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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Christopher Vogler , Michele Montez
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (246 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 1, 2007
See why this book has become an international best seller and a true classic. The Writer's Journey explores the powerful relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style that's made it required reading for movie executives, screenwriters, playwrights, scholars, and fans of pop culture all over the world. The updated and revised third edition provides new insights and observations from Vogler's ongoing work on mythology's influence on stories, movies, and man himself.

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The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition + The Hero with a Thousand Faces (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At the beginning of The Writer's Journey, Christopher Vogler asserts that "all stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies." Some may be hard-pressed to accept this idea (and will wonder how storytellers from Homer to Shakespeare to Robert Altman might respond to the proposition). Others may imagine that since Vogler uses movies like the Star Wars trilogy and The Lion King to defend his mythological philosophy, he is, unwittingly, listing the reasons why Hollywood films of the last 20 years have been so unimaginative. But there's no doubt that Vogler's notion, based on psychological writings by Carl Jung and the mythmaking philosophy of Joseph Campbell, has been profoundly influential. Many screenwriters have used Vogler's volume to understand why certain scenarios sell, and to discover a blueprint for creating mythic stories of their own.

Now in its second edition, The Writer's Journey sets forth archetypes common in what Vogler calls "the hero's journey," the mythic structure that he claims all stories follow. In the book's first section, he lists the different kinds of typological characters who appear in stories. In the second, he discusses the stages of the journey through which the hero generally passes. The final, supplementary portion of the book explains in detail how films like Titanic and The Full Monty follow the patterns he has outlined. --Raphael Shargel --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Christopher Vogler is a veteran story consultant for major Hollywood film companies and a respected teacher of filmmakers and writers around the globe.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions; 3rd edition (November 1, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 193290736X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1932907360
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (246 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher Vogler is a veteran story consultant for major Hollywood film companies and a respected teacher of filmmakers and writers around the globe.

Customer Reviews

I strongly recommend this book to writers and storytellers. Gopal Ramasammy-Cook  |  103 reviewers made a similar statement
Great book, but I was dismayed by the tiny print in it, the font size of the text. Robb Ross  |  21 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 137 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fixing a Story's Guts. March 4, 2007
Format:Paperback
This is not a standard writing book. It is a problem solver and story editor.

Too many people look inside it and find formula. The problem with this is that, used as a formula, it will work exactly once and then all the other stories written to its beats will mirror the previous story and then the creative portion of the mind will rebel at having such fetters place upon it. Using it as formula is a certain road to ruin.

Where this book shines is when a writer has an outline or a partially finished manuscript, and parts of those do not work. Something is missing. Using the ideas presented here allow him to get under the story's hood and fix the broken piece or adjust the fuel mixture. For instance, most writers I have known could get their story out of the Ordinary World (a character's homebase) and then get stuck. There was one of two problems at fault there. In the first, they never took the time to develop the Setting (Extraordinary World) their characters would venture into. In the second, once they got their characters there, they would meander. For that I have found the idea of the "Road of Trials" or "Tests, Allies, & Enemies" a fascinating and satisfying way to get my characters to their Bleak Moments.

I have also found this book useful in analyzing novels and films. I see how others have created their works and where things work or do not work. For instance, the first "Harry Potter" book and "The Eye of the World" both follow a mythic structure and yet are wildly different stories. "American Gods" and "Gardens of the Moon" use very different structures from the first two novels, and yet they are as epic in their own ways; I see within them the ways that writers find divergent voices and story models.

There are those who would use the ideas found here verbatum to write something that they may think is original, but what will likely result is a mess of allegory and empty shells (need I say "Willow"?).

My own way of applying these ideas is to aid my outlining. Either I start with Characters who might hold certain positions (Hero, Herald) for a time, and then write a Journey as an outline. But mainly I create my characters and then write a full outline. Once I have a basic roadmap of where my story is headed I take out the Hero's Journey and see if any of the Roles or Journey Stages will improve them and help them get to where I need them in a more dramatic fashion.

A couple of notes:

1. The Shadow is the most misunderstood thought in this process. The Shadow should be an event, a force, a movement. One could save that the Shadow of "Gone with the Wind" is the Civil War; or of "Inherit the Wind" is ignorance; of life in the USSR as the Communist Party and/or the KGB; of "Star Wars" it is the Empire. Making a person into the Shadow creates a character who is dangerously unsympathetic and likely to derail a story. The Hero's enemy is their Nemesis; ala, in "Casablanca" Bogey's Nemesis is the Nazi officer, while Nazism and the War serve as the story's Shadows. A Nemesis can be made into an interesting character, while the Shadow as a character tends to devolve into pure (boring) Evil.

2. The Herald is there to announce major changes. He does not have to be human. For instance, in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" the newsreel in the movie house served as the pivotal Herald in the story.

3. Like the Herald, the Mentor does not have to be human. In "The Seven Samurai" the code of Bushido acts as Mentor. Similarly in "A Man for all Seasons" Thomas More's conscience is his Mentor. It can be a memory, a code, a religious ideal, a quote, or just about anything else.

4. Setting can be one of the most interesting CHARACTERS in any story. A great Special World can make a story come alive. "Tara", "Oz", Alcatraz, the house in "Rebecca", most of Agatha Christy's locales, "Middle Earth", the Tower of London. Do not ignore these; treat them as characters, with history and personality and you will be richly rewarded.

