Access To The Internet

If you are reading this article, I assume that you are struggling with writing articles. Sometimes it is just so hard to get the information out of your head and it seems like when you are sitting in front of your computer, you minds go blank.

Writing an 250-500 words article is better than 1000 words article, people are in a hurry, they don’t want to sit there an spend the next 30 minutes of their time reading your article unless it is super good quality and contain the information you are seeking.

There are three purposes articles do. The first is to generate sales, the second drive traffic and the third is to capture their email address. I consider the third to be more important than others because once you capture their email address; the others will fall into place.

There is plenty of information on the internet that you could use to write your articles. Information such as old ezine articles, you could use other’s people content and create you own unique articles.

Or you could use books old books as a content reference guide to crank out another series of articles.

But the best way to do it is to use articles that you have written before. You could simply add more content or refine it. Since the internet world is changing so fast. I bet you could update your articles into better one.

With all of this information, you need a system to write articles. You’ll need a system that you could use over and over again to produce articles, a step by step guide for yourself. A system could help you concentrate and focus on what you need to do, it will help a lot.

To develop a system, either you create one yourself or you can use ones that other people have created.

Since it takes time to develop a system and tests if it works or not. I recommend you to use other people’s system.

If you want to use other people’s system to gain the benefit yourself, visit http://www.articleunlimited.com/30minutes.html

Conclusion, if you want to produce more articles in less time, uses a system to help you. Remember, not only earning profits is money, time is also money…

Titus Cheng is an infopreneur that specialized in article marketing. He website has an ecourse to teach other people how to use article to marketing. To subscribe to his ecourse, visit http://www.articleunlimited.com

Stop paying for your web site visitors. Write an article, submit that article (for free) to the best article directory web sites and see your traffic explode!

Driving more visitors to your web site is just one of the benefits of submitting articles to article directory web sites.

There are other benefits too: Your Google page rank will increase! Your Yahoo and MSN rankings too! Alexa.com ranks web sites based upon web site traffic, so you benefit that way as well.

Distribute articles and establish yourself as an expert. Submit articles to make more sales, to get more web site traffic for free, to increase your website’s Google Page Rank & boost your Alexa score.

In my opinion, article publishing is the greatest free traffic generating “secret”.

But, I am sure you do not have the time available that it is going to take to submit your articles to twenty, fifty or a hundred article directory web sites.

So, what is the best way to submit your article to as many article directory web sites as possible?

Free article submission? No way. Just SPAM machines that can get you banned from article directories. Cheap article submission services? They lack the professional features that I am looking for. The top-notch ones have almost everything that I am looking for but they are too expensive.

Article submission software is the solution to this problem. Article submission software will store your information, your resource box and article body and visit each of the article directories to log you in and automatically fill in the fields (name, article body, resource box etc) for you. After that, you will need to select the appropriate category for your article and hit the submit article button.

Article writing is not a very easy work but it can become very rewarding. Keep it short, about 400 words. Check your grammar and spelling. Do not copy from other articles. Use a catchy title. Don’t forget to include a call to action and a link back to your web site in your resource box.

John Iacovakis is the owner of PopAds Online Advertising and CreativeNet Article Submission Software

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk/

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

EXAMPLE: The Graduate (1967) – [Hero's Journey, basic]

FADE IN: meeting the Hero / going on a journey: Ben in the aircraft; arriving in the airport.

Time Pressure: parking limited to 3 minutes only.

Herald: Ben’s father asks him to come downstairs, to meet the guests / friends.

Resistance to the Journey: Ben hesitates to go downstairs; he is worried about his future.

Creatures of the Ordinary World: meeting the guests downstairs.

Hero’s Capabilities: hey “trackstar”; I want to hear all about that award you won.

Hero’s Status: we’re so proud of you.

Pushed towards a Transformation: what are you going to do now? About your future? There’s a great future in plastics…

Hero’s backstory: Someone reads Ben’s yearbook.

Forced to a Journey: I have to get out of here; Ben goes upstairs to be alone.

Meeting the Mentor / Shape Shifter / Antagonist: Mrs Robinson finds Ben in the room alone.

