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Jungian Archetypes | Examples and Overview

By Andrea Feccomandi | November 29, 2023 | Comments 4 comments

What are Jungian archetypes? Jungian archetypes are fundamental, universal symbols or patterns that Carl Gustav Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, proposed to exist in the collective unconscious of humanity.

What does it mean archetype? In Greek, the word ‘arché‘ means original, while ‘típos‘ means model. In other words, the archetype is, therefore, the model on which we interpret the surrounding things, events, and situations in our lives. It is, in simple terms, the basis of our behavior.

These archetypes represent shared human experiences, themes, and characters that transcend cultural and historical boundaries.

Jung identified various archetypes, each with its own unique characteristics, roles, and significance in shaping human thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions.

These Jungian archetypes are often used in storytelling, mythology, and psychology to understand and explore the complexities of the human psyche.

In this article, we will explore Jung’s archetypes theory, and its significance in shaping storytelling and human experiences, and examine notable examples of each archetype in literature and film.

Jungian archetypes list

The Hero archetype

THE HERO ARCHETYPE
Goal. Saving the day, conquering evil, achieving a noble quest.
Fear. Self-doubt, arrogance.
Flaws. Hubris or over-reliance on strength.
Skills. Courage, determination, and leadership.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Hero archetype.

The Hero archetype represents the embodiment of courage, strength, and the journey towards self-discovery. Often depicted as a protagonist facing daunting challenges, the Hero inspires us to overcome obstacles and fulfill our potential.

Examples of Hero figures include Odysseus from Homer’s “The Odyssey” and Luke Skywalker from the “Star Wars” franchise.

The Hero’s goals typically revolve around saving the day, conquering evil, or achieving a noble quest.

Their fears and flaws, such as self-doubt or arrogance, add depth and complexity to their character. Heroes possess exceptional skills, whether physical or intellectual, which aid them in their endeavors.

The Magician archetype

THE MAGICIAN ARCHETYPE
Goals. Uncovering hidden truths, unlocking the mysteries of existence
Fears. Abuse of power, consequences of revealing too much knowledge.
Flaws. Arrogance, tendency to manipulate others.
Skills. Mastery of magic, advanced scientific knowledge.

The Magician archetype embodies wisdom, knowledge, and transformation. This archetype is often associated with individuals who possess a deep understanding of the world and possess the power to bring about change.

Examples of the Magician archetype can be found in characters like Merlin from Arthurian legends and Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”.

The Magician’s goals are driven by a desire to uncover hidden truths and unlock the mysteries of existence.

Their fears may stem from the abuse of power or the consequences of revealing too much knowledge. The Magician’s flaws may include arrogance or a tendency to manipulate others. Their skills often involve mastery of magic or advanced scientific knowledge.

The Innocent archetype

THE INNOCENT ARCHETYPE
Goals. Maintaining innocence, creating a better world through actions.
Fears. Disillusionment, loss of childlike wonder.
Flaws. Vulnerability, lack of awareness of the dangers in the world.
Skills. Unwavering faith, ability to see beauty in the simplest things, power to inspire others.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Innocent archetype.

The Innocent archetype represents purity, optimism, and a belief in the inherent goodness of the world. Innocents are often portrayed as naive or childlike, untouched by the complexities of life.

Examples of the Innocent archetype are characters like Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” and Forrest Gump.

Innocents strive to maintain their innocence and seek to create a better world through their actions.

Their fears may include disillusionment or the loss of their childlike wonder. Flaws such as vulnerability or a lack of awareness of the dangers in the world make them relatable. Innocents possess skills like unwavering faith, the ability to see beauty in the simplest things, or the power to inspire others.

The Explorer archetype

THE EXPLORER ARCHETYPE
Goals. Broadening horizons, seeking new experiences, uncovering hidden treasures, or unraveling mysteries.
Fears. Stagnation, fear of the mundane.
Flaws. Impulsiveness, tendency to prioritize exploration over personal relationships.
Skills. Survival instincts, adaptability, expertise in a specific field.

The Explorer archetype symbolizes the thirst for adventure, discovery, and the pursuit of the unknown. Explorers are driven by a desire to broaden their horizons and seek new experiences.

Examples of the Explorer archetype are characters like Indiana Jones and Lara Croft from the “Tomb Raider” series.

Explorers embark on physical or intellectual journeys, uncovering hidden treasures or unraveling mysteries.

