Story Basics Part IV: The Herald Archetype

I've written about big penises, Turkey, Muses, and International Woman's Day.  I figure now is a good time to get back on my subject of Archetypes and how they are used in literature.

When I think of the Herald, I think of the character Mountjoy in Henry V. Mountjoy is the carrier of news and challenges. His appearance means things are about to change, that a new energy is going to shake up the Hero's life. This archetype is so important that the God Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) was the Deity of messengers.

(I obviously have a weakness for the Herald archetype ;).

The Herald announces the need for change (also known as The Call to Adventure) and provides motivation. This role is not always filled by a person, but can be a wonderful character when it is, especially if the Herald is mixed in with another archetype. Often, the Herald is filled by inanimate objects; hurricanes and storms, a telegram, phone call, or television broadcast, perhaps a letter. Sometimes a Herald is negative, a message from the antagonist. The Herald can be also be positive or neutral.

International Women's Day.

More reason why Daniel Craig and Judi Dench should rule the world.

Time for noms.

I think I will bake cookies this evening.

Travel picture of the day.

I was missing Istanbul this morning. So here is a picture to remind me of that magical place.

This is part of the Sultan's bath in the Topkapi Palace. Water would fill the marble basin, then the bather uses a dipping bowl to pour the water all over himself. That way, the basin and the water remains clean, even after scrubbing.

Other wonderful Turkish things:
A most unusual movie with Peter Ustinov and Melina Mercouri (Love her name!) as part of a jewel heist from the Topkapi Palace.

The Turkish Bath. I firmly believe that it could bring world peace. And Apple Tea is good for everything that ails you.

Another Muse.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis Presley!

Elvis is a Muse because he represents fearlessness to me. He danced in ways that frightened people, but he did it anyway. Even when he was miserable and drugged out, he still tried to be himself.

Viva Las Elvis!

The Muse.

Portrait of me as a Muse, by Michael Baxter

I could pull my History Geek Cred out and talk about the Nine Muses of Classical Greece*, but today I'm going to talk about something more immediate.

Who are your Muses? With whom do you collaborate and attempt to inspire?

I could list all my Muses, but instead, I'm going to talk about just one.

Meet Michael Baxter, the world's foremost photographer of Belly Dance. Michael is, in short, a genius. He is a feminist, a visionary of light, and an old school geek. (He and The Charming Man are also dear friends).

Go ahead, follow the link. I'll be here when you come back from looking at the links.


No, I mean it. Go look at them. :)

Michael's love of dance, music, light, and myth  have inspired me since we met in 2008. I had never seen a photographer able to photograph all shapes, sizes, and colors with such ease and joy. We've since corresponded and shot photos together. He makes us see ourselves as we truly are.

I had truly terrible body image issues until I met him. I knew that I wasn't a hideously scarred Two-Face, but I never knew in what way I was attractive. He showed me my own goofy, playful charm.

Since learning this from Michael, I try to take all my characters on a voyage of self discovery to find their beauty. I try to show all my friends how beautiful they are, what they might not see about themselves. I am inspired to be kinder, more patient (not easy for me), and share the light that Michael has shown me.

I hope he will inspire you, too, with his skill with color, setting, and bringing dreams alive.

*All right, I couldn't help myself.

Calliope: Epic poetry. Emblem: Writing tablet (Too bad such a cool chick got stuck with such a hideous instrument)
Clio: History, Scrolls
Erato: Love_poetry: Cithara
Euterpe:Lyric Poetry, Aulos
Melpomene: Tragedy,Tragic mask<
Polyhymnia: Sacred poetry,Veil
Terpsichore: Choral Dance and song, Lyre
Thalia:Comedy, Comic mask<
Urania: Astronomy, compass