Reflection...

So far I have read over 300 pages of Vogler's Writer's Journey and have completed 11 distinct annotations on every chapter of his book. I have also completed my very first memoir which later transferred itself into a research paper about homeschooling. Interestingly enough, the research paper had originally been produced as an argumentative paper on homeschooling, which in the end got me through the Writing Portfolio. This was the first time I was ever able to transform a paper from one form into another. I never thought I could possibly perform this kind of writing.

My plan of action is to (1) record my interview with my cousin regarding her experiences with homeschooling as a child, and (2) find suitable materials for my presentation December 5th. I would like to have a fold able billboard for most of the discussion section and use my laptop for visual feed (the song I found on Youtube, Socialization Blues). (3) Construct the billboard, and (4) suck it up and not feel so scared about doing the presentation.

I believe all of the above mentioned essentially feeds into my presentation. I look at it all as a flow chart, with one piece giving birth to another and finally ending in a presentation of all that has been covered. I highly doubt that the research paper (Project Two) could have possibly been created had it not been for the initial memoir (Project One). Even the organization in which I volunteered ( Project Three), which has almost nothing to do with homeschooling, managed to have a slight connection.

Week Eleven Vogler Annotation...

11.18.08

Zoah Alvarado

Vogler Annotation.

Vogler, Christopher. "The Writer's Journey." The Writer's Journey: Shaman and Appendices: Stories are Alive. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Production, 2007. 291-312.

Summary.

In Shaman: The Writer's Journey Vogler explains how his book can be used as an accurate guideline which orients the inspiring writer in the correct direction. Vogler also introduces the idea that the Writer's Journey and the Hero's Journey are in essence the same in that both the hero and the writer encounter the same "tests, trials, ordeals, joys, and rewards" (293).

Writing is described as a perilous journey which the writer takes on him or herself to accomplish in order to discover the depths of his or her soul. The archetypes even take on new life and meaning when applied to the Writer's Journey as they pertain to the Hero's Journey. For example Vogler mentions "low selfesteem or confusion about goals may be the Shadow that chill our work", and the Threshold Guardian as the "editor or one's own judgemental side...that seem to block our way" (293). Vogler goes on to say how the alphabet were believed in many cultures to be powerful magical symbols, explaining how the Norse Runes and Hebrew alphabet were simple yet deep symbols of cosmic significance. Another interesting point Vogler makes is on how "When you 'spell' a word correctly, you are in effect casting a spell, charging these abstract, arbitray symbils with meaning and power" ( 294). Writer are compared to Shaman and /or Medicine men or women in this section on account that both are "special people set apart from the rest by their dreams, visions, or unique experiences" (294). Shamans have been known as " the wounder healers" and in such a way writers have come to produce their craft only after being shattered or "wounded".

Reaction.

I like the connection Vogler makes between Shaman's and Writers with the concept that they are both a characterized as dreamers and people with unique experiences which they share with others. I also like Vogler's statement about how spelling a word correctly you are essentially casting spell. The fact that many culture believe alphabets to have far more meaning and power than simple communication, documentation, or recclocation.

Questions. 

1. What other kinds of character archtype could writers be compared to?

Words.

Manipulate (294): to handle apparatice, etc., in experiment; to handle, esp. with skill or dexterity; to turn, repostiion, reshape, etc., manually or by means of a tool or machine; to manage, control, or influence in a subtle, devious, or underhands manner.

It is often times intriging to see how often we humans manipulate each other.

Week Ten Vogler Annotation...

11.07.08

Zoah Alvarado

Vogler Annotation

Vogler, Christopher. "Epilogue". Looking Back on the Journey. Studio City, CA: Micheal Wiese Production, 2007. 231-290.

Summary.

