View source for Neal's Essential Story Elements

==Favorite Archetypes==
#Reluctant Hero
#Wise Old Mentor (who dies at critical juncture)
#''Two'' Villains (i.e. Satan & Antichrist; Darth Vader & Emperor) Greater evil remains hidden until later in the story.  Lesser evil bears mark of outward deformity symbolic of inner.
#Harrowing of Hell / Exile in Wilderness / Death & Rebirth
#Heroic Quest
#Hermit / Oracle / Soothsayer (possibly blind)
#Bard / Wandering Minstrel / Storyteller (possibly blind)
#"Home" as a value / Simple way of life / Dream
#Father/Son Relationships
#The Broken Sword Reforged

==Favorite Plot Devices==
#Riddles to Solve
#Party is split up into smaller "questing" groups
#Chapter endings are cliffhangers

==Favorite Themes==
#Search for God / Spirituality / Truth
#Simple Life vs. Industrialism
#Courage in Spite of Fate/Odds
#E.O.R. (Education, Opportunity, Responsibility)
#Supernatural Power of Words (books, poetry, song, lore, creation, etc.)