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

Free writing

For free writing exercises, I'll be taking a few random words, or a sentence. and just typing for ten minutes. Don't have to have an idea where it's going, just write.

Free writing: bed, rock, elephant

Suddenly it was light, and loud. Daytime. Urgh. I was going to need a megadose of caffeine to cope with today. Shouldn't have stayed up till 4 am again. Awfully loud, and kinda open air feeling. Should be dark, quiet, should be still asleep. I pried my eyes open to look for the clock and see who'd opened my curtain. What I say was an elephant about to drop a rock on me. Big elephant. Big rock. I rolled aside, getting tangled in the mosquito netting—where'd that come from? The rock dropped and smashed my bed. Whoever's bed this was, anyway. Where am I? Elephant has small ears, pretty sure that means it's Indian not African. No mahout. I'm staying still and the elephant is not trying to trample me, very important point. I'll keep staying still. Some kind of bamboo hut with woven grass panels for the walls, no glass in the windows, jungle-covered hill outside, old stone palace or temple or something half covered by jungle. The elephant trunk sweeps half the wall away, then he ambles off and starts pulling up grass. I slowly sit up, carefully watching the elephant. It doesn't respond. If it comes after me, well, an elephant can outrun a man who's in good shape, it can certainly outrun me. They can't make sharp....right turns? Left turns? Don't recall. Better not to attract its attention.

Free writing: barrel, purest, drive

"No, Captain Jones, the Portuguese are neutrals! We can't attack the enemy while they're in a neutral harbor."

Jones said, "It's Commodore, Captain. And if you recall, the English had no qualms about attacking us at Santa Rosa when that was a neutral harbor. And it's purest whimsy to think they wouldn't do it again, if they saw advantage. Yes, they'll sent complaints to Court, and letters will swim round the oceans after us, and I may be reprimanded. But if we let this convoy through, they'll land troops and drive on Capetown and station frigates there. Our trade with the Indies will be cut in half—if we're lucky! Your family is wealthy, Captain. Tell me, can they stand it if they have to buy spices by the barrel from Englishmen at the same prices they paid for a tonne around the Cape? Will they pay the insurance rates for merchantmen? Who will buy your linens and silks when they cost triple or more what they do today? And will your family thank you because your delicate sensibility, your nice observation of a law the enemy flouts, made you forego this opportunity? You may indeed bear a public reprimand, in a year or two, when the queries are made; but will your King and your Navy and your merchant boards not know who saved them?"