Their fears may include stagnation or a fear of the mundane. Flaws such as impulsiveness or a tendency to prioritize exploration over personal relationships add depth to their character. Explorers possess skills like survival instincts, adaptability, or expertise in a specific field.

The Caregiver archetype

THE CAREGIVER ARCHETYPE
Goals. Prioritizing the needs of others, providing support and protection.
Fears. Inability to help, fear of being taken advantage of.
Flaws. Overprotectiveness, neglecting self-care.
Skills. Empathy, patience, ability to provide comfort.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Caregiver archetype.

The Caregiver archetype represents compassion, nurturing, and selflessness. Caregivers are often parents, healthcare professionals, or individuals who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others.

Examples of the Caregiver archetype are characters like Mother Teresa and Mrs. Weasley from the “Harry Potter” series.

Caregivers prioritize the needs of others and provide support and protection.

Their fears may include the inability to help or the fear of being taken advantage of. Flaws such as being overprotective or neglecting self-care make them complex and relatable. Caregivers possess skills like empathy, patience, and the ability to provide comfort.

The Jester archetype

THE JESTER ARCHETYPE
Goals. Bringing joy to others, challenging societal norms through wit.
Fears. Being misunderstood, fear of humor being unappreciated.
Flaws. Tendency to avoid responsibility, lack of focus.
Skills. Quick thinking, comedic timing, ability to create laughter.

The Jester archetype represents humor, spontaneity, and the ability to bring joy to others. Jesters are often entertainers or tricksters who provide comic relief and challenge societal norms through their wit.

Examples of the Jester archetype include characters like the Fool from Shakespeare’s plays and the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

Jesters seek to disrupt the seriousness of life and offer a different perspective.

Their fears may revolve around being misunderstood or the fear of their humor being unappreciated. Flaws such as a tendency to avoid responsibility or a lack of focus make them complex and relatable. Jesters possess skills like quick thinking, comedic timing, and the ability to create laughter.

The Sage archetype

THE SAGE ARCHETYPE
Goals. Sharing knowledge, helping others navigate life’s challenges.
Fears. Misuse of knowledge, their own fallibility.
Flaws. Tendency to be detached, overly analytical.
Skills. Critical thinking, intuition, deep understanding of human nature.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Sage archetype.

The Sage archetype represents wisdom, knowledge, and a deep understanding of the world. Sages are often wise mentors or guides, offering profound insights and guidance to others.

Examples of the Sage archetype include Yoda from “Star Wars” and Albus Dumbledore from the “Harry Potter” series.

Sages seek to share their knowledge and help others navigate life’s challenges.

Their fears may revolve around the misuse of knowledge or their own fallibility. Flaws such as a tendency to be detached or overly analytical make them complex and relatable. Sages possess skills such as critical thinking, intuition, or a deep understanding of human nature.

The Everyman archetype

THE EVERYMAN ARCHETYPE
Goals. Survival, finding meaning, personal growth.
Fears. Failure, insignificance.
Flaws. Indecisiveness, lack of confidence.
Skills. Adaptability, resilience, ability to find common ground with others

The Everyman archetype represents relatability, ordinariness, and the ability to navigate everyday life. Everyman characters are often ordinary individuals who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Examples of the Everyman archetype are characters like Bilbo Baggins from “The Hobbit” and Harry Potter. Everyman characters are relatable to the audience, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of the average person.

Their goals may revolve around survival, finding meaning, or personal growth.

Fears such as failure or insignificance make them relatable. Flaws such as indecisiveness or a lack of confidence add depth to their character. Everyman characters possess skills like adaptability, resilience, or the ability to find common ground with others.

The Ruler archetype

THE RULER ARCHETYPE
Goals. Bringing stability and prosperity, making difficult decisions for the greater good.
Fears. Losing control, consequences of their actions.
Flaws. Tendency to be authoritarian, fear of vulnerability.
Skills: Diplomacy, strategic thinking, ability to inspire loyalty in others.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Ruler archetype.

The Ruler archetype represents leadership, authority, and the ability to create order. Rulers are often kings, queens, or powerful figures who govern with wisdom and fairness.

Examples of the Ruler archetype include King Arthur and Queen Elizabeth I.

Rulers seek to bring stability and prosperity to their domain, often making difficult decisions for the greater good.

Their fears may revolve around losing control or the consequences of their actions. Flaws such as a tendency to be authoritarian or a fear of vulnerability make them complex and relatable. Rulers possess skills like diplomacy, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire loyalty in others.

