Myth & Magic: New Topic & New Challenge 06/20-- Truth & Myth

Welcome to the Myth & Magic Resource, Discussion, Challenge and Index thread.

[b]Purpose:[/b]
The purpose of this thread is to discuss utilization of Myth, Magic and Religion in writing. Specifically as it relates to Star Wars. Now I'm not talking about Myth in the way that Star Wars is a modern myth for today, but myth as it deals as a plot device.

Likewise, if you have any stories which Myths are utilized we can add them to the Index here. If you want your story indexed, then PM this sock with the usual information:

[blockquote]Title: {link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=000000]My Story Title[/link]
Author: A Fine Author
Timeframe: Timeframe
Characters: Character list
Summary: My summary[/blockquote]



[hr]
[b]Current Topic:[/b]
Most myths have at least a kernel of truth to them, or at least are an attempt by a people to discern the truth. How do you think, we are to retrieve those truths out of myths and relate them to today's society. How do you think other folks did.

As an exercise, talk about your favorite myth, and what you think the kernel of truth it contains.

[hr]
[b]Current Challenge:[/b]
And the challenge is (thks to CodyMonKenobi!): Take a random SW myth and add bits of truth to it, to make the myth reality. What that means, is for you to define, my only rule is that the story must have "Myth & Magic Challenge int the title (or M&M Challenge if you so prefer).

When you've posted (or begun to) post a reply in here.


[hr]
[b]Resources: [/b]
[link=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Religion]SW Religions[/link]
[link=http://www.pantheon.org/mythica.html]Encyclopedia Mythica[/link]
[link=http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html]Heroes Journey[/link]>

 

Previous Discussion Topics:

 

Challenge Index: [i]An Ewok Shaman has found the burned remains of Vader's Armor and builds a cult around it.
The Rules:
1) 1000+ words
2) The above situation has to be a main part of the story
3) Must include the following words: fungus, shaman, epiphytes
4) Include "Myth & Magic Challenge" in the subject.[/i]
[blockquote][link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=25044402]The Lonely God[/link] by [link=http://boards.theforce.net/ASP/user.asp?usr=1162416]Idrelle_Miocovani[/link]
[link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25105076]Vaderology[/link] by [link=http://boards.theforce.net/ASP/user.asp?usr=1229794] Jade_Pilot[/link]
[link=http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/25144666/p1/?0]Dark Father[/link] by [link=http://boards.theforce.net/user.asp?usr=1067681]VaderLVR64 [/link] [/blockquote]
[hr][b]Challenge #2[/b]
[i]The [link=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Firrerreo]Firrerreo[/link] as a people, tried to not tell one another their names, as they believed that someone could own other individual's names. The new challenge is to write a 1000+ word entry dealing with that concept, and touch on why they believe the way they do regarding names (myth building!).

must include the words: immortal, deity, consanguinity, axiom
must have "Myth & Magic Challenge" in the title (or M&M Challenge if you so prefer)[/i]
[blockquote][link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.topic=25351048]Her Name[/link] by [link=http://boards.theforce.net/ASP/user.asp?usr=705887]NYCitygurl[/link][/blockquote]
[hr][b]Challenge #3[/b]
[i]Shapeshifters, werewolves, [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encantado]Encantado[/link]. Myths throughout the world have shapeshifting creatures, ready to take advantage of the unwary. Of particular note, the Encantado, Amazonian river dolphins who transform into humans are still listed on numerous birth certificates as a father.

This challenge is to write a vignette or short story where someone is seduced by a shapeshifter. What they're seduced into doing is up to you so have some fun with it....

must include the words: beguile, allure, corrupt, pervert
must have "Myth & Magic Challenge" in the title (or M&M Challenge if you so prefer)[/i]

[hr][b]Challenge #4[/b]
[i]Fairy Tales are a part of our collective childhoods - and for a lot of us, so is Star Wars. With that in mind, we're going to write a Fairy Tale. There's not going to be any required lengths/words/etc this time around. But here are the requirements:

The Fairy Tale can be either a retelling of a classical fairy tale using Star Wars characters/scenarios or you can create your own fairy tale using the Star Warriors. If you decide to create your own it needs to contain the usual elements found within a Fairy Tale (things such as a Wicked Step-Mother or talking beasties). And as always must have "Myth & Magic Challenge int he title (or M&M Challenge if you so prefer).[/i]
>

 

Story Index
Before the Saga
[blockquote]
Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=24599924]The Living Gift[/link]
Author: VaderLVR64
Characters: Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, OCs
Genre: drama, philosophy
Summary: A mission is more than it seems, and in the midst of it all, Obi-Wan learns a lesson that will forever change him.

