The Writer's Journey


Book Description

The Writer's Journey is an insider's guide to how master storytellers from Hitchcock to Spielberg have used mythic structure to create powerful stories. This new edition includes analyses of latest releases such as The Full Monty.




The Job Pirate


Book Description

From the porn magazine to the moving truck to the dark sewers of California, Brandon Christopher’s journey in the American job market is not only absurd, but also full of wit and profound observations. He steps out from behind the driver’s wheel, the cash register, and the office desk to record the lighter and darker sides of humanity in the workplace. Christopher’s tale makes even the most mundane job seem fascinating and the most exciting career appear hum-drum and hollow. The Job Pirate strips off the façade of the average employee to see what is hidden underneath: “That new employee that you see hanging his vintage blazer onto the backrest of his swivel chair is me. My cubicle is right next to yours. I don’t say much, I dine alone, I drink a lot of coffee, and I know my legal right to two cigarettes in an 8-hour workday. And yes, you were right, I’m not really the Marketing Strategist that I told the boss I was. But I’m sitting here in this cubicle, and the resume that got me this job is in my attaché case right beside me. It clearly states that I have more than enough experience to run this company’s entire advertising department and I’ll be here between three weeks and a year, so you better get used to the idea.” Often hilarious and sometimes profound, Christopher’s stories take us through the offices, department stores and kiosks of the West Coast. We ride along with him as he chauffeurs the famous, the dead and sometimes just their furniture. Christopher gives us an irreverent inside glimpse into the work life of the people we see everyday. Even though at times he exhibits moral ambiguity, we find ourselves rooting for him against all the odds because we can see our own struggles in his attempts to acclimate. We can all relate to this story of selling our soul to the company store and then buying it back for pennies on the dollar, just to have that one more day of freedom.




A Pilot's Journey


Book Description

The excellence of the Tuskegee Airmen as a group during World War II is undisputed. Theirs is an amazing story of leadership, unbounded; of future generals, U.S. Cabinet members, mayors of major cities, judges, college presidents, doctors -- out of a group of less than 1,000 men. A Pilot's Journey examines the life of a Tuskegee Airman, Curtis Robinson, up close before he arrived at Tuskegee and after he climbed out of the cockpit at the end of World War II and continued to strive and enjoy success as well as profound losses yet never ceased, "believing in God and myself to guide me in the right direction." And not only does he have a remarkable and fascinating history that he tells, but he is the descendant of a family of high achievers that he traces back to the 1730s, with five previous generations on American soil. His family's story depicts, without rancor or judgment, shameful aspects of American history and the amazing struggles and achievements of one African-American family. Curtis Robinson is unique, accomplished, and of an indomitable spirit and magnaminous nature, whose "Love thy neighbor and do unto others as you will have them do unto you" approach to life is rooted in his belief that, "If you live by those rules you're bound to have a good life."--Jacket.




Out of a Far Country


Book Description

Over 100,000 copies sold! Coming Out, Then Coming Home Christopher Yuan, the son of Chinese immigrants, discovered at an early age that he was different. He was attracted to other boys. As he grew into adulthood, his mother, Angela, hoped to control the situation. Instead, she found that her son and her life were spiraling out of control—and her own personal demons were determined to defeat her. Years of heartbreak, confusion, and prayer followed before the Yuans found a place of complete surrender, which is God’s desire for all families. Their amazing story, told from the perspectives of both mother and son, offers hope for anyone affected by homosexuality. God calls all who are lost to come home to him. Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” - Luke 15:20 Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use.




Christopher's Story Is a Journey of Suicide, Grief, Loss, and Hope


Book Description

Christropher Cothran's suicide changed the lives of his family, forever. His Mother and author, Jennifer, shares her journey from grief, experiencing loss, to the peaceful place of hope. The Cothran family shares this painful journey in order to help other families who are experiencing grief.




