray the Antagonist and/or the stability of his world. He is wounded, devastated, raging in his old incarnation. The Protagonist acts firmly in her convictions, using everything she has learned in her journey to survive this last encounter with her worst fear--the death of her goal/dreams/love. All is Lost Complete Separation Failed strategies bring utter devastation, unless the lessons have been learned completely. Joy must ne earned. Supreme sacrifice, love is not enough #11 Showdown & Resurrection The Last Battle Turning Point #5 Climax 90-99% Antagonist uses the lessons he learned by loving the Protagonist to face the results of her betrayal or her convictions with a hard-won, but steadfast belief in his new-found self and in their love. Final Showdown All resources are employed to protect and champion original goal, now heavily prejudiced by effects of love, intimacy and appreciation of each other's goodness. #12 Return with the Elixir Final Mastery of the Problem STAGE IV Aftermath Journey Complete, Destiny Achieved Alterations are made to the old ways by Protagonist & Antagonist, making room for new, as they learn to live in the brighter light of their love. Love Triumphant Threat resolved through love, devotion, trust and respect. Antagonist & Protagonist are better people for having found each other. Absolute Proof of Change Bell Proof of Transformation Scene True change requires the Antagonist s inner realization, coupled with indisputable proof of that change. Visual redemption Should be tied to the theme, a meme, a symbolic act, a bookend or continuing element.

7 PAGE -7- Linda Needham is the USA Today Bestselling Author of ten Historical Romances, published by one of the Big 5, and has just entered the new and thrilling world of self-publishing with her own publishing house: Big Scrumpy Press. Contact her at: --