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.




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 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 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 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




Memo from the Story Department


Book Description

Picking up where his immensely successful The Writer's Journey left off, Christopher Vogler and his colleague, David McKenna, have produced an authoritative guide for structure and character development. Screenwriters, novelists, game designers and film students: this set of precision tools will take your story, step by step, through a quantum leap in writing quality--Back cover.




Devotional Journey into the Mass


Book Description

If you’re unhappy because the Mass has become for you routine – or even boring and tedious – these pages are for you. They teach you eight simple ways to make your every Mass a joyful time of piety and intense devotion. Explaining the spiritual meanings behind the signs and symbols, words and actions of the Mass, author Christopher Carstens teaches you spiritually-enriching ways to enter the church building, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the Opening Prayer, listen to the Readings, prepare your soul at the Offertory, participate in the Eucharistic Prayer, receive Communion, and even respond to the Dismissal. Soon – with the help of author Carstens wise suggestions – you will be surprised to find each Eucharistic Celebration a fountain of peace for you, a profound refreshment for your soul. Among other things you’ll learn from these pages: The meaning of the “sacramental principle”: if you don’t understand it, then Mass is almost surely flat for youHow each element of the Liturgy has a sacramental quality about it, and can be for you a grace-filled encounter with JesusHow to transform your prayers at Mass into a conversation with GodWhy silence – both within the liturgy and outside of it – is a necessary element of that conversation with GodThere’s a proper spiritual way to make the Sign of the Cross (do you know what it is?)How the Creed can be for you the highpoint of the Liturgy of the WordWhy, during the collection, you should also explicitly offer Christ your heartThe best way in the Mass to participate in Jesus’ saving work: do you know what it is?What you should desire in order to receive the Eucharist most efficaciously (and what that desire presupposes in you)Coming and going through the church doors: what, each time, it should mean for you spiritually Plus, at the end of each chapter, a list of action items for the next time you go to Mass, and much, much more to awaken in you the bright spirit of joyful devotion that we are all called to have at Mass.




Christopher's Story


Book Description

Part biography, part social commentary, and part cold case, a compelling tale of the author's descent into his son's problems and the madness of the perpetual dysfunction of the country's mental health system. There is an astonishing level of detail taken from reports, evaluations, and the author's own journal entries, as he records his frustration, heartbreak, as well as a fair amount of humor. The MH system appears as bureaucratic maze of incompetence and callousness more interested in collecting insurance payments and protecting itself from liability than in assisting others. The failure of the system in the case of the author's son has disastrous results. Physically abused at the age of one and a half by his own biological father, the subject of this book commits physical abuse to an infant twenty-one years later with fatal consequences. And just when readers have thought it couldn't get any worse, there is a twist at the end that is beyond belief. Staring when the boy was four, the author writes of his efforts to raise his son by himself. It is clear from the beginning that Christopher has emotional problems, and the author seeks help. However, the boy is continuously misdiagnosed as ADHD with the solution being to try another medication. Indications that the boy is brain-damaged are ignored for many years. In school learning takes a back seat to behavior management. Adolescence brings violence, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual advances, and turns in and out of placements. At a crucial stage where both father and son are pleading for help, the MH system does not even return phone calls. Throughout the emphasis is on the failure of the MH system rather than the possible shortcomings of individuals. Pseudonyms are used to maintain the focus on the system. The author concludes by citing crucial points in his son's life were opportunities for interventions were missed. He also cites long standard practices in the MH field that deflect accountability and keep the system inefficient. Recommendations for changes in the system are made. In the book's final passage, the author citing a case of a student in the last year in which the recommendations by the MH system are totally inappropriate for the student. Keywords: Mental Health, Medication, Counseling, Brain Damage, Special Education, ADHD, Psychological Evaluation, Bender-Gestalt, Rubisch, MRI