Having returned from my travels through France, I find myself renewed as a writer – not necessarily in the language department, but in the spiritual. The enlightenment of all I saw and experienced in this foreign terrain and culture has bequeathed me a bountiful feast of new ideas and new perspectives to reflect upon my projects, and to conceive the new.
Simply taking a month away from my writing was beneficial in itself, as I could escape the monotonous grind it was slowly becoming, replenish the reservoir of ambition and willpower, grease the imaginative cogs and gears turning in my mind, and reignite the passion that had gone from a blazing inferno in September to a dwindling candle by May. I could also review my own work with a more unbiased gaze, free from the narrow trails of thought I’d lost myself in, and able to think outside the box.
I didn’t travel across France alone though, I took with me a companion by the name of Joseph Campbell, or at least, a small body of his work known as “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”.
This insightful, inspiring, revolutionary and revelationary book took me on a journey into the very heart and soul of stories, from their genesis within the human psychology and the realms of our dreams, to the planes of myth, legend and fairy-tale, where they are released for the conscious mind to marvel at. Campbell orchestrates his paradigm for all stories, known as “The Hero’s Journey”, carefully illustrating each stage and development that all protagonists must traverse, and intricately identifies each character archetype it will encounter. He utilises a rich archive of recounted dreams, documented by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, juxtaposed with stories from mythology, fairy tales and religion, to demonstrate his theories.
Amaterasu EmergesIt was a far heavier read than I had anticipated, perhaps not the ideal source of relaxation for a weary traveler in his hostel bed and on bumpy train journeys – but in terms of illumination and inspiration, it did no less than rock me to my core. Not to mention single-handedly allowed me to finally conceive of the plot-twist that perfectly seals the gaping plot-hole in my Major Project, which I’d been wrestling with for the best part of half a year.
Theseus & the Minotaur
Does this mean I was simply copying from classic mythology? Yes, absolutely … but then the very message of the book, is that there isn’t a writer alive today or in all of history, who doesn’t do the very same with every story they author. There is only one universal story, one journey, one hero, and it has over 7 billion faces and counting. So it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, for anyone looking for an interesting and evocative read, look no further, and for puzzled writers seeking inspiration, this holds the answers to all your riddles and prayers!
Gautama Buddha beneath the Bo Tree
On the plane home, I felt I was ready to conquer the world, figuratively and literally. Unfortunately, a few rather monstrous trolls decided to block my bridge, rain on my parade and poop all over my party upon arriving home from my joyous holiday. I was met with two disheartening marks – a 58 for my Radio script “The Painted World” and a 55 for my Adaptation Treatment “Final Crisis”. The disappointment in myself, the frustration of the contradictory and prejudiced feedback, and the doubts I have for the future, have all amounted to a devastating blow to my motivation, and self-esteem as a writer I’m still dealing with at this very moment, and must overcome if I am to put my heart into my final Major Project to ensure its mark turns out stronger.
Saturn Swallowing his Children
But as a lover of storytelling, I should have foreseen this turn in the narrative, for every hero always hits her lowest, before she achieves her ultimate victory. Indeed, she must undergo her spiritual demise, the death of her hopes and dreams, before receiving her divine revelation, and resurrecting more powerful than ever before, attaining apotheosis, and sharing her enlightenment with the universe. Just watch me!
Earthrise
kylerees1993 