The Outlaw archetype

THE OUTLAW ARCHETYPE
Goals. Challenging the status quo, fighting against oppression and injustice.
Fears. Loss of personal freedom, consequences of their actions.
Flaws. Recklessness, disregard for authority.
Skills. Stealth, cunning, mastery of unconventional weapons.

The Outlaw archetype represents rebellion, freedom, and the breaking of societal norms. Outlaws challenge the status quo and often fight against oppression and injustice.

Examples of the Outlaw archetype are characters like Robin Hood and the legendary pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow.

Outlaws seek to disrupt established systems and champion the rights of the marginalized.

Their fears may revolve around the loss of personal freedom or the consequences of their actions. Flaws such as recklessness or a disregard for authority make them complex and relatable. Outlaws possess skills such as stealth, cunning, or mastery of unconventional weapons.

The Lover archetype

THE LOVER ARCHETYPE
Goals. Pursuing deep emotional connections, seeking harmony and love in all aspects of life.
Fears. Rejection, fear of being alone.
Flaws. Possessiveness, tendency to idealize others.
Skills. Empathy, ability to create intimacy, power to inspire devotion.

Jungian archetypes - Jungian's Lover archetype.

The Lover archetype represents passion, intimacy, and the pursuit of deep emotional connections. Lovers are often romantic partners or individuals who seek harmony and love in all aspects of life.

Examples of the Lover archetype are characters like Romeo and Juliet and Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

Lovers prioritize relationships and emotional fulfillment.

Their fears may revolve around rejection or the fear of being alone. Flaws such as possessiveness or a tendency to idealize others make them complex and relatable. Lovers possess skills like empathy, the ability to create intimacy, or the power to inspire devotion.

The Creator archetype

THE CREATOR ARCHETYPE
Goals. Expressing oneself, leaving a lasting impact on the world.
Fears. Creative blockage, fear of creations being unappreciated.
Flaws. Overly critical, perfectionistic.
Skills. Artistic talent, ingenuity, ability to think outside the box.

The Creator archetype embodies imagination, innovation, and the ability to bring something new into existence. Creators are often artists, inventors, or visionaries who shape the world through their unique creations.

Examples of the Creator archetype are characters like Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs.

Creators are driven by the desire to express themselves and leave a lasting impact on the world.

Their fears may revolve around creative blockage or the fear of their creations being unappreciated. Flaws such as being overly critical or perfectionistic make them complex and relatable. Creators possess skills like artistic talent, ingenuity, or the ability to think outside the box.

“Archetypes are typical modes of apperception, and whenever we observe constant and regularly recurring modes of apperception, it means that we are dealing with an archetype, regardless of whether its mythological character is recognised or not.”
Carl Gustav Jung

Use bibisco to craft your characters using Jungian archetypes

Using the Jungian archetypes to craft the characters’ personalities in a narrative is far from a simple task. The writing software of bibisco helps you to define your characters and their archetype to create their character.

bibisco's main character section - What are the 12 Jungian archetypes? — bibisco’s main character section

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE!

Conclusion: Jungian archetypes provide a framework for writers to understand the human experience

Jungian archetypes provide a rich framework for understanding the human experience and the narratives that shape our lives.

These archetypes, as illustrated through examples in literature and film, offer profound insights into our desires, fears, flaws, and skills. Whether we relate to the Hero’s journey, find solace in the wisdom of the Sage, or seek freedom in the role of the Outlaw, archetypes continue to resonate with audiences across cultures and time.

By recognizing and exploring these archetypes, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universal themes that connect us all.

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have?

By Andrea Feccomandi | July 23, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

As a writer, one of the key decisions you’ll face when crafting your story is how to structure it. And an essential component of this structure is the chapter.

Chapters serve various purposes in storytelling, providing breaks, introducing new plot developments, and offering a sense of progression. But how many chapters should a book have?

In this article, we’ll explore the factors to consider when determining the number of chapters and discuss traditional and modern approaches to chapter organization.

The purpose of chapters in storytelling

Chapters play a crucial role in the overall narrative flow of a book.

They act as natural breaks, allowing readers to pause, reflect, and anticipate what’s to come. Chapters provide a sense of rhythm and pacing, helping to control the momentum of the story.

They also offer a convenient way to structure the plot, separating different story arcs or character perspectives. By dividing the story into chapters, authors can create a more cohesive and organized reading experience.

Factors to consider when determining the number of chapters

Deciding on the number of chapters for your book involves careful consideration of several factors.

