Last Vogler

Vogler, Christopher. “The Writer’s Journey- Stories are Alive.” The Writer's
Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Third. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese
Productions, 2007.

Summary
In this last section of the reading, Vogler discusses briefly the journey comparing it to writing. He says that anyone setting out to write a story is their own hero experiencing the stages and leaving with the elixir of a good story. He also says that stories are magic and he expresses the power of words saying that they do provide for emotional reactions and healing power, which he then relates to shamans. Shamans are healers who have prepared for their work through their own trials. They have been reborn and identified, returning with new powers. Vogler also says that writer’s travel which explains their need for solitude because in their minds they are traveling into the story.
The next section is where Vogler discusses the idea that stories are alive. He believes that stories have healing powers, survival value, that they are metaphors, they show inner and outer journeys, that they are orientation devices and are alive. He goes on to talk about Rumperstiltskin because it is on that challenged him. He thinks about the damsel in distress as making a wish to the world that is then answered with several consequences. He says that all stories can be boiled down to wishes and the consequences that follow them. They are powerful and easily relatable to audiences because we all have secret desires. The wish can be expressed or implied and filled in by the audience but either way the story finds it. The response to the wish can be unexpected. Vogler continues to talk about the difference between want and need. This is because often heroes want something, their wish, but what they need is a life lesson to be learned along the journey. Another important aspect of story telling is identification because the themes must reflect the audience so that they are emotionally invested. Writers must also consider the wishes of the audience, the hero and even what the audience wants for the villain. Wishes must be put into action which leads us into willing which is the next logical step. The hero must be willing to take on the journey and willing to pay the price. Wishing and willing bring the story to life.

Reaction
In this section of the text, Vogler’s passion for writing seems to surface greatly. He feels a strong connection to the written word which is nice to see, even inspiring. I agree that words hold a lot of power. I think that through stories we do learn a lot and it is sometimes an escape from our own worlds or just another way to enjoy our fantasies. However writing can be a powerful persuasive tool or form of communication so I understand the emphasis he places on it. I also agree that stories revolve around wishing. Just as we have already discussed, each hero needs to have a desire, something that propels them through the story, this is the same as the wish and without it there would be little emotional attachment behind his or her actions. Wishing of course leads to willing, assuming the hero makes it past the early stages of the journey to face the main ordeal. I do think there are several exceptions and variations, but he has discussed this in detail previously. I’m not sure that I agree with his statement that writers need solitude because sometimes I think writers are inspired by the outside world around them which taps into natural and relatable aspects as opposed to imagined worlds that exist within the writer’s head alone. I think that Vogler has made several good points throughout this text over the past weeks and there is a lot to be learned from him. There is also so much for him to continue learning, as he mentioned, as writers continue to break the mold.

Questions
Are stories really like shamans? Is this necessary or can stories survive without it?
Are stories alive, why or why not?
Does the audience need identification for success?