Tag: survival

  • Of John Gardner, Writing and The Worm Hole Experience…

    Of John Gardner, Writing and The Worm Hole Experience…

    “Any event that seems to the given writer startling, curious, or interest-laden can form the climax of a possible story.” –John Gardner in The Art of Fiction Climax is that place in the story or novel where the protagonist, the main character, reveals in action, that she or he has integrated knowledge gained through the…

  • Of Envy, Doubt, and Still More Risks…

    Of Envy, Doubt, and Still More Risks…

    Following crisis, the protagonist must choose, decide and act. Will she or he return to business as usual, keeping secret what they have learned, or will they share it with others? Will they share the healing they have undergone with others, or will she or he choose the safe path of saying little or nothing…

  • Of Illusions, Diamonds, and The Imago Dei…

    Of Illusions, Diamonds, and The Imago Dei…

    Crises consist of many obstacles, the least of which include illusions, and deceptions. Illusions held about life, and deceptions by others, and self fiercely clung to often comprise the nets limiting awareness. Reaching the peak of crisis, and fighting the battle that awaits requires perseverance and remaining focused on the task at hand. Doing so…

  • Of Crises, Experience and Goals…

    Of Crises, Experience and Goals…

    Surviving a crisis bestows special knowledge garnered and held by few. It also grants admittance into various orders of wisdom yielded by experience. Every novel or story a writer crafts tells the life of a certain crisis, and chronicles a central character’s survival of that crisis. The process of writing that novel flows out of…

  • Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

    Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!

    Much like Paul Revere announced the British were on their way to do battle in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, the Herald archetype in storytelling announces change and transformation to the major character. The Herald places the protagonist on a state of alert, tells him or her how to read the signs, “One if by land,…

  • Civility and Order

    Civility and Order

    The word, hero, in Greek means, “to protect and to serve“.  We often find these words on the side of police cars. Thus we think of law enforcement. And yet, from the etymological perspective rooted in Greek, what is to be protected? What or who needs and desires safety of survival? What is ultimately at…

  • War, and Standing “In the Shadow of Suribachi”

    War, and Standing “In the Shadow of Suribachi”

    Ever wondered what war is like for those who survive the physical batter and yet lay shattered beneath the psychological impairments of their battle? And what about the family members unable to fit the pieces together and create a lifeline of continuity for their loved ones who returned confused, bereaved and mournful at the loss…