Here stands the end of the road for story and hero alike, however, the element of nostalgia is also incorporated for the sake of memory, reflection, the basic act of looking back on history. This is by far, Vogler's longest chapter, and in it he strives to communicated the fact that his book, The Writer's Journey, should not be staunchly followed but merely used as a faint background or "guideline". Vogler makes this sentiment clear in his first "Caveat Scriptor" statement, "... The Hero's Journey is a guideline. It's not a cookbook recipe or a mathematical formula to be applied rigidly to every story. To be effective, a story doesn't have to concur with this or any other school, paradigm, or method of analysis."(231) Vogler also explains to the reader and expectant writer the beneficial results of choosing a metaphor, THEIR own metaphor as a means of producing a template for their story. Interestingly enough, Vogler even goes on to say that it may be best to altogether forget what was read and learned from The Writer's Journey and refer to it only as a metaphor if, and when, the writer has "lost" his or her "way". Vogler writes, "It's probably best to acquaint yourself with the Hero's Journey ideas and then forget about them as you sit down to write. If you get lost, refer to the metaphor as you would check a map on a journey."(233) The best of his comments is regarding how the writer should not at all use a map but indeed get lost in creativity in order for new discoveries to be made and a great story to unfold.

Reaction.

The one thing that impacted me the most about this chapter was Vogler's statement regarding how the mass media, ( Vogler specifies MTV) has greatly increased story pace and rhythms resulting in shorter audience attention spans and reenforcing their ability to keep up with storyline twists, turns, stops, and goes, forward and retro movements. Although I agree that this has indeed happened, I do not believe it is truly a good result for various reasons, possibly unrelated to the present subject matter. I was furthermore intrigued by Vogler's statement about the writer needing to become lost in creativity in order for a successful storyline to be produced. I feel it is true that in order for a comparatively good story to be produced, the writer must move away from boring, perhaps overused, convention, and must free and loose themselves to creativity.

Questions.

1. Is it truly good that the average audience has been forced to slacken/shorten their attention span in order to be able to keep up with the various kinds of media including literature?

2. Can the twists and turns, the stops and goes, the forward and retro movement of a written story really only be appreciated and followed by the audience that has been conditioned by fast paced short sequenced media?

Words.

Denouement (254): n. The final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel. The place in the plot at which this occurs. The outcome or resolution of a doubtul series of occurences.

Sentence: The word denouement came from the French word, denouer, which literately means to untie or the action of untying.

Frisson (262): n. A sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill.

Sentence: Few movies have been able to induce in me pure frisson as has the movie The Piano.

America's Presidential Electoral History...(And Week 9 Extra Credit)

Because I just had to...

On November 1st 2008, I voted during the Pinellas County Florida Early Voting movement. Waited 3 1/2 hours, but it was worth it.

Week Nine Vogler Annotation...

11.04.08

Zoah Alvarado 

Vogler Annotation

Vogler Christopher. "Book Two: Stages of the Journey." Stage 11:  The Resurrection and Stage 12: Return With the Elixir.

Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Production, 2007. 196-228.

Summary.

The stage of the Resurrection marks the very last stage in which the hero must once again battle through yet another trial. The battle is similar to the Supreme Ordeal given that the hero must again "die" and be "reborn" in order to be allowed back into the Ordinary World. The return to the Ordinary World would not be possible if the hero does not under go  a secondary transformation/metamorphosis with which only "death" and "Resurrection" (literal or metaphorical) can provide. This last Ordeal is one of greater peril than all others. One may be confused as to whether or not this stage carries a climax or a crisis, however,  Vogler stamps the Resurrection as a climax and not a crisis. He writes,  "This is the climax (not the crisis), the last and most dangerous meeting with death"(197). Vogler goes on to define the many kinds of Resurrection, from Cleansing, and Romantic Choice, down to Sacrifice.  

Reaction.

It was interesting to me how Vogler mentions in his "Sadder but no Wiser" section of the chapter how "the worse kind of fool is the on who doesn't get it" (222). Here he compares the foolish hero who does not learn a thing from his or her ordeals to the hero who learns from his trials. Vogler explains that the foolish hero may have come understand the results of his journey but returns to his former self instead of further continuing his character development. I liked this theme on account that it seems much more truer to reality.

Questions.

1. Which is the best sort, a circular, or an open-ended story?

2. Can it be said that open-ended stories have recently become more appreciated?

Words.

Pitfall (224): unfavorable terrain in which an army may be surrounded and captured; a trap for catching birds, in which a trap door falls over a cavity or hollow; a hidden or unsuspected danger, difficulty, or opportunity for error.

During my time at Eckerd, I tried my best not to succumb to the pitfalls of procrastination.