Antagonist familiar with the Hero: …the track star doesn’t smoke….

Call to Adventure: will you drive me home?

Refusal: take the car; do you know how to work a foreign shift?

Time Pressure: lets go.

Pushed to the First Threshold: will you come in please, until I get the lights on.

Crossing the Threshold Marker: would you mind walking in front of me into the house; the main door.

Resisting the Outer Cave: I was glad to drive you home but I have some things to think about.

Pulled in: please wait until my husband comes in.

Rules: I’m very neurotic.

Outer Cave Trial: you didn’t think I’d do something like that did you, Mrs Robinson; Mrs Robinson you’re trying to seduce me.

Resisting the Middle Cave: are you trying to seduce me? I’m not sure.

Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Elaine’s room and her portrait.

Middle Cave: will you unzip my dress; I think I’ll go to bed.

Resisting the Inner Cave: what if Mr Robinson were to walk in now? Would you like me to seduce you?

Pushed to the Inner Cave: would you bring up my purse; I’m putting it on the top step; will you stop acting this way and bring it inside.

Inner Cave: Mrs Robinson naked; I want you to know I’m available for you; if you won’t sleep with me now you can call me anytime.

Forced out of the Inner Cave: Mr Robinson arrives.

Pushed to the Belly of the Whale: I think you should take it easy; sow a few wild oats; have a few flings this summer.

Resisting the Conscious Decision: do I have to do this?

Conscious Decision: diving into the pool sequence.

Goodbye to the Old Self: the fading image.

Belly of the Whale: Ben calls Mrs Robinson from the hotel; give me an hour.

Creatures of this World: the people in the hotel.

Threshold Guardian: the hotel receptionist.

Creatures of this World: the people in the party.

Fish out of Water: Ben is uncomfortable and out of place in the hotel and nervous when Mrs Robinson arrives.

Threshold Guardian: getting a room from reception.

Pushing to the Physical Separation: Ben phones Mrs Robinson and gives her the room number.

Fearing the World of the Transformation: Ben anxious in the room.

Resisting the Physical Separation: Mrs Robinson undresses; I can’t do this.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: is this your first time?

Physical Separation: I am not inadequate.

Transformation and Trials 1:

New Self: Ben with glasses in the pool.

Being undressed by Mrs Robinson.

Goodbye to the Old Self: closing the door on Mom and Pop.

Watching TV in the room with Mrs Robinson; she leaves.

Foreshadow of the Romantic Challenge: What are you doing Ben? Elaine is coming down from Berkeley, why don’t you give her a call?

Mom asks Ben where he goes when he stays away all night.

Transformation and Trials 2:

Antagonist’s Backstory: Mrs Robinson, could we have a conversation this time? Having a conversation; Mrs Robinson got married because she got pregnant.

Interdiction: don’t talk about Elaine; don’t you ever take that girl out.

Ben starts to walk out; Mrs Robinson persuades him to promise never to take out Elaine.

Transformation and Trials 3:

Pushed to the Trial: Pop encourages Ben to ask Elaine out.

Resisting the Trial: Mrs Robinson is angry; Ben tells her he won’t see her again.

Ben takes Elaine to a strip joint; Elaine cries and Ben chases her, explains and then kisses her; he has a compulsion that he has to be rude all the time.

Meeting the Oracle: it’s still early, lets go somewhere else.

Journey to the Sword:

Recognised as Mr Gladstone at the Taft Hotel.

Ben tells Elaine that he had an affair with a married woman and that it’s all over now.

Seizing the Sword: I want to; arranging a date for tomorrow. The kiss.

Night Sea Journey: Mrs Robinson gets in the car and threatens to tell Elaine everything. Ben runs to Elaine.

Near Death Experience: Mrs Robinson appears and Elaine realizes the truth.

Ben watches Elaine leave.

Rebirth: Ben tells Pop that he is going to marry Elaine.

Atonement with the Father:

Driving to Berkeley; spotting Elaine.

Getting a room.

Watching and following Elaine; running after her in the bus; talking to her in the bus.