[/blockquote]


The Saga
[blockquote]
Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=24848195]Tales of Tatooine: Vignette #1 [/link]
Author: Jade Pilot
Timeframe: Pre-ANH
Characters: Luke, Biggs, Mala(OC)
Summary: Luke and Biggs sneak off with some other boys to the old watcher woman's cave in the Jundland wastes. [/blockquote]

Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=24767152]A Little Prickly[/link]
Author: Persephone_Kore, Dreagoddess
Timeframe: between AotC and RotS; in EU terms, sometime after Yoda: Dark Rendezvous and before Labyrinth of Evil
Characters: Dooku, Scout, Yoda
Summary: Count Dooku is turned into a hedgehog.
Notes: This is a sort of crossover-in-passing; Chao the Transcendent Pig, appearing mostly as a plot device, is from the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. He may not be perfectly in character here, but we hope that he would at least be amused by the role. Knowledge of the Young Wizards series is not really necessary to read the story.



Beyond the Saga
[blockquote]
Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.aspx?topic=23349451]The Flickering Candle I: The Lord of Chaos[/link]
Author: NYCitygurl
Timeframe: well, the first story in this series was a post-RS AU, and this is twenty or so years later
Characters: Solos, Skywalkers, Fels, Antilles, OCs, and anyone else I randomly decide to add.
Summary: A new threat has entered the galaxy, the Jedi must stop it, you know the drill.

Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=16152874]Starkiller and Skywalker[/link]
Author: Thrawn McEwok
Timeframe:
Characters:
Summary:

Title: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24909454]Sith Wars: Book 1 - Emergence [/link]
Author: WyoJedi
Timeframe: 30 ABY (Prologue takes place immediately following ROTJ)
Characters: Jaina Solo, Darth Revan, Mara Jade, Han Solo, various others
Summary: Following the Yuuzhan Vong War, a new enemy arises to threaten the galaxy... the ancient Sith Lord, Darth Revan
[/blockquote]

 

I love mythology and Magic so I?m in.

How do you build or use mythological structures for your stories?

Well, since I love it, I do use it a lot, although, yet I haven?t used it as a foundation of a story, but I have the feeling that I will.

 

Aye, I love myths myself as well .

Likewise i've not written a story where utilizing a mythological/magical structure (outside of the Force) makes sense. But I know that I have seen others do it.

And i'm interested in how other writers would build things like pantheons...

 

One thing I suppose I can mention here is my 'fic [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=16152874]Starkiller and Skywalker[/link], which is deliberately inspired by real-world medieval tales, and may also owe something to Lawrence of Arabia.

I knew from the start that I was wanting to write a sort of "myth", but I can't remember how clearly I planned the structure in my head, or how much it developed organically and impressionistically. One thing I was conscious of was that the purpose of a myth like this is explanatory, providing an explanation for the context in which it is told - so all sorts of little explanations are incorporated in the text, either explicit or implicit, and even things that might be political agendas for the author...

And since the myth is about organizing ideas and perceptions, that "mythic", organizational quality extends to motifs in a literary sense as well as an explanatory one - the rhythmic quality of repetition and variation through the 'fic (as with the "three things" lines, or the genealogies, both in their recurrence and their internal assonance) the careful statements of alternatives...

At least, that's how I rationalize it...

Approaching from a completely different angle, you can also see the delineation of the Campbellian [link=http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html]Hero's Journey[/link] in this 'fic, though with some tweaks, partially created by the variations in the story around Leia...