First and foremost, you need to think about the length and complexity of your story. Longer and more intricate narratives may require more chapters to effectively develop the plot and characters.

Additionally, genre plays a role in determining chapter length. Action-packed genres like thrillers often have shorter chapters to maintain a fast-paced momentum, while literary fiction may opt for longer, more introspective chapters.

Another factor to consider is the target audience. Younger readers or those with shorter attention spans may benefit from shorter chapters that provide natural stopping points. On the other hand, a more mature audience might appreciate longer chapters that allow for deeper immersion in the narrative.

Lastly, the pacing and structure of your story should also influence your decision. If your plot has multiple twists and turns, shorter chapters can create tension and suspense. Conversely, if your story demands a slower build-up, longer chapters may be more suitable.

Traditional chapter structures in different genres

Different genres have different conventions when it comes to chapter structure.

For example, in mystery and suspense novels, chapters often end with cliffhangers, compelling readers to keep turning the pages. Romance novels, on the other hand, may opt for shorter chapters to heighten the emotional intensity of each scene. In historical fiction, chapters might be used to transition between different time periods or characters.

By studying the conventions of your chosen genre, you can gain insights into how other successful authors have structured their books and adapt those techniques to your own work.

However, it’s important to remember that while genre conventions can be helpful, they shouldn’t restrict your creativity. Experimenting with chapter structures can make your book stand out and create a unique reading experience.

Modern approaches to chapter organization

In recent years, authors have been exploring new and innovative ways to structure their chapters.

One popular approach is the use of non-linear narratives, where chapters jump back and forth in time or alternate between different storylines. This technique can create a sense of intrigue and keep readers engaged as they piece together the puzzle of the plot.

Another modern approach is the use of shorter chapters that mimic the fast-paced nature of digital media, catering to readers who prefer shorter bursts of information.

Additionally, some authors have embraced the idea of chapterless novels, where the story flows seamlessly without traditional chapter breaks. This approach can create a continuous reading experience, blurring the lines between different sections of the book.

However, it’s essential to balance innovation with readability and ensure that the absence of chapters doesn’t lead to confusion or a lack of structure.

“Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open.”
Ste phen King

Pros and cons of shorter chapters

Shorter chapters have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

Shorter chapters can create a sense of urgency and make the book feel more dynamic.
They provide natural stopping points for readers who want to take breaks, allowing them to easily pick up where they left off.
Short chapters can also increase the perceived pace of the story, making it feel more action-packed.

Cons:

Shorter chapters can also disrupt the flow of the narrative, making it feel fragmented or disjointed.
They may not allow for sufficient depth or development in each chapter and can sometimes feel rushed or superficial.

Pros and cons of longer chapters

Longer chapters, on the other hand, offer their own unique benefits and drawbacks.

Pros:

Longer chapters provide ample space for in-depth exploration of characters, settings, and themes.
They allow for a more immersive reading experience, giving readers the opportunity to delve deeper into the story.
Longer chapters can also create a sense of momentum, as readers become engrossed in the narrative and are reluctant to put the book down.

Cons:

Longer chapters can also feel overwhelming or daunting to some readers.
They may require more time and concentration to read, and can make it harder to find suitable stopping points.

Finding the right balance: determining the ideal number of chapters a book should have

Ultimately, the ideal number of chapters for your book will depend on the specific needs and requirements of your story.

It’s important to strike a balance between the pacing, structure, and overall flow of your narrative.

Consider the length and complexity of your plot, the preferences of your target audience, and the conventions of your chosen genre.

Experiment with different chapter lengths and structures during the drafting process to see what works best for your story.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many chapters a book should have. It’s a decision that should be driven by the unique needs of your story.

Tips for structuring chapters effectively

To structure your chapters effectively, consider the following tips:

Begin each chapter with a strong opening that hooks the reader and sets the tone for what’s to come.
End chapters with a sense of intrigue or suspense to encourage readers to continue.
Use chapter breaks to transition between different storylines or perspectives.
Vary the length of your chapters to create a sense of rhythm and pacing.
Ensure each chapter has a clear purpose and contributes to the overall narrative arc.
Experiment with different chapter structures to find what works best for your story.
Seek feedback from beta readers or writing groups to get insights into the effectiveness of your chapter structure.

By implementing these tips, you can create a chapter structure that enhances your story and captivates your readers.

How many chapters should a book have? bibisco can help you to understand it!