Elaine meets Carl at the zoo.

Apotheosis: Elaine comes into the Elaine’s room; Ben tells her he loves her; Ben tells Elaine that he didn’t rape his mother; Elaine screams; Elaine is OK, she’s drinking a glass of water; I want you out because I don’t like you; Elaine doesn’t want him to go.

Ultimate Boon:

Elaine comes back into Ben’s room; will you kiss me. Will you marry me etc.

Refusal / Denial / Disgust: Mr Robinson appears; he and Mrs Robinson are getting divorced. I will get you arrested if you ever look at Elaine again; get outta here.

Magic Flight:

Elaine has left school. She leaves a note.

Ben drives back home.

Ben sneaks into the Robinson’s home; Mrs Robinson calls the police.

Time Pressure: sorry you won’t be invited to the wedding.

Rescue from Without: Ben finds out where Carl is getting married from his classmates.

Crossing the Return Threshold:

Stops off at the gas station to find out which church.

Gas runs out and he runs.

Knocks on the glass window.

Final Antagonism: Ben sees the post-ceremony kiss.

Master of Two Worlds: Elaine calls for Ben; he gets past Mr and Mrs Robinson; they run; into the bus.

Freedom to Live: smiling in the bus.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk.

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk.

Here are some common fears, misconceptions and hesitations that I myself experienced when I first began writing articles for the web. Do you know what carrying around such fear accomplishes?

NOTHING!

Your fear and self-doubt prevents you from submitting web articles that serve as global marketing for your website, ebook, ezine, blog… and any other place where you market your unique product and services! And that stops your business from booming like it can so easily out here on the web.

Some of the below fears took me as long as JUST LAST WEEK to expel from my brain! (Okay – maybe last month).

Dina’s Article Fear 1: My article must not have any typos, ever!

Dina’s Article Fear 2: No one will notice my articles in such a congested (popular) category as mine.

Dina’s Article Fear 3: I can’t write an article that’s under 800 words.

Dina’s Article Fear 4: I can’t write articles as fast as I need to keep up with the volume needed on the web.

Dina’s Article Fear 5: I will attract “lower food chain” clients if I write articles that are short and simple.

One noteworthy point about my past article fears:

Ultimately, my fears never stopped me from writing articles. Hence, I was able to blow past all of them and move closer toward my article marketing goals.

I took my articles to the next level by following along with what Chris and the EzineArticles.com team had to offer in the way of article direction, support and motivation. YOU CAN, TOO. And if you want to grow a business on the web – this information is crucial.

So, now it’s your turn. What stops you from writing articles? How can I help you overcome your obstacles? Let’s conquer those fears together. After all, the only thing that’s *really* stopping us is… US.

Copyright 2006 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Liked this article? Have more of the same emailed to your inbox each month. Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at Wordfeeder.com and learn to write search engine friendly web copy and market your web based business for free.

What is a Memorandum of Understanding?

Traditionally a memorandum was a short, semi-formal document used to transmit messages inside an organisation. Memoranda were used to document agreements (understandings) between internal departments, work units and individuals and thus the memorandum that documented these “understandings” became a “Memorandum of Understanding” or MOU. Eventually usage widened to also encompass organisations and individuals outside the originating organisation. Today MOUs are commonly formatted as letters, memos and other documents.

Irrespective of how they are formatted, MOUs should detail the agreement between individuals or organisations (or even countries) succinctly and in unambiguous terms. Each partner to the agreement needs to sign indicating agreement.

Why are MOUs Important?

Here’s an example of a situation when an MOU may have saved the day. An infection control conference had been organised and it ran for three days. A conference organiser had been hired by a friend of mine who was primarily responsible for organising the conference, but no written agreement between the two existed. The second day into the conference there was a dispute between my friend and the conference organiser about whose responsibility it was to collect payment from conference attendees who wanted to visit local tourist attractions; my friend said the conference organiser had verbally agreed to do it; the conference organiser said it was my friend’s responsibility and that he had made no such agreement.
Eventually, one of the members of the organising committee collected and banked the money and coordinated visits to tourist spots about town.