Oh, and another thing. The fact I used Mara's Tatooine name of Aricia was a shameless [link=http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/frazer/gb00101.htm]reference[/link] to [link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Bough]The Golden Bough[/link]...

I might be back later, with something on Marakin, or on Dark Paths...

- The Imperial Ewok

 

I'm so glad this is up!! I love mythology, and I decided to use Greek mythology pretty heavily in a fic of mine. It's fun to combine worlds like that.

 

Thrawn McEwok
One thing I suppose I can mention here is my 'fic [link=http://boards.theforce.net/message.asp?topic=16152874]Starkiller and Skywalker[/link], which is deliberately inspired by real-world medieval tales, and may also owe something to Lawrence of Arabia.
yes! Exactly! That story reads like a myth. Like it could be a myth within the SW universe. Wonderful!!

I knew from the start that I was wanting to write a sort of "myth", but I can't remember how clearly I planned the structure in my head, or how much it developed organically and impressionistically. One thing I was conscious of was that the purpose of a myth like this is explanatory, providing an explanation for the context in which it is told - so all sorts of little explanations are incorporated in the text, either explicit or implicit, and even things that might be political agendas for the author...
*nods* again, exactly!!

And since the myth is about organizing ideas and perceptions, that "mythic", organizational quality extends to motifs in a literary sense as well as an explanatory one - the rhythmic quality of repetition and variation through the 'fic (as with the "three things" lines, or the genealogies, both in their recurrence and their internal assonance) the careful statements of alternatives...
telling a truth, that the people don't know how to explain....it's ....comforting to the reader...rhythms and repititions, "I Have a bad feeling about this." "May the Force be with you."

there'san idea there on the tip of my tongue....

I might be back later, with something on Marakin, or on Dark Paths...
come back soon!



NYCitygurl
I'm so glad this is up!! I love mythology, and I decided to use Greek mythology pretty heavily in a fic of mine. It's fun to combine worlds like that.
I'm glad as well....

 

My concept of Tatootine is a place steeped in myth and folklore. That's why I wanted to write
[link=http://boards.theforce.net/t/b1/24848195]Tales of Tatooine[/link] .

I like to speculate that there is a strong spirituality on Tatooine based on the two suns that are so prevalent in their culture. Along with that would be the beliefs of the Sand People and also the Force itself.

Sometimes in cultures so diverse, you get a blending of folklore and beliefs that make themselves known through stories and rituals that are passed down from generation to generation. That's how I imagine Tatooine to be.

 

I don't have anything to add myself, other than I'll be watching this thread and I think it's a really cool and original idea I also can't help but smile at the idea of an Ewok shaman and can't wait to read those fics

 

This is such a neat idea! While I haven't conciously mixed in various mythology and folklore into my fics (you never know, I could have done it without knowing ), I've been meaning to write something based around various mythologies for a while. It's one of my stray bunnies that I'll be calling home... oh, sometime next year, or whenever I'm done one of my current WIPs.

As for the challenge... eeeeeeeek, plot bunny already! Ewok Shamans rock.

 

Jade_Pilot
My concept of Tatootine is a place steeped in myth and folklore. That's why I wanted to write
[link=http://boards.theforce.net/t/b1/24848195]Tales of Tatooine[/link] .
PERFECT!! Please send that to the sock so it can be indexed. That's the type of stories I set this thing up for...

I like to speculate that there is a strong spirituality on Tatooine based on the two suns that are so prevalent in their culture. Along with that would be the beliefs of the Sand People and also the Force itself.

Sometimes in cultures so diverse, you get a blending of folklore and beliefs that make themselves known through stories and rituals that are passed down from generation to generation. That's how I imagine Tatooine to be.
Great points here, and I think it makes a lot of sense. Too often we get so caught in the action that we forget aobut the backstory, and Myth & Magic definitely helps us with backstory




YodaKenobi
I don't have anything to add myself, other than I'll be watching this thread and I think it's a really cool and original idea I also can't help but smile at the idea of an Ewok shaman and can't wait to read those fics
Thanks for stopping by YK!

And I can't wait to see an Ewok shaman as well....why don't you try out the challenge??




