Mythic structure

The Mythic Structure for Writers:

1. Introduce the hero in his Ordinary World
2. The call to adventure
3. Refusing the call
4. Meeting the mentor
5. Crossing the threshold out from the Ordinary World
6. Tests, allies and enemies
7. Approaching the in-most cave, the enemy's fortress, the dragon's lair
8. The ordeal--facing and overcoming the direst challenge.
9. Receiving the reward
10. Taking the reward back to the Ordinary World
11. Final test
12. Completing the journey, transforming the world

This is based on Joseph Cambell's work and I don't find Hero with a Thousand Faces all that convincing--if you push hard enough, you can shove anything into a niche whether it fits or not, and I think Campbell did a lot of that. However, even though not all myths fit his pattern as completely as he claimed, seeing the overall pattern is still useful.

Free writing: farewell, eccentric, west

"Well, Captain DeClarion, tomorrow you sail, eh? West to Huy Braseal. Goblins. Elves, maybe. You ready?"

"Yes, Admiral. Everything's packed. Weapons, food, books and clothes."

"In that order, eh? You're an eccentric one, DeClarion, but you know your priorities. Have anything for your private trade?"

"I was considering that, sir. What would you suggest?"

"Blades and muskets, if you're not trading them where they'll be used on us! Steel bar and silver. Coal. Cloth. My man can guide you on a few things."

"Thank you, sir."

"Remember, captain. Your duty is to your self, your ships, and your service, but the service comes first. That port must not fall into the enemy's hands. Must not. A few warships are not important, compared to that. Priorities, captain! Farewell, and good hunting."

DeClarion saluted and left. So far he'd been given contradictory instructions: he was not to take any risk at all with his warships, lest they be scratched; and he was to hazard them like game chips at need. 

How to Write a Novel in 30 Days

Day 1: Choose a storyline. Name your characters.
Day 2: Outline the basic idea of each chapter.
Day 3: Write the climactic chapter, 2000-3000 words.
Day 4: Write the openings chapter, 2000-3000 words.
Day 5-27: Write the other chapters, 2000 to 3000 words a day. Don't edit, just write.
Day 28: Fix plot holes
Day 29: Spell check and fix grammatical errors
Day 30: Print

Names

Sundown Jones: buccaneer. I've been wanting to use that name for a navy commodore, but that just doesn't seem to fit.

Other names on my list: Roclen, Berenger, Tiercel de Clarion