This was an occasion on which an MOU would have prevented a dispute. By referring to the MOU, both parties would have known exactly what was, or was not their responsibility.

How to write an MOU

Usually a summary at the beginning of the MOU to set the scene is required and then simply use two other paragraphs titled something like “What We Will Do” and “What You Will Do”. Like this:

“I refer to our discussions wherein you agreed to provide team building training to staff at the Nhulunbuy office of the agency. Our respective responsibilities are detailed below:

What We Will Do

The agency will provide:

1. a conference room with white board, overhead projector and seating for 20 people
2. mixed sandwiches, tea, coffee and fruit juice refreshments for lunch for attendees and instructors
3. a payment of $12,345.00 including goods and services tax to you by electronic transfer within 14 days of the program closure
4. instructional materials up to 100 pages for each attendee

What you will Do

We will provide:

1. team building training as per our course outline, to 20 people at the Nhulunbuy office of the agency at an all inclusive cost of $12,345.00 including GST
2. submit our tax invoice within two days of course delivery
3. a work book titled, “Effective Team Building” to each student and an additional copy for the agency library

Please read this MOU and if you agree to the responsibilities shown for this agency and yours, please sign it and return the original to the agency.”

A genuine MOU would have had more items in both lists, but this gives you the general idea. Everything each signatory to the agreement will do is specified, usually in bulleted form.

Accessing the Terms

Once you have your MOU in place, signed by both (or all) parties, you can refer to it whenever necessary either to refresh your memory about your obligations or to help resolve a dispute. If it’s in black and white and you agreed to it, then it’s difficult to argue the contrary.

Obviously if there is a lot of money involved, or a project is complex, it’s more appropriate to have a legal practitioner draft up a formal contract. For those activities however, when a contract is not necessary, an MOU can help reduce the chances of disputes or misunderstandings.

Copyright 2006 Robin Henry

Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet entrepreneur. He helps home-based businesses and individuals improve performance by applying smart technology and processes and developing personally. He runs his business Desert Wave Enterprises from his home base at Alice Springs in Central Australia, although at present he is on temporary assignment in the United Arab Emirates. Robin has just released his fifth ebook, “Guide to Letter Formatting and Writing”.

So often online you will critics who will attack you on Blogs, forums or even thru email. They will harass you and annoy you and attack your personal character. So often these same people will hide behind fake names, bogus “handles” or even use various IP addresses to mask their identities.

Recently just such an individual or perhaps a mirage attacked the top online article writer of all time on the Internet. It is hard to say if this person is even real. The reply to this critic, who hides out, lurking in shadows only to try “hit and run” drive by Blog comments is this;

“I challenge the experts, I challenge the status quo and I hereby challenge my critics. If anyone wishes to debate my work, my writing, my observations, my knowledge or my personal integrity, then I challenge you and the horse you rode in on until you are no longer standing. So, bring it on or stay on the porch. Pick a topic, be specific, bring your and bring your knowledge, your mind, your best debate and let’s go! Do not talk in generalities, brevity or abstract when attacking me, cite the example of any of my topics and the exact article and I will defend my position and I challenge you to debate your position with all your knowledge, abilities and experiences.”

After reading this incredible controversy online one can only ask the question, why is the critic playing games on the Internet and how can we prevent people like this from these slanderous attacks? Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Picture a cool crisp autumn morning in the wide open farming lands in the Great Southern region of Western Australia at Wagin, home of the annual Wagin Woolarama and Giant Ram.

Imagine a white metal caravan with brown carpet on the inside walls fitted out as a outside broadcast van on a dusty, damp road by the edge of a large green football oval. The smell of freshly cooked donuts wafts past as the crowds start to fill the arena.

A middle aged lady, who has that look of a lifetime spent outdoors approaches the van.

“I’m looking for Tom Murrell,” she asks.

“I’m Tom,” is the reply.

“No, I’m looking for Tom Murrell, the ABC manager in charge of all the radio stations,” she asks more firmly and abruptly.

“That’s me.”

“No it can’t be! I imagined someone with grey hair in a grey suit!”

