Twenty-Six Days of Creative Inspiration
I regret that I never got to take a class from the amazing Joseph Campbell. My own writing, as well as my teaching of writing, is heavily influenced by his template of the hero journey.
If you're not familiar with the hero journey format, here's a concise overview from Lisa Gail Green.
Let me add a quick graphic to whet your appetite.
My regret in never studying with Campbell was partially satiated when I discovered THE POWER OF MYTHS PROGRAMS. This is a series of discussions between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell on a myriad of topics including the hero journey, ritual, and mythology. They discuss the story origins in myths from around the world with both reverence and humor.
Even though I will never get to shake the warm hand and look into the wise eyes of my literary hero, I can still be a student of his precious words.
Let me entice you with some of treasures from the interviews:
“Mythology to him (Campbell) was the song of the universe, music so deeply embedded in our collective unconscious that we dance to it even when we can’t name the tune.” Bill Moyers
“Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life.” Joseph Campbell
And here, my friends, is our creative call to arms:
"Artists are the myth-makers of today." Joseph Campbell
Campbell’s fascinating perspective on the world is an invaluable filter in which we can view our own writing. He will forever be my tribal elder and mentor through his works and thankfully his beautiful preserved spoken words.
Click on the Blogging From A to Z Challenge logo in the sidebar to access the links to all the superheroes participating in this blog hop.
Your post reminded me of things I wish I had done when I had the opportunity. These days, if I get an urge to do something, I just do it so I won't have any subsequent regrets.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like he would've been a great mentor!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if he'd have been a great teacher. :-)
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing about Campbell in one of my many English classes and discussing the hero cycle. Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteYes, Joseph Campbell and the Hero Journey float my boat too!
ReplyDeleteJoseph Cambell is new to me! I love the quotes you shared. I am a big fan of mythology- so I am curious about what he has to say. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Joseph Campbell. Knowing about the hero cycle helped me a lot in an Arabic poetry class I took. The classic poems all follow the hero cycle.
ReplyDeleteArtists are the myth-makers of today...wow. What a quote!
ReplyDeleteNot sure I know Campbell's works, but he sounds like an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read enough fantasy to understand the skeletons of structure. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good inspirational writer. Thanks for the introduction!
ReplyDeleteHello new friends and followers. I'm hopping around trying to visit as many of you as possible.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I actually don't know much about him :)
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Joseph Campbell. I love to read about people that inspire artists. Great post, Leslie.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks for the link! I don't know much about him beyond the hero's journey itself. It would be fascinating to study him sometime.
ReplyDeleteThe Hero's Journey was one of the best books I've ever read. I learned some much from his ideas. :)
ReplyDeleteAngela
I used that hero journey plan a lot for my gigantic first novel (which is in a box under my bed). But I can't really fully apply it to the ones I'm working on now. I guess it always depends on genre doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove the Campbell quotes!
I'm a Campbell devotee as well, but I wasn't aware of these quotes, wonderful!!!! I drink up myths like wine and water; I think (or like to believe) there are mythical creatures in my blood.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching that or some other program with Campbell on PBS. I'm familiar with the journey format, and it's always great seeing it again.
ReplyDeleteI was introduced to the Hero's Journey via the Highlights Foundation in 2008. If there was ever a life-changing, writing-enhancing workshop to attend, this is it! What an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteFollow your bliss!