Marc Estes's Blog
May 14, 2015
The Threshold Guardian
In continuing my posts about Christopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey, I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the Threshold Guardian.
All of our favorite books and movies have them, so what exactly are the threshold guardians? They are usually the right hand man to your antogaonist. They are the the Igors, the Salacious Crumbs, the Smees, and many others just to name a few.
I really started looking into this character when writing Rekindle the Flame. Although there were more than one Threshold Guardians in Four Pieces For Power, Rekindle the Flame gave me an opportunity to really play with one of my favorites to date.
Juan Carlos is the primary threshold guardian in Reindle the Flame.Im not going to sit here and give away some of the secrets of the book, but suffice to say, Juan Carlos does a great job of bumbling every move Andrew Correo (our Protagonist) takes in the name of the novels antagonist, who shall remain unnamed for now. :)
To put this idea in better context, lets look at a more well known Threshold Guardian, Darth Vader from Star Wars. Now some of you may be sitting back and saying "Wait a minute! Darth Vader was the Antagonist!!! Everyone knows that." Well let's think about this for a minute. Everyone that knows Star Wars and the whole philosophy of the Sith knows that there is always a Master and an Apprentice.
Now as much as I hate to burst your bubble, Darth Vader was only the Apprentice. Granted he was a state of the art apprentice, but an apprentice nonetheless. He was the tool of the Emperor to do whatever he could to stand in the way of the the Rebel Alliance and maintain the status quo of the Empire.
Now these threshold guardians can make or break a storyline. They are, afterall, the draw bridge or the massive wall that usually stands between the Protagonist and Antagonist. He or she needs to be created with care because, as we all know, the chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. If you have a weak threshold guardian(s), the quest to beat the antagonist can be really short.
So next time you sit down to write, identify your threshold guardian and craft him as creatively as Darth Vader and you will, most likely, not go wrong. most important, have fun with your writing and your readers will likely have fun too.
For more of my posts on this and other topics, please visit my web site marcestes.net and please check out my award winning book series while you are there.
All of our favorite books and movies have them, so what exactly are the threshold guardians? They are usually the right hand man to your antogaonist. They are the the Igors, the Salacious Crumbs, the Smees, and many others just to name a few.
I really started looking into this character when writing Rekindle the Flame. Although there were more than one Threshold Guardians in Four Pieces For Power, Rekindle the Flame gave me an opportunity to really play with one of my favorites to date.
Juan Carlos is the primary threshold guardian in Reindle the Flame.Im not going to sit here and give away some of the secrets of the book, but suffice to say, Juan Carlos does a great job of bumbling every move Andrew Correo (our Protagonist) takes in the name of the novels antagonist, who shall remain unnamed for now. :)
To put this idea in better context, lets look at a more well known Threshold Guardian, Darth Vader from Star Wars. Now some of you may be sitting back and saying "Wait a minute! Darth Vader was the Antagonist!!! Everyone knows that." Well let's think about this for a minute. Everyone that knows Star Wars and the whole philosophy of the Sith knows that there is always a Master and an Apprentice.
Now as much as I hate to burst your bubble, Darth Vader was only the Apprentice. Granted he was a state of the art apprentice, but an apprentice nonetheless. He was the tool of the Emperor to do whatever he could to stand in the way of the the Rebel Alliance and maintain the status quo of the Empire.
Now these threshold guardians can make or break a storyline. They are, afterall, the draw bridge or the massive wall that usually stands between the Protagonist and Antagonist. He or she needs to be created with care because, as we all know, the chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. If you have a weak threshold guardian(s), the quest to beat the antagonist can be really short.
So next time you sit down to write, identify your threshold guardian and craft him as creatively as Darth Vader and you will, most likely, not go wrong. most important, have fun with your writing and your readers will likely have fun too.
For more of my posts on this and other topics, please visit my web site marcestes.net and please check out my award winning book series while you are there.
The Mentor
Christopher Vogler and Michele Montez have put out a book that I recommend to anyone that asks me for a good book about writing.
The Writer's Journey, in my opinion, needs to be in every writer's collection. For those of you who rememeber Joseph Campbell, this book basically puts his "Hero With A Thousand Faces" in to language that is MUCH more understandable.
The Writer's Journey takes the time to outline all the aspects and ingredients that need to be in a story to make the story an epic success. We all know about the Protagonist and the Antagonist, but there are many more cast members in a story that make the story come alive. This book identifies them all. One character I have always been partial to is the Mentor.