At the ripe of old age of 28 years, I was appointed a senior executive with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), in charge of one of the world’s largest radio networks covering an area of some 2.5 million square kilometres.

Admittedly, I was the ABC’s youngest ever person to be appointed to this position and probably looked even younger than my age.

I tell this story not to impress you, but to impress upon you the personal power of your voice and how it helps shape and create an image of who you are in other people’s minds.

You see this lady had only heard me on radio, as a broadcaster, and because of the anonymity of radio she had never seen me but had formed a mental picture of what I looked like.

The benefit of having a good voice is you have more authority, credibility and power. With this comes more influence.
This is especially important when using a microphone or speaking over the telephone.

According to experts your voice is at its most naked over the phone or on radio. Speech experts say its like putting your lips to someone’s ear and gives new meaning to the term lend me your ears!

When you’re on the phone, giving a speech with a microphone or on radio all the nuances of your voice are amplified.

Most people dislike the sound of their own voices because when they hear it being played back it sounds different to what we hear inside our heads.

The power of a good clear voice is often highlighted in the cut and thrust of politics.

One of the most successful Australian politicians who understood this was Bob Carr who, after 17 years in New South Wales politics, retired last month as that State’s longest serving Premier.

The son of a train driver was self-made and grew-up on a diet of “books, knowledge and learning”. Part of the Labor leader’s success was the training he received on how to use his voice as a radio current affairs broadcaster early in his career at the ABC.

If you want a powerful voice in any situation, here’s what you can learn from the vocal skills of Bob Carr.

1. Authority

An authoritative voice comes from self-confidence. This is a learned behaviour. No matter what your natural voice sounds like, you can learn to develop authority in your voice.

2. Clarity

A clear voice is easily understood and people are more likely to act on your ideas and instructions if your voice is clear.
Good radio broadcasters and powerful communicators such as Bill Clinton work on their clarity through vocal exercises, involving diction, pause and pace.

3. Personal Power

Referent power comes from a position of power. Expert power comes from unique knowledge. An authoritative voice gives you personal power. Bob Carr had all three.

4. Maturity

A mature voice has more influence. Again, no matter what your experience, you can learn how to have more maturity in your voice.

5. Ageless

Voices can sound ageless as my Wagin story highlights. Often the age of the person with an ageless voice will be in the mind of the listener.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries.
You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom’s blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

If you write and submit articles on the Internet, you need to make sure you are getting the most money out of each article. Here are the 7 different ways to make money with articles:

1. Promote Your Website

Add your author bio at the end of each article with a short ad for your products or services and a link to your website. People who like your article and click on your link will be more ready to buy from you than a cold prospect.

2. Promote Affiliate Products

You can promote affiliate products in your author bio, and make commissions on all the sales you refer. Just register a domain name (so your link at the end of the article looks professional), and redirect it to your affiliate link.

3. Content Sites With Adsense

Use your articles to build content websites packed with useful information. Content websites are likely to get lots of free traffic from search engines. Place the Google Adsense advertisements on your pages, and get paid for each click.

4. Blogs

Start publishing a blog. Search engines love blogs because they are regularly updated with fresh content. Blogs tend to get a lot of traffic from search engines. Break-up your articles into smaller chunks and turn them into blog entries.

5. Mailing List

Collect your website visitors names and e-mail addresses – ask them to sign up for your newsletter. Regularly e-mail your articles to your newsletter subscribers, along with promotions for your website.

6. Information Products

When you accumulate enough articles, compile them into an e-book. Turn your articles into book chapters. Change a few things here and there, and you will have a new information product to sell.

7. Viral E-Books

Instead of selling the e-book that you made from your articles, you can also use a viral marketing approach. Add promotional copy to your e-book along with links to your website and affiliate links, and give it away. It will spread around the Internet like a virus, advertising your products and services and putting more money in your pocket.

Melanie Mendelson will show you how to write money-making articles in 30 minutes – even if you can’t write! Learn more about her 30 Minute Article Writing System at http://www.WriteArticles-GetWebsiteTraffic.com

Print on Demand or POD publishing isn’t for everyone. There are a number of pros as well as cons to consider before deciding to venture into the world of POD publishing and self-publishing.