When it comes to organizing the chapters of your book, the novel planning software bibisco is here to lend a hand. With bibisco, you can effortlessly divide each chapter into scenes, providing you with greater control over the development of your narrative.

Reordering chapters is also a breeze with bibisco’s drag and drop feature, allowing you to easily modify the book’s structure. But it doesn’t stop there – for every chapter, bibisco offers a dedicated card to define its purpose, ensuring there are no unnecessary or superfluous chapters in your work.

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have? bibisco's chapter' section — bibisco’s chapters sections

Additionally, bibisco provides a notes section for each chapter, enabling you to jot down all the essential ideas and information needed for the writing process.

To top it off, bibisco boasts an analysis feature that visually showcases the proportions between chapter lengths, granting you a deeper understanding and awareness of your book’s composition.

How Many Chapters Should a Book Have? bibisco's chapters length analysis — bibisco’s chapters length analysis

With bibisco’s comprehensive set of tools, your chapter organization and overall writing experience will be a smooth and rewarding journey.

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO FOR FREE NOW!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the number of chapters in a book is a decision that should be carefully considered.

Factors such as the length and complexity of your story, the preferences of your target audience, and the conventions of your genre all play a role in determining the ideal chapter structure. While traditional chapter structures provide valuable insights, don’t be afraid to experiment with modern approaches and find what works best for your unique story.

By individualizing your chapter structure, you can enhance the reading experience and create a narrative that resonates with your readers. So, take the time to craft your chapters thoughtfully, and let them serve as the building blocks of a captivating and well-structured story.

What’s New in bibisco Novel Writing Software 3.0?

By Andrea Feccomandi | June 15, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Hello, writers!

I’m thrilled to share the exciting news of bibisco’s latest release, version 3.0! It’s been an incredible journey, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the writers who have contributed their ideas and suggestions to make bibisco even more amazing and useful.

Thank you so much for your invaluable input, and please don’t hesitate to keep sending me your proposals at info@bibisco.com. While I may not be able to implement every single suggestion, I assure you that I’ll carefully read and evaluate each one.

Now, let’s dive into what’s new in bibisco novel writing software 3.0!

Groups

Many of you have asked me for this feature, and finally, here it is! You now can manage groups of characters, locations, objects, and narrative strands related to each other: a family, a team, a gang, or a group of friends. Or even characters with similar characteristics, such as wizards, warriors, elves, dwarves, orcs, dragons, fairies, etc.

In each group, it is possible to associate a color and a profile picture, and there is a space to enter the description indicating the characteristics, goals, values, norms, structure, roles, rituals, traditions, and so on.

bibisco Novel Writing Software 3.0 - group's description — Group’s description

All the character cards, locations, items, and storylines have labels showing which group they belong to. This makes it super easy to see group members at a glance. You can even filter and only check out the members of a specific group. This is especially handy in novels with many characters, locations, and objects.

bibisco Novel Writing Software 3.0 - characters section — bibisco novel writing software character’s section

Oh, and scenes and chapters have labels too! They show which groups the characters, locations, objects, and narrative strands in them belong to.

So, with group management, you’ll have a neat, organized, and visually appealing way to handle your story elements, especially if they are numerous.

Customized questions for character interviews

Are you missing the most crucial question for your character while going through all the interview questions? Are you crafting a fantasy or dystopian world where characters possess unique powers, and you want specific questions about these powers to appear in the interview?

No worries! Starting today, you can enrich character interviews with questions created by you.

Customized questions let you dig deeper into your character’s unique qualities and powers, making them stand out in the story. Plus, these personalized questions allow you to explore all the nitty-gritty details of your fictional world, so readers can get a feel for how everything works.

Read mode

Here’s another highly requested feature from many of you. While it’s crucial to have the text broken down into individual scenes during the planning and writing stages, it’s important to be able to read a chapter or the entire novel continuously during the revision phase.

Now, you can revise the novel without navigating between scenes with the “Read chapter” button in the specific chapter section or the “Read novel” button in the entire chapters section.

bibisco Novel Writing Software 3.0 - read mode — bibisco’s read mode

You can also use a dropdown menu to jump to a specific chapter, and, best of all, you can read your novel in full-screen mode!

And what if you notice something you don’t like during the revision phase and want to change? It’s as easy as it can be! Just double-click on the part of the text you want to modify, and bibisco will open the corresponding scene for editing, highlighting the chosen paragraph.

Mind maps

This version significantly enