Myth-Writing 101

1. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #41

   May I join the class? 

2. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #42

   Sssh! Better don't speak so aloud! Somebody might... wake up. :)
   
   This was an interesting thread, and I would love to see it continue. However, we need Professor Penguin or somebody of similar mythical qualities... I mean myth-writing qualities... which is a rare talent.
   
   In the mean time, if you have an idea, or a whole myth for us, by all means, join the class! Be welcome.

3. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #43

   Mister Fogrider.
   Nice of you to join us.
   Perhaps you've been hitting the snooze button?
   
   Let's get back to business... I still haven't seen many assignments cross my desk.

4. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #44

   I just made this post a little while ago - a short children's tale for my world. Unfortunately I did this before I read your post, so I haven't exactly mythalized it, but I still think it's a neat little story.
   
   http://www.rpgcitadel.com/guild/index.php/topic,2707.0.html

5. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #45

   Basic Character Theory: B. They're all samey. It's fine, in this case, you don't need to much in the character.
   
   Mythical Language: A. Good.
   
   Myth in General: B. Children's stories are myths, too! It's about magic, I see, which is an interesting source for a myth. Good.
   
   Myth Length/Myth Progression: A. Short but sweet, good sense of progression.
   
   Overall Myth Grade - B+. Good job.
   

6. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #46

   ::Nobody Raises his hand::
   
   Uh, Teacher, I kinda disagree with what you have been saying. I think that taking a long hard look at myths and legends, that all that fancy language isn't really needed. The archetypes are important, but I have to say that I think that the old english can actually take away from the work.
   
   I think that one of the key, defining aspects of a myth (although not always a qualification of ancient legends) is that it involves the Gods. Greek myths, roman myths, biblical myths, myths of every possible culture.
   
   I mean, the actual qualification of a myth (or ancient myths anyway. I don't think that Urban legends/myths really count here) is that it is very old, and that nobody believes it anymore. Thinking on our first qualification, we could look at the origin of these myths: Ancient culture.
   
   Since Ancient culture is usually low on science, they are high on religion. Human nature forces man to explain things like the weather, a seemingly random event, and other chaotic forces like illness, or random misfortunes. They explain these things by talking about how one was favored by the gods today, or how one had offended or insulted a god.
   
   So in all ancient myths we have a heavy usage of the gods. Notably, only gods, and medcine men/priests ever have any supernatural powers unless they were granted by the very gods themselves. I think this is a very important distinction that needs to be noticed.
   
   What do you think, professor Penguin?

7. Re: Myth-Writing 101

   #47

   Look on the door... Do you see the number? Yes, this is the beginner's class. Ahem. Think of that as the "beginner's key to banging out a legend". What you said is correct (for the most part... myths are not necessarily dealing with gods or religious concepts, but that is a good rule to run by), however, what I have presented (thus far) here is to get beginners with no idea how to write a myth into the myth-writing mode- to get them OUT of modern realist mode and into a more antiquated, stilted (poetic, if you will) style.

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