Neal's Essential Story Elements

Favorite Archetypes

1. Reluctant Hero
2. Wise Old Mentor (who dies at critical juncture)
3. 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.
4. Harrowing of Hell / Exile in Wilderness / Death & Rebirth
5. Heroic Quest
6. Hermit / Oracle / Soothsayer (possibly blind)
7. Bard / Wandering Minstrel / Storyteller (possibly blind)
8. "Home" as a value / Simple way of life / Dream
9. Father/Son Relationships
10. The Broken Sword Reforged

Favorite Plot Devices:

1. Riddles to Solve
2. Party is split up into smaller "questing" groups
3. Chapter endings are cliffhangers

Favorite Themes:

1. Search for God / Spirituality / Truth
2. Simple Life vs. Industrialism
3. Courage in Spite of Fate/Odds
4. E.O.R. (Education, Opportunity, Responsibility)
5. Supernatural Power of Words (books, poetry, song, lore, creation, etc.)