Story Basics Part IV: Archetypes and Joseph Campbell

Last year (to the day!), I said I would do a series on various archetypal thought systems that can inspire a writer. Today (and until I get done with it), I'm going to discuss Joseph Campbell's breakdowns according to Christopher Vogler .
Vogler names the most useful, basic archetypes for writers:

• Hero
• Mentor
• Threshold Guardian 
• Herald
• Shapeshifter
• Shadow
• Trickster

First things first. According to Vogler,

The concept of archetypes is an indispensable tool for understanding the purpose or function of characters in a story. If you grasp the function of the archetype which a particular character is expressing, it can help you determine if the character is pulling her full weight in the story. The archetypes are part of the universal language of storytelling, and a command of their energy is as essential to the writer as breathing.  (p. 29, emphasis his)

It's very easy to call character A the Mentor, and that is her only function - to mentor and educate the Hero, then to let her go into the world on her own. But in order to make a story character interesting and three dimensional, the Mentor will most likely play many roles, just like real people. Someone can give you excellent advice one day, then the next tie your shoelaces together. This person has embodied both the Mentor and the Trickster/Shapeshifter archetypes.

For the next few days, I'll breakdown each individual archetype. This is going to be fun!

I has empty brain

I'm deep in the first draft of The New Book, so my brain doesn't have much for my blog. So instead, here is a cute picture of The Charming Man in Paris, instead.

There's always room for The Charming Man. :)

Cross Pollination

Today, I will have an afternoon with my dear friend Kim Sakkara. Kim is a disgustingly talented woman. She is a brilliant clothes designer, a seamstress, an entrepreneur, organizer, dancer, and general genius.

I love visiting Kim. Even though we are creative in different ways, I always feel refreshed and full of ideas after our time together.

Kim lives in a world of color, texture, design, shape, shine, drape, flair, and fit. I live in my head in a world of words and improbable acts. Going into her studio is like descending into Aladdin's magic cave - her colors dazzle me and her gift with texture and layering makes my fingers itch to hit my keyboard. I would descend into mad poetry to describe her space.

I have had the great privilege of owning a Kim Sakkara original design and being a model for her. Here are a few pictures to make you sigh and dream of Kim's beauty.

04/2007 Copyright Kim Sakkara. Location: La Mode Macabre fashion show at the Fez ballroom in Portland. Custom costume design by Kim Sakkara & Magidah with beadwork by Sera Richardson. Model: Magidah. Photo: Circle 23.

All photos c. Kim Sakkara and used with permission. The model is the lovely Grace of Deviant Dance.

My gorgeous custom outfit from Kim.

2006 Copyright/velvet skirt & gauntlets: Kim Sakkara. Bedlah: made in Egypt. Photo: Lenny Gotter. Model: Linda

Tendril pants

2008. Copyright/pants/choli tops Kim Sakkara. Photo:Circle 23. Models: Grace, Linda and Tanya Magdalena.

Kim designs for all sizes and shapes. That's your not-skinny author in front.

Inspiration!

Ideas are everywhere, but my favorite place to get hot images and  thoughts is Filament Magazine.

You want images of skinny men with tattoos, piercings, and letting their freak flag fly?

They have them.

You like more a more traditional, masculine look?

They have that, too.

What they don't have? Diets, celebrity gossip, and fashion. This magazine assumes that women are intelligent, sexual, varied, and curious.

Go over to their Facebook page and check out their hot, hot men. And subscribe!

(all photos from Filament. No copyright infringement intended, nor am I getting any presents for talking about this magazine. I'm posting these because I want every writer and photographer out there to look at this groundbreaking work!)

Research

Some days, you just gotta do some research on blue-eyed men who deliver the cool - Paul Newman and Daniel Craig for today.

Oh, YUM.

Today, The Flaming Chef and I wandered downtown Portland before settling in to write. Quite by impulse, we stopped by Verdun Fine Chocolate & Gifts.

The sweets here were AMAZING. Since I cannot share smell nor taste here on the Web, I can only share my pictures.

This is their drinking chocolate. Unlike other drinking chocolates I have experienced, this is super rich and thick, nearly syrupy, with lovely butter and vanilla undertones. Incredibly fragrant, and highly satisfying. I licked my lips for half an hour after drinking it.

Their classy and stylish displays do not do justice to their smooth, exotic confections.

The Flaming Chef enjoying his drinking chocolate. We bought some of their sweets to take home to our husbands. The Charming Man was thrilled with his treat!

The Houdroge Family owns Verdun Chocolates. Can we talk about classy and talented folks? They were incredibly nice.


I can't recommend this place enough!