Christopher's Journey


Book Description

Poignant and bittersweet, Christopher's Journey is the true story of a remarkable young man's battle with leukemia and the lives that he touches along the way. Author Maribeth Ditmars chronicles her son Christopher's chemotherapy treatments, his irrepressible antics, and finally, his insightful acceptance of his own illness. "Maribeth Ditmars writes with a special sense of humor so reminiscent of Chris. Her understanding of the critical need for laughter during such difficult times is a valuable message to all who read her words. Chris's story, as told from a mother's perspective, will be helpful to others as they journey through treatment, recovery, and sometimes loss." -Anna Maria Gentile, Regional Director, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society "I was incredibly moved by this story. It made me go home and hug my kids. Although I cried several times during the reading, I never wanted to stop. I was in awe of Chris's spirituality, acceptance, and peace. Christopher's Journey is a beautiful book." -Susan Burns, Sarasota Magazine "Christopher's Journey gives voice to those children's physical and emotional struggles endured during treatment. This book will be a valuable tool for anyone who is touched by a child's courageous fight against cancer." -Jerry Barbosa, MD, Director, Pediatric Oncology, All Children's Hospital




The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time


Book Description

A bestselling modern classic—both poignant and funny—narrated by a fifteen year old autistic savant obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, this dazzling novel weaves together an old-fashioned mystery, a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a fascinating excursion into a mind incapable of processing emotions. Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. At fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbour’s dog Wellington impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing. Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer, and turns to his favourite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As Christopher tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, the narrative draws readers into the workings of Christopher’s mind. And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotions. The effect is dazzling, making for one of the freshest debut in years: a comedy, a tearjerker, a mystery story, a novel of exceptional literary merit that is great fun to read.




The Journey of Little Charlie


Book Description

The Newberry Medalist brings humor and heart to this story of a Civil War–era boy struggling to do right in the face of history’s cruelest evils. Twelve-year-old Charlie is down on his luck: His sharecropper father just died, and Cap’n Buck—the most fearsome man in Possum Moan, South Carolina—has come to collect a debt. Fearing for his life, Charlie strikes a deal with Cap’n Buck and agrees to track down some folks accused of stealing from the cap’n and his boss. It’s not too bad of a bargain for Charlie . . . until he comes face-to-face with the fugitives and discovers their true identities. Torn between his guilty conscience and his survival instinct, Charlie needs to figure out his next move—and soon. It’s only a matter of time before Cap’n Buck catches on. Praise for The Journey of Little Charlie A National Book Award Finalist “This is a compelling and ugly story for middle-grade readers told with genuine care. Little Charlie is a product of his Southern upbringing, yet in Curtis’s skillful hands he learns the world is not as he’d thought . . . Christopher Paul Curtis does it again.” —Historical Novel Society “A characteristically lively and complex addition to the historical fiction of the era from Curtis.” —Kirkus Reviews




The Writer's Journey - 25th Anniversary Edition


Book Description

Originally an influential memo Vogler wrote for Walt Disney Animation executives regarding The Lion King, The Writer's Journey details a twelve-stage, myth-inspired method that has galvanized Hollywood's treatment of cinematic storytelling. A format that once seldom deviated beyond a traditional three-act blueprint, Vogler's comprehensive theory of story structure and character development has met with universal acclaim, and is detailed herein using examples from myths, fairy tales, and classic movies. This book has changed the face of screenwriting worldwide over the last 25 years, and continues to do so.




The Entrepreneur's Journey


Book Description

If you spend enough time working with startups, certain recurring themes emerge. This book explores key themes by telling the stories of 17 different companies. The authors have chosen specific startups to illustrate: 1) The challenges of driving customer awareness 2) The importance of founding teams 3) The hurdles of investing in hardware products 4) The fateful role timing plays in the outcome of startups 5) The difficulties startups face getting acquired Lord, Mirabile and Mandato have been founders, senior management team members, or board members for over three dozen early stage companies. Collectively, they have decades of startup investing experience in hundreds of companies. It is rare to find so much startup experience in one concise volume, and the fascinating narrative stories of these startups and their founders make for a very enjoyable way to acquire this collective wisdom.