Last Vogler

Rhianna Lebedz
November 24, 2008

Vogler, Christopher, and Michele Montez. The Writer's Journey : Mythic Structure for Writers. Boston: Michael Wiese Productions, 2007. pg. 293-312.

Summary

In 'The Writer's Journal', Vogler begins to summarize his whole book. He states that the Hero's Journey Model is "the accurate map of the territory one must travel to become a human being" (293). He also says that the Hero's Journey and the Writer's Journey are the same in that we all experience the tests, trials, ordeals, joy, and reward of the Journey (293). Vogler then goes on to say that words have the power to hurt or heal us and that writers have the potential to be healers through their work (294). Not only are writers healers, but they are Shamans as well. They create space and time and travel to worlds of their own imagination (295).
For the last section we read, Vogler explains how "Stories are Alive". He says that stories have the healing power and can help us through tough times (299). He feels that stories have an agenda and that there is something on their minds in which they want to share with us and have us look at them much deeper than just words on paper (300-301). Vogler then continues on and explains how wishing plays a big role in the hero's journey. He says, "Be careful what you wish for" because a wish is a powerful act of the imagination (309). Sometimes, in good storytelling, the audience will make a wish along with the hero (306). Good stories have the effect that will have the audience feel as though their wish can help the hero in many ways and have them hoping that it will come true.


Reaction

Now that we are done with reading Vogler, I will forever have a Hero's Journey embedded in my mind, not saying if that is a good or bad thing. These last two sections that we read were definitely my favorite. The reading dissected the Writer's Journey and explained the last elements of what the reader should understand about the Journey. I liked how Vogler brought up the point that a hero will wish for what they want at that moment, but they learn to see what they really need (306). I feel that this is true for anyone. Sometimes we will wish for something, but we really don't need it. Somewhere down the line we learn to see what is important and what we truly need.

Questions

1. Do you agree that the Hero's Journey model is a map of the territory we must travel to become a better human being?
2. Have you ever been hurt or healed by someone's writing, like a book or an article, etc.?
3. Have you ever wished for something that came true, and when it did you regretted that you wished for it?