Mentors, in most cases are that guide and inspiration for the protagonist. In many cases, they are the ones that help convince the protagonist to go on his quest that is the backbone of the story. Probably two of the best examples of this would be Merlin and Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi.
Now if you are a writer and have never heard of these people, you have probably been living under a rock. The list of mentors in literature goes on and on and if a book or movie has ever become a classic, it has one. So how do we develop this mentor into a character that will be remembered like Merlin?
Now keep in mind this blog, and most everything I write, are from my experience and opinion. In order to answer the above question, I like to look at what the mentor represents. He represents motivation and knowledge.
If you think about it, the mentor character has the experience and life lessons behind him to know what can and can't be accomplished. He knows what to say and when it needs to be said. Now when it comes ot storyline, who does this paralell? The author.
Who knows better where the story is going to go? Who knows all the secrets and twists and turns that are presented to all the characters as the story progresses? Who knows how the protagonist will eventually win the treasure he or she is after? The AUTHOR.
I look at the mentor as a way for the author to be IN the story. As an author, we have the unique chance to to be a part of the book through the eyes of one of our characters. We make the decisions as to who is going to know what and when. Because of this, I feel that the mentor is one of the most unique and creative characters you could have.
If you get a chance, look back over some of your writing and identify your mentors and pick them apart. See what makes them tick. and read the Writer's Journey.
To read more on this and other topics, please check out my webpage at marcestes.net. While you are there, check out my award winning Vendicatori Series.
The Writer's Journey, in my opinion, needs to be in every writer's collection. For those of you who rememeber Joseph Campbell, this book basically puts his "Hero With A Thousand Faces" in to language that is MUCH more understandable.
The Writer's Journey takes the time to outline all the aspects and ingredients that need to be in a story to make the story an epic success. We all know about the Protagonist and the Antagonist, but there are many more cast members in a story that make the story come alive. This book identifies them all. One character I have always been partial to is the Mentor.
Mentors, in most cases are that guide and inspiration for the protagonist. In many cases, they are the ones that help convince the protagonist to go on his quest that is the backbone of the story. Probably two of the best examples of this would be Merlin and Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi.
Now if you are a writer and have never heard of these people, you have probably been living under a rock. The list of mentors in literature goes on and on and if a book or movie has ever become a classic, it has one. So how do we develop this mentor into a character that will be remembered like Merlin?
Now keep in mind this blog, and most everything I write, are from my experience and opinion. In order to answer the above question, I like to look at what the mentor represents. He represents motivation and knowledge.
If you think about it, the mentor character has the experience and life lessons behind him to know what can and can't be accomplished. He knows what to say and when it needs to be said. Now when it comes ot storyline, who does this paralell? The author.
Who knows better where the story is going to go? Who knows all the secrets and twists and turns that are presented to all the characters as the story progresses? Who knows how the protagonist will eventually win the treasure he or she is after? The AUTHOR.
I look at the mentor as a way for the author to be IN the story. As an author, we have the unique chance to to be a part of the book through the eyes of one of our characters. We make the decisions as to who is going to know what and when. Because of this, I feel that the mentor is one of the most unique and creative characters you could have.
If you get a chance, look back over some of your writing and identify your mentors and pick them apart. See what makes them tick. and read the Writer's Journey.
To read more on this and other topics, please check out my webpage at marcestes.net. While you are there, check out my award winning Vendicatori Series.
March 6, 2015
New twitter and Webpage
You can now also follow me on Twitter
@vendicatori33
and please visit my new website:
http://estesmarcw.wix.com/author-page
Marc
@vendicatori33
and please visit my new website:
http://estesmarcw.wix.com/author-page
Marc
February 18, 2015
Book Clubbers
Hi Everyone. Four Pieces For Power has just been listed on a new book club reading site.
Here is the link
http://bookclubreading.com/four-piece...
Here is the link
http://bookclubreading.com/four-piece...
February 15, 2015
New Review From US REVIEW OF BOOKS
Hi everyone. I am excited to announce that my debut novel. Four Pieces For Power has just received a great review from The US Review of Books. It has also earned the Gold Seal for Literary Excellence and a nomination for the Eric Hoffer Award. I want to thank everyone that has read and left reviews of my work and urge others to check it out before the second book in the series is released in March. Get in on the Secrets!