Last, I must admit that this book changed my life. It made me see in a different way and helped me heal my relationship with my father. It helped me find a path in life, as the mythic is the true element of life and everything else a temporary, chimeric miasma. Also, because of this wonderful guide I have completed every writing project that I have started.
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141 of 147 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Writing Guide June 5, 2006
Format:Paperback
I've read this book a number of times, as well as listened to Chris Vogler's lectures -- and every single time I come away with a deeper understanding of the hero's journey, the underlying mythic structure of stories, and some really useful insights into whatever story I'm developing at the time. But what's more, I'm always inspired with a greater awe of life itself.

I always find it interesting to see what others comment on in the reviews -- especially the more critical ones -- and I feel compelled to respond to some of them...

First of all, let me say that I completely respect everyone's opinion. We all have different paths, different styles, different tastes... But I think it is unfair and misleading to state that this book distills Campbell's work down into a formulaic writing style -- and that we would be better off just reading The Hero With a Thousand Faces.

Don't get me wrong, "Hero" is a great book and probably should be required reading in all writing courses, but it's a 400 page scholarly text with very broad applications. Saying we would be better off only reading that to improve our writing is like saying we would be better off reading the collective works of Newton in order to learn how to play baseball!

Using the Hero With a Thousand Faces, you could probably create a powerful book on relationships, family, business and, of course, the journey of life. What Vogler has done here is created a classic writing guide that shows us how to create stories with mythical power. It is an excellent adaptation of Campbell's source material. And while it teaches form, it never forces you into a formula.

I highly recommend it to all writers; to anyone involved in the creation of stories in any medium. Read it over and over. Watch movies, read stories, and try to notice the mythic structure in them. Let these ideas penetrate your subconscious -- where they can work on you, your writing, and even your life.
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146 of 158 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To "A reader" who posted on Oct. 22 1999 that "Vogler's assertion that Daedalus helped create the Minotaur (p.50, UK edition)" was incorrect, I'm sorry, but YOU are incorrect.

Queen Pasiphae commissioned Daedalus to create the wooden form of a cow, covered with cowskins, which Pasiphae then hid in, allowing the white bull to mount her. This union was the origin of the Minotaur.

And to all those people who are saying "read Campbell first" or "Campbell is better," I'd have to say that if you are a WRITER who is interested in developing your storytelling ability (not just someone interested in the historical or academic study of existing mythology), then this book is indispensable. AFTER reading this, THEN move on to Campbell, if you're so inclined. I own about 12 Joseph Campbell books, but I ALWAYS come back to The Writer's Journey when I'm "stuck" in my writing.

However, if you are NOT a writer but rather someone who IS interested in the historical or academic study of existing mythology, then skip this book because it was not written for you. This is the WRITER'S Journey.

It's the best book I've read on how to develop compelling storylines and characters, and how to "fix" an existing script that may be lacking in some areas.

Finally, to those who think that Vogler ripped off Joseph Campbell, it's hard to rip someone off when they give you their blessing and encouragement to keep doing exactly what you're doing. Campbell knew about and encouraged Vogler's work, and Vogler repeatedly acknowledges and praises Campbell throughout this book. In no way does he represent that the 7 archetypes and 12 stages of "the Journey" were his own creation.

He also repeatedly discourages the use of his book as a "formula."

So there.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep story.
A must for any aspiring or working writer who wants a deeper understanding of the roots of story and how the ancient traditions are at work today. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Griffith Lambert
5.0 out of 5 stars Most-own reference for fiction writers
I bought a copy of this book years ago, when it was a new concept and copies were only available at writer's conferences. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Aisling D'Art
5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph Campbell For Writers
This book, in general, is one of the best that I've read on writing in a long while. Not only is it interesting from a psychological standpoint, but it gives you a greater and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by MacGuffin09
5.0 out of 5 stars Eat it!
This book is THE book. If you can't get it with this book your not going to get it. Every line is a bite of insight on how this stuff works.
I'm full and I want more! Read more
Published 1 month ago by david w valdes
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for writers
Terrific book for anyone writing any kind of fiction. I've recommended it to several other writers, and I'm reading it again as I write another story.
Published 1 month ago by Joyce Hertzoff
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to relax with your writing and let it flow naturally
I bought a used copy of this for less than a dollar. Probably one of the most important writing books I've ever read/purchased. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gift Card Recipient
5.0 out of 5 stars very interesting
very interesting book with a lot of tips on how to write an amazing, and revolting story. so thank you
Published 2 months ago by nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST
EVERY WRITER WHO WANT TO TAKE ON SCREENWRITING SHOULD GET THIS BOOK, IT PROBABLY SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING IN ANY LITERATURE CLASS.
Published 2 months ago by james O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading
One of those times the text is a read worth having. Enjoying his writing and journey. Inspired to write by it. Thank you.
Published 3 months ago by Johnazon
3.0 out of 5 stars Writers Journey has some valuable stuff
While Writers Journey has some valuable thoughts about the "path" that heros take in stories, and the kinds of archetypes likely to show up in your stories, it was not as... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Wyn Snow
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