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tbyers31's review against another edition
5.0
I hate to admit it, but this book sat on my shelf for a long time because it looks, for lack of a better word, "self-published." But it's the best thing I've read (and re-read) to challenge my thinking on how to structure a story and develop a strong character. Maybe others can do it intuitively; this is for writers who need some therapy!
hellsfire's review against another edition
4.0
I would rank The Writer's Journey up on the must-read books that writers should read. It's a very insightful book, dealing with the Hero's Journey and breaking it down. Vogler uses movies as his examples and while this might be geared towards screenwriters, writers of all genres can read it.
I had thought this was going to be one of those boring, technical books. Luckily, it wasn't. Maybe it's because I love movies and have seen a lot of the movies he's referenced countless times, but I was entertained. It's also very easy to read. People have seen movies than have read books.
The only downside is that the book starts to get a little repetitive and I don't quite understand the last couple of chapters.
Now, excuse while I go write an awesome screenplay!
I had thought this was going to be one of those boring, technical books. Luckily, it wasn't. Maybe it's because I love movies and have seen a lot of the movies he's referenced countless times, but I was entertained. It's also very easy to read. People have seen movies than have read books.
The only downside is that the book starts to get a little repetitive and I don't quite understand the last couple of chapters.
Now, excuse while I go write an awesome screenplay!
clayjs's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic read about story structure and its basis in myth. It's essentially a re-purposing of [a:Joseph Campbell|20105|Joseph Campbell|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1201938763p2/20105.jpg]'s [b:Hero with a Thousand Faces|588138|The Hero With a Thousand Faces|Joseph Campbell|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176059620s/588138.jpg|971054] for screenwriters, but it's a useful distillation for anyone who writes popular media. It goes into satisfying depth about why we care more when our heroes act certain ways, and the purpose of all those act two punches in the gut they have to endure. Strongly recommend to all writers. For an easy-to-follow example of the principles in this book, watch Elmo in Grouchland. Or Labyrinth, if you have self-respect.
radbear76's review
4.0
Full of helpful information that I think will make me a better writer. The author emphasizes this is a guide to help authors solve problems and not a formula. The techniques he describes have already helped me work through some rough spots in my own short stories. Definitely worth reading if you're into writing.
mlhelliwell's review against another edition
3.0
My review of this book is coloured by my expectations - always a dangerous thing. While this was certainly an interesting book, I don't know if was particularly helpful to me as a writer. Maybe it was just too much detail. Too many different potential players/personas to consider when someone is considering a putting together a story.
When I write I start with a germ of an idea, and maybe a few scenes in my head, but I'm not a plotter by nature. I have a background in mythic literature and medieval history - and maybe I've just read enough fairy tales and myths to have some kind of understanding of the bits Vogler painstakingly deconstructs in this book. As a reader, I found it fascinating, but as a writer, I think was a bit overwhelmed by the detail.
I have not read his most recent edition, and I would be tempted to. But as of right now, this is a book I'm happy I've read, but don't feel the need to own. But if you are interested in storytelling in any regard (this book is primarily aimed at scriptwriters) you might want to give it a go.
When I write I start with a germ of an idea, and maybe a few scenes in my head, but I'm not a plotter by nature. I have a background in mythic literature and medieval history - and maybe I've just read enough fairy tales and myths to have some kind of understanding of the bits Vogler painstakingly deconstructs in this book. As a reader, I found it fascinating, but as a writer, I think was a bit overwhelmed by the detail.
I have not read his most recent edition, and I would be tempted to. But as of right now, this is a book I'm happy I've read, but don't feel the need to own. But if you are interested in storytelling in any regard (this book is primarily aimed at scriptwriters) you might want to give it a go.
fouroffivewits's review
4.0
A good breakdown of the writer's journey in excruciating detail using films for examples. I would of rather seen novels used as an example but this book definitely helped me rethink characters in my own books and how the characters fit into the story and how the story progresses. The questions at the end of each chapter are fun writing prompts to flesh out your story that I enjoyed doing, except the ones about film.
Definitely read the appendices after finishing the main part of the book, you can skim the breakdown of the different films if you'd like, but the Star Wars section is definitely worth reading just for breaking down what the problems with the prequels were. Good read.
Definitely read the appendices after finishing the main part of the book, you can skim the breakdown of the different films if you'd like, but the Star Wars section is definitely worth reading just for breaking down what the problems with the prequels were. Good read.
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Too perfunctory in many respects, but clear and refreshingly direct in others. Vogler oversimplifies Campbell's observations re: patterns in myth, but if you're trying to diagnose story problems or figure out how to make a nebulous idea concrete, this book's breakdown of narrative structure in its broadest strokes is a reliable testing ground. (I had several lightbulb moments along the way and am fairly certain I'll end up cutting Act II of my WIP in half. Whew.) In this edition, Vogler does reiterate that the order and implementation of these common beats/stages from myth isn't sacred; smart writers subvert them all the time. But there's something to be said for making sure you understand them first, inside and out.
The second half of the book is an interesting grab-bag of essays. While I enjoyed some of Vogler's film analyses (Titanic, The Shape of Water), his obligatory Star Wars commentary was head-scratchingly trite—might as well not have included it. Using chakras as another metaphor for the hero's journey is cool shit, though. And the chapter on the wisdom of the body is a good reminder that stories are not primarily an intellectual affair.
The second half of the book is an interesting grab-bag of essays. While I enjoyed some of Vogler's film analyses (Titanic, The Shape of Water), his obligatory Star Wars commentary was head-scratchingly trite—might as well not have included it. Using chakras as another metaphor for the hero's journey is cool shit, though. And the chapter on the wisdom of the body is a good reminder that stories are not primarily an intellectual affair.