The Shadows that Speak to Us

 

Last time, I highlighted the writing class sponsored by Lorin Oberweger and Free Expressions, The Breakout Novel Intensive, exploring the principles outlined in Donald Maass ‘ book, Writing the Breakout Novel (2001). As a story nerd, I thrive on taking deep dives into the story engineering process, and this is as deep as it can get. This time I want to sing the praises of K.M. Weiland’s course, Shadow Archetype Course. This course six powerful archetypal character arcs and the passive/aggressive shadow archetypes that must be overcome to reach positive transformation.

As Weiland offers in the first class:

“Good art both mimics and influences life. This is never more true than of storytelling and its direct mimicry of life’s narrative. As audiences, we seek stories not as escapism but more pertinently as wisdom—as a mirror for our own experiences, a possible context through which we may recognize ourselves and make sense of our own existence. If you have experienced a book or a movie (or even a song) that has changed your perspective about yourself or the world, then you know the power of story. But even simply as entertainment, stories only engage audiences when they are able to tap the most important and primal patterns of life.

These patterns are archetypes.” 

 Having studied Joseph Campbell’s iconic hero’s journey, and Chrisopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Structure – which, by the way, is also offered as a class through Free Expressions – I delighted in this deep study into character archetypes.  As Weiland explains, archetypes are universally recognized symbols arising from a collective context. They span the globe, reach through history, and dig deep into our individual psychological experiences.

In short, archetypes are powerful.

Her course builds upon the concepts she explores in her book Writing Archetypal Character Arcs: The Hero's Journey and Beyond. Called Life Arcs, the study is centered upon six transformational archetypes that “signify the main initiations of the human life cycle.  A character arc is the change initiated in the protagonist) by the external events of the story. The character starts in one place (mentally, physically, emotionally, and/or physically) at the beginning of the story and arcs into a different place by the end. This is the Life Arc.

For example, I paid particular attention to the archetype, The Maiden - Coming of Age. As Weiland explains, “The first of the two youthful arcs, the Maiden is associated with puberty, sexual awakening, and individuating into one’s own personal authority. She arcs from Innocent to Individual. The Maiden’s journey begins with the Lie (the limited mindset with which the character begins the story ) and transforms into her Truth  (representing the more expanded perspective into which the character will be arcing. This Truth won’t necessarily represent ultimate truth, but simply a more effective alternative to the Lie.) For example, Submission(Lie)  vs. Sovereignty (Truth). “Submission to authority figures is necessary for survival.” versus “Personal sovereignty is necessary for growth and survival.”

By the way, be sure to check out YA author Holly Schindler’s exploration into plotting through backstory series on her newsletter,   It's My Story & I'm Stickin' With It.  It’s an excellent companion to Weiland’s course, focusing on plotting strategies. This includes:

Plotting Through Backstory (Review So Far - Post #5) 

The Four-Act Structure (Plotting Through Backstory #6) 

The Inciting Event (Change is Afoot - Plotting Through Backstory #8) 

 

 As Weiland reinforces throughout her course, and her books, powerful character arcs create powerful stories!

 

 Thank you for being a part of my journey!

-- Bobbi Miller