The advantages or pros which I found to be a convincing argument to choose POD for my book GETTING OUT ALIVE are as follows:

1. Your book gets published on your timetable, not the timetable of a traditional publisher who may or may not have your best interests as a writer at heart.

2. You retain 100% of the rights to your book. You own the copyright, not the traditional publisher. You do what you like with your book, including publishing it with more than one POD publisher if you’d like and it doesn’t violate the rules of one the PODs you choose.

3. You choose what you want to make for royalties rather than having to negotiate this with a traditional publisher.

4. You choose what you want for the cover art of your book, you don’t have to rely on someone else’s idea of what artwork best describes the contents of your book.

5. Your book gets printed only if someone orders it, you don’t have boxes of your book sitting in your basement or attic getting eaten by moths or mice or destroyed by mold or mildew.

6. You don’t have to put out a large amount of money printing copies of your book.

7. You can sell your book from the web pages of your POD publisher(s) as well as your own website, this can give you more exposure.

The disadvantages or cons, some of which almost made me decide to continue trying to find a traditional publisher are listed below:

1. You are 100% responsible for marketing your book, no one else will do it for you, including your POD publisher. So, you must be willing to educate yourself on the finer points of marketing a book both on and off line.

2. You must be willing to pay your POD publisher a fee to get an ISBN number and to have your book listed with online bookstores such as Amazon.com If you are not willing to pay at least a small amount for these services then POD publishing may not be for you. However, there is one exception, Lulu.com by and far is the least expensive POD publisher around, and you can choose to publish your book absolutely free by not purchasing an ISBN number or getting your book onto the online bookstores, and just have it available through Lulu.com. The downside if you choose not pay anything though is less exposure for your book.

3. You are responsible for providing review copies of your book to reviewers, and to getting it to the reviewers within their time frame. Some will only accept copies of books that are about to be released, or have been released within the past three months. And some will only accept a print version rather than an e-book version. You will also find that some will not review POD and/or self-published titles. I didn’t discover this to be the case until after my book was released, and I found that some reviewers simply refused to review it once it was past the 90 day period after release, or refused to review it at all simply because it was POD published.

4. You are responsible for setting up book signings, and other such events. If you want to add these kinds of events to your marketing plan, you have to be willing to approach bookstores and other places that sell books and be confident in selling yourself and your book to the people in charge.

5. You are responsible for either creating, designing and printing your own marketing materials such bookmarks, business cards, brochures etc. or be willing to pay someone else to do so for you. Either way it is another expense, although personally I’ve found it to be more cost effective to design and print my own.

As I said before, POD is not for everyone, but if you are someone who doesn’t mind spending some money on your book for marketing, and education and you want to have total control of your book then POD can be a great solution to getting that completed manuscript out of your drawer, box, or computer and getting it out to the world.

Regina Paul is the author of the science fiction novel GETTING OUT ALIVE, and editor of the free bi-monthly writer’s e-zine Regina’s Universe. You can read the first chapter of her novel, sign up for her e-zine and find many other writer’s freebies at: http://www.reginapaul.bravehost.com

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters….

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

Sample Movie Deconstructed: Die Hard (1988)

Introduce the Hero and the Mentor; Mentor gives the Hero a Magical Gift [we meet John McClane on the aircraft; make fists with your toes].

Hero’s Status and Capabilities [he's a cop].

Hero on a Journey [with a teddy bear; to see his kids].

The World of the First Threshold [party at the Nakatomi corporation].

Meet the Romantic Challenge and the Shape Shifter [Holly and Harry]. Shape Shifter challenging the Hero for the affections of the Romantic Challenge [Harry hits on Holly].

Inner Challenge and other Allies [the kids want Daddy home; marital troubles]; Romantic Challenge referenced [good idea to make up the spare bed].

Hero views the World of the First Threshold ["California!"].

Meeting Allies [meeting Argyle].

Develop character of Allies [getting to know Argyle].

