Writing Archetypal Character Arcs: The Hero's Journey and Beyond (Helping Writers Become Authors, Book 11)

Name: Writing Archetypal Character Arcs: The Hero's Journey and Beyond (Helping Writers Become Authors, Book 11)
SKU: 44494
Availability: InStock

4.8 | 152 ratings

Price: 17.46

Last update: 06-15-2024

Top reviews from the United States

Never Mind Me

A Knack For Explaining Story Craft

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023

I just finished some enjoyable light reading (Women's Fiction). Would any other readers get what I mean should I leave a review stating: "my oh my this character has successfully completed her Queen Arc, you go girl!" ?

Now that K.M. Weiland has explained it, I can't unsee it when I curl up with a good book. She's got a real gift for explaining Story Craft..

I especially appreciate her invitation to study her source material and to explore the other archetypes that we all know and love but that she didn't cover herself. The six she covered (IMO) are well chosen as they help us understand ourselves and not just beloved characters in our novels.

An all around helpful guide for those who live and those who aspire to write. Now for my Outcast Archetype...

Tom

Get this book

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023

Wow. If you're currently working or thinking about writing a novel, get this book and read it first. Just looking through the table of contents, you'll immediately be struck by how essential knowing your various character's arcs are in terms of writing a captivating and emotionally satisfying story. Not to mention how much time and effort you'll save yourself in terms of being able to dive into and successfully execute every other aspect of your novel (theme, plot, beats, etc.). Very highly recommended.

Victoria C Leo

If you want to create quality fiction, you need this book!

Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023

I love all Katie's books, so I bought this one as soon as the paperback was available. Exceeded even my pretty extravagant expectations. Katie will show you how the archetypes fit into the different types of story arc, in detail. Not generalities and not the other extreme of 'cookbook' either, she explains exactly where the archetypes fit. This is especially fun for me, with a series, because I can see how my protagonist goes through different arcs as she ages, and which archetypes the secondary characters are exhibiting, as well as how the archetypes work together to produce a powerful, powerful story!

This writing teacher keeps getting better and better. I waited for the paperback because I need to flip real pages, scribble real notes on real paper, it's what I need for the books that really matter to me! However you acquire it - acquire it!

Thorn Winter

Powerful Tools Well Organized -- IF YOU BUY ONLY ONE BOOK ON CRAFT THIS YEAR, MAKE IT THIS ONE.

Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023

Apologies if this is a second submission...I'm a tech fumbler...but it's important to me that folks like K.M. get support to keep going so we can all benefit from their hard work! This latest addition to her craft books is, well, it's freaking great!!! I was honestly sick of the "power of myth" shtick decades ago, both in writing and reading. But this book brought it back to life for me. I especially appreciate the updating to feminine/masculine journeys for men, women, and any other identity. I think men need new heroes and they better be in touch with their feminine side or they'll be miserable in our new age. The shadow archetypes really made the use of these toolsclick for me in a way it never did before. Like suddenly learning how to use a hammer to hit nails instead of a screwdriver. This book offers actual, functional advice on using these myths. I'm psyched. In case you couldn't tell... :)

Winey

Worth the wait! A must-read for plotters and recovering pantsers (IYKYK)

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2023

I've been following along with the podcast, taking furious notes on archetypes, character development and plot arcs and I was so excited when I heard K.M. Weiland was turning it into a book!
I've only had it for a day, and I've already highlighted half of what I've read.
A must-read for plotters and recovering pantsers -- just in time for NaNoWriMo Preptober!

Erin Phillips

Nice addition to my writing resources

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2023

A nice companion novel for brainstorming character arcs, and is more thought-provoking than practical so better for inspiration than anything else.

bTd

Another Great Book by K.M. Weiland

Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2023

I have been a follower of K.M. Weiland for several years. Once I found her books on Writing Craft, I discovered a deep well of knowledge and insight that has been invaluable to me. Her latest offering is no less than one of her best. Her examination of the Archetypal Character Arcs reveals the potentially powerful developments this understanding can bring to your writing. Through a much broader exploration of the Character Arc, she expands our vision far past the primary Hero’s Journey to encompass the fuller life arc of any character. This excellent volume is one that every student of Writing Craft needs to have on their bookshelf

KayG

The Art and Soul of a Good Story

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023

For those of us who love a good story - and if you seek to take Joseph Conrad’s seminal Hero with a Thousand Faces to the next level - read K.M. Weiland’s latest book. Her books and her blogs are designed to help writers and authors alike, but this book breaks new ground. This is a book that is not just about the art of the story, but the very soul of a story - the type of story that resonates with the human collective. Once you begin to read about the archetypes and sub-archetypes, you will recognize them from stories you cannot forget and from people that you cannot forget in your own life. This book truly works on two levels - the craft of the story and the heart of the writer. Bravo!

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