Here is the review :
reviewed by Anita Lock
"Both shared in the amazement of how two complete strangers could become such bitter enemies without even a single exchange of words."
Andrew Correo learns the truth about his deceased grandfather and the involvement he had with the Vendicatori, a powerful organization developed to protect the Correo family's fortune. But in order for Andrew to claim his inheritance as the next Correo heir, he must compete in a challenge against Robert Stavero, an unknown contender and master of disguises. The object of the challenge is for the winner to procure all four pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the "final destination, and the largest prize in the world." Questions remain whether or not Andrew can keep this perilous competition a secret from his sister and mother, as well as outwit his maleficent opponent.
Awarding winning writer Marc Estes has produced a suspenseful story that has a James Bond feel to it. The first in a series of Vendicatori novels, Estes' third person narrative is a rapidly paced page-turner filled with un-hackneyed character scenes between his sister's upcoming wedding; the contest and Andrew's nerve-racking encounters with Robert, his maniacal antagonist; a bit of romance; and other supporting characters—a few that may seem harmless now but could easily turn into future villains in subsequent sequels. Aside of the constant influx of juxtaposed scenes, Estes not only draws readers into the plot's action, but also into the lives of a well-developed cast that goes beyond Andrew, Estes' principal character. Good examples are Brad whose mother and sister were brutally murdered and Jenna who has a thing for Andrew. Estes' thriller closes with a mind-boggling cliffhanger. Earmarked to be a best-seller, there is no doubt that Four Pieces For Power will keep readers on edge till the very end.
Here is the review :
reviewed by Anita Lock
"Both shared in the amazement of how two complete strangers could become such bitter enemies without even a single exchange of words."
Andrew Correo learns the truth about his deceased grandfather and the involvement he had with the Vendicatori, a powerful organization developed to protect the Correo family's fortune. But in order for Andrew to claim his inheritance as the next Correo heir, he must compete in a challenge against Robert Stavero, an unknown contender and master of disguises. The object of the challenge is for the winner to procure all four pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the "final destination, and the largest prize in the world." Questions remain whether or not Andrew can keep this perilous competition a secret from his sister and mother, as well as outwit his maleficent opponent.
Awarding winning writer Marc Estes has produced a suspenseful story that has a James Bond feel to it. The first in a series of Vendicatori novels, Estes' third person narrative is a rapidly paced page-turner filled with un-hackneyed character scenes between his sister's upcoming wedding; the contest and Andrew's nerve-racking encounters with Robert, his maniacal antagonist; a bit of romance; and other supporting characters—a few that may seem harmless now but could easily turn into future villains in subsequent sequels. Aside of the constant influx of juxtaposed scenes, Estes not only draws readers into the plot's action, but also into the lives of a well-developed cast that goes beyond Andrew, Estes' principal character. Good examples are Brad whose mother and sister were brutally murdered and Jenna who has a thing for Andrew. Estes' thriller closes with a mind-boggling cliffhanger. Earmarked to be a best-seller, there is no doubt that Four Pieces For Power will keep readers on edge till the very end.
February 5, 2015
New Update
Hi Everyone. I just wanted to share with you the review that Four Pieces For Power just received from The US Review of Books. It has also earned the Gold Seal for Literary Excellence and a nomination for the Eric Hoffer Award.
Here is the Review:
reviewed by Anita Lock
"Both shared in the amazement of how two complete strangers could become such bitter enemies without even a single exchange of words."
Andrew Correo learns the truth about his deceased grandfather and the involvement he had with the Vendicatori, a powerful organization developed to protect the Correo family's fortune. But in order for Andrew to claim his inheritance as the next Correo heir, he must compete in a challenge against Robert Stavero, an unknown contender and master of disguises. The object of the challenge is for the winner to procure all four pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the "final destination, and the largest prize in the world." Questions remain whether or not Andrew can keep this perilous competition a secret from his sister and mother, as well as outwit his maleficent opponent.