Idrelle_Miocovani
This is such a neat idea! While I haven't conciously mixed in various mythology and folklore into my fics (you never know, I could have done it without knowing ), I've been meaning to write something based around various mythologies for a while. It's one of my stray bunnies that I'll be calling home... oh, sometime next year, or whenever I'm done one of my current WIPs.
Thanks! I can't wait for that stray bunny to make it home...

As for the challenge... eeeeeeeek, plot bunny already! Ewok Shamans rock.
yippie!! I can't wait for your entry!!!




Healer_Leona
Excellent thread M & M.
Thanks Leona!!!

I look forward to the responses to the challenge as well
most assuredly! Will you be trying it out?

 

Actually, the fic I have planned for after I'm done with my two current WIPs involves myth and magic quite a bit. So by February you should get a PM from me about it.

Though I might start it early if I develop writer's block on those WIPs. . .

As for that challenge, I actually have an idea. You might see it soon.

 

I felt like exercising my muse today while I was taking a break from homework. Here's my entry: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25044402&brd=10477]The Lonely God[/link]. I wrote it in 45 minutes.

 

rebel_cheese
Actually, the fic I have planned for after I'm done with my two current WIPs involves myth and magic quite a bit. So by February you should get a PM from me about it.
sounds like grand fun!!

Though I might start it early if I develop writer's block on those WIPs. . .
reasonable...

As for that challenge, I actually have an idea. You might see it soon.
ooo...i cannae wait!!!


Idrelle_Miocovani
I felt like exercising my muse today while I was taking a break from homework. Here's my entry: [link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25044402&brd=10477]The Lonely God[/link]. I wrote it in 45 minutes. [/quote]
the first challenge entry!!! yippie!! And I must say you did great on it!

 

How do you build or use mythological structures for your stories?

I gather influence from as many of the mythos from our history as I can possibly stand at one time, then combine them together several times until a different and unique set of myths emerge for a particular culture. It usually comes about unconsciously...very little of what pops up in my mythic-related material is done from conscious writing or planning.

For one particular culture, I didn't even use any established myths. I simply took the concept of dream interpretation and made it into an ancient society of dream intrepreters using symbols established over time. The symbols come from that planet's own legends, but really are based more on Jungian archetypes.

 

we got some more items for the index! Keep 'em coming

I like the thought of using more recent things such as Jungian archetypes to base a planet's legends on. Me when I considered it, I used a hodepodge of classical myths, greek, babylonian, viking, etc. While these do make good fodder for such, focusing entirely on them does preclude the use of more recent theories such as Jungian or even Fruedian archetypes..

Wonderful idea there leiamoody!!

 

A great resource is The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, especially for those interested in this topic.

There's also a neat little book by DK called The Power of Myth that illustrates how Star Wars is a prime example of an archetype myth. A lovely little book!

 

I like looking for subtle mythological/religious references in fanfiction. I'm currently writing a fic with many Nietzchean (is that even a word?), Gnostic, and Christian influences.

 

Well here is my response to the challenge, not quite how I imagined it to turn out. [link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25105076&brd=10477]Vaderology[/link]


JP

 

It turned out awesome, Jade_Pilot! Love the title, too.

 

VaderLVR64
A great resource is The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell, especially for those interested in this topic.

There's also a neat little book by DK called The Power of Myth that illustrates how Star Wars is a prime example of an archetype myth. A lovely little book!
aye...i've read both of those books and they're great....

wish they had free online copies


Healer_Leona
Just peeking in to see if there's more viggies I've missed.
there is now....or better yet why don't you write a challenge entry for us??



CherryLightsaber
I like looking for subtle mythological/religious references in fanfiction. I'm currently writing a fic with many Nietzchean (is that even a word?), Gnostic, and Christian influences.
As do I....and even looking for it in profic as well.


and Nietzchean is psuedo word. Similiar to Jungian Psychology in honor of Jung.




Jade_Pilot
Well here is my response to the challenge, not quite how I imagined it to turn out. [link=http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=25105076&brd=10477]Vaderology[/link]
well if it was how you imagined it or not, I think it turned out wonderfully...and a great title as well....