Back story of the Romantic Challenge [Argyle elicits John and Holly's back story].

Viewing the Inner Cave [John POV's the Nakatomi tower from outside].

Figure of Authority (Threshold Guardian) explains the rules of this New World [the security guard].

Entering the inner Cave [John enters the party].

Strange and Magical Creatures in the inner Cave [John looks around and meets the corporate suits].

Meeting Allies [John meets Joe Takagi and Harry].

Meeting his Romantic Challenge [Harry meets Holly].

Polarity between Hero and Romantic Challenge established ["show her the watch"].

Develop the relationship between Hero and his Romantic Challenge ["kids would love to have you at the house"].

Intercut: with:

Foreshadow of the Adventure [Karl et al on their way].

Enhance polarization between Hero and Romantic Challenge ["since when did you start using Miss Jeniro; change your idea of what our marriage should be…"].

Meeting the Antagonist [Hans et al arrive and take over the building].

Reminder of the Magical Aid ["fists woith your toes"].

Reminder of the Romantic Challenge [the picture of the kids].

Enhancing the Antagonism [the phone is cut off; John loses touch with Argyle].

Defining the characters of the Antagonist’s Team [Karl and his brother].

Call to Adventure [Hans et al shoot up the building and take hostages; John has to think.].

Meeting and developing the Antagonist [we meet charismatic Hans; nice suit; benefits of a classical education…]

Magnitude of the Outer Challenge developed [Hans kills Takagi].

Refusal of the Call ["this cannot be happening!"; John reacts to Takagi's death].

Near Death Experience. [John battles and kills Karl's brother].

Foreshadow of the future Near Death Experience ["now I have a machine gun"].

Antatgonist’s plan proceeds.

Foreshadow of the Road of Trials [John gets Hans' name].

Antagonist and Lieutenant relationship developed [Hans has to control Karl].

Resistance to the Physical Separation ["this is a restricted channel…"].

Meeting the Mentor [we meet Rod].

Conflict preventing the Physical Separation [John battles Karl on the roof].

John jumps to the other elevator shaft.

Karl almost shoots John in the air conditioning vent.

Meeting the Mentor [Al looks around].

Al shoots some more villains ["next time you want to kill someone.."]

Physical Separation [Al needs backup assistance..]

Meeting the Reporter: Thornburg.

Hero and antagonist confrontation [John and Karl communicate..]

Thorngburg wants the story.

Meeting the Oracle: Hans has lost the detonators.

Meeting the Mentor: John talks to Al.

Mentor’s challenge: Al’s boss turns up.

Antagonist and Romantic Challenge confrontation: Holly meets Hans.

Road of Trials 1: SWAT try to enter the building; RV blown up; John drops the explosives; the building blows.

Back story of the Antagonist.

Trial 2: Deputy Chief of Police confronts John ["I'm not the one who got butt fucked on national TV"]; “you hang in there..”].

Hero Mentor relationship development; reminder of the Inner Challenge: John and Al talk about their kids.

Trial 3: John tries to save Ellis.

Mentor’s challenge developed: Al confronts Dwain.

Journey to the Sword [Hans goes to get the explosives].

Foreshadow / Build up to the Master of two Worlds: the FBI arrive.

Seizing the Sword: John meets and confronts Hans upstairs.

Near Death Experience [John has to run over the glass].

Reward [Thornburg gets Mclane's family details].

Atonement and Apotheosis: Hans toys with the FBI; they’ll turn off the power and open the lock.

Refusal of the Return [resistance to shutting down the power grid].

Inner Challenge overcome [John tells Al he loves Holly].

Rescue from Without: John realizes they’re going to blow the roof; Karl catches John

Magic Flight [Hans runs; Agents Johnson in the helicopter].

Crossing the Return Threshold [FBI shoot John on the roof].

Master of the Two Worlds [Argyle punches out Han's Lieutenant; John confronts and kills Hans; the fall].

Freedom to Live: John meets Al outside. Romantic Challenge conquered [Holly calls herself Mrs McClane].

Final Catharses [John and Al shoot Karl; Holly punches Thornburg].

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/