Annotation 11

Kristy Roseberry 1
November 16, 2008
Professor Robinson
Vogler 231-290 Annotation 11

Citation:
Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey”. “Stories Are Alive”. The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. 3rd Edition. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007.

Summary:

Vogler states that the Hero’s Journey is an accurate map to become a writer, and better yet a human being. He states that the Hero’s Journey and the Writer’s Journey are the same. Vogler states that the Elixir in a story writer’s journey is a good story. He also states that writers have the potential to be healers for other people. Vogler compares writers and shamans and states that they both are prepared for their work by enduring terrible ordeals. Furthermore, Vogler states that when we write we travel to the worlds of our imagination.
Vogler goes on to talk about how stories have a healing power, in which they can help others deal with difficult emotional situations. He also states that stories have a survival value, they are metaphors, and that good stories show at least two journeys, an outer one and an inner one, also that stories are
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orientation devices. Vogler states that stories are somehow alive and are responsive to human emotions and wishes. He states that stories have an agenda just like humans do. Vogler goes on to talk about the story of Rumplestiltskin and discusses the power of wishing. He states that wishing is an underlying principle of storytelling. Vogler states that the expression of a wish has the important function of orientation for the audience. He states that stories hear the wishes with intense emotion attached to it. Vogler states that often heroes wish for something that they want badly but the journey teaches them what they need. Vogler also states that the aim of good storytelling is to get the audience to wish along with the hero. A good story can do this by making the hero sympathetic and making the audience identify with the hero. Vogler also states that we have wishes for our villains also. Vogler also goes on to talk about the progression from wishing to willing. He states that just like wishing, the will must be managed. Vogler also states that there is a connection between needs and willing, which is that both evolve from the idea of wishing or wanting.

Reaction:
In this section, Vogler talks about the importance of the Hero’s Journey and why we should use the Hero’s Journey. Vogler also states that stories can have a healing power, which is true. Many people will watch movies or read books that they can relate to and which can help them get through a problem. People like to be able to relate to a story. I know for myself, I will watch certain
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movies or shows that are relating to my mood at the time and what I am going through during my life. Reading Vogler’s Hero’s Journey has helped me to be able to analyze stories a lot better.
Questions:
1. What do you think the greatest importance of the Hero’s Journey is?
2. What do you think the elixir is for a story writer, do you agree with Vogler that it is a good story?
3. What is your favorite part of the Hero’s Journey or your favorite part in Vogler’s text?