Awarding winning writer Marc Estes has produced a suspenseful story that has a James Bond feel to it. The first in a series of Vendicatori novels, Estes' third person narrative is a rapidly paced page-turner filled with un-hackneyed character scenes between his sister's upcoming wedding; the contest and Andrew's nerve-racking encounters with Robert, his maniacal antagonist; a bit of romance; and other supporting characters—a few that may seem harmless now but could easily turn into future villains in subsequent sequels. Aside of the constant influx of juxtaposed scenes, Estes not only draws readers into the plot's action, but also into the lives of a well-developed cast that goes beyond Andrew, Estes' principal character. Good examples are Brad whose mother and sister were brutally murdered and Jenna who has a thing for Andrew. Estes' thriller closes with a mind-boggling cliffhanger. Earmarked to be a best-seller, there is no doubt that Four Pieces For Power will keep readers on edge till the very end.
Here is the Review:
reviewed by Anita Lock
"Both shared in the amazement of how two complete strangers could become such bitter enemies without even a single exchange of words."
Andrew Correo learns the truth about his deceased grandfather and the involvement he had with the Vendicatori, a powerful organization developed to protect the Correo family's fortune. But in order for Andrew to claim his inheritance as the next Correo heir, he must compete in a challenge against Robert Stavero, an unknown contender and master of disguises. The object of the challenge is for the winner to procure all four pieces of the puzzle that will reveal the "final destination, and the largest prize in the world." Questions remain whether or not Andrew can keep this perilous competition a secret from his sister and mother, as well as outwit his maleficent opponent.
Awarding winning writer Marc Estes has produced a suspenseful story that has a James Bond feel to it. The first in a series of Vendicatori novels, Estes' third person narrative is a rapidly paced page-turner filled with un-hackneyed character scenes between his sister's upcoming wedding; the contest and Andrew's nerve-racking encounters with Robert, his maniacal antagonist; a bit of romance; and other supporting characters—a few that may seem harmless now but could easily turn into future villains in subsequent sequels. Aside of the constant influx of juxtaposed scenes, Estes not only draws readers into the plot's action, but also into the lives of a well-developed cast that goes beyond Andrew, Estes' principal character. Good examples are Brad whose mother and sister were brutally murdered and Jenna who has a thing for Andrew. Estes' thriller closes with a mind-boggling cliffhanger. Earmarked to be a best-seller, there is no doubt that Four Pieces For Power will keep readers on edge till the very end.
November 19, 2014
Rekindle The Flame
Hello everyone.
I have recently signed my contract for Book 2 of the Vendicatori. As it looks now, it will be out in Feb or March. If you haven't had a chance to read Four Pieces For Power yet, I would urge you to do so, so that you can be all caught up for the release of book 2.
Rekindle The Flame will knock your socks off :) I am very excited with the story line.
Marc
I have recently signed my contract for Book 2 of the Vendicatori. As it looks now, it will be out in Feb or March. If you haven't had a chance to read Four Pieces For Power yet, I would urge you to do so, so that you can be all caught up for the release of book 2.
Rekindle The Flame will knock your socks off :) I am very excited with the story line.
Marc
September 3, 2014
upcoming event.
Hello Everyone! First I wanted to let you know my recent play at the Kennedy Center was a huge success. I have to thank all the actors and the director for a job well done.
I also recieved word that there will be a staged reading of my play, Glass Closets, by the Valley Players in Waitsfield, Vermont on October 10 and 11. All are welcome. I will also be doing a Q and A after the shows.
Hope you can make it.
I also recieved word that there will be a staged reading of my play, Glass Closets, by the Valley Players in Waitsfield, Vermont on October 10 and 11. All are welcome. I will also be doing a Q and A after the shows.
Hope you can make it.
July 10, 2014
Update on Rekindle the Flame
Hey everyone. Just wanted to let you all know that I am hard at work on Book 2 of the Vendicatori. I am currently about half way through and I am VERY happy with how it is coming out. Just when you thought you figured out all of the plot twists in book 1.... Here comes Rekindle the Flame. Most of the characters in Book 1 make an appearance, but there is also a nice mix of all new characters to bring help or hardship to Andrew and all he holds dear. Revelations abound in book two and I hope you are looking forward to it as much as I am enjoying writing it. Hopefully it will be out in a few months.
Marc
Marc
July 8, 2014
Shout out
I just wanted to give a shout out to another indie author. Please check her out.
DEBORAH MITTON, author of "TEN FOR THE DEVIL: A MURDER OF CROWS BOOK 1" (amazon.com/dp/B00FOXDYVA).
DEBORAH MITTON, author of "TEN FOR THE DEVIL: A MURDER OF CROWS BOOK 1" (amazon.com/dp/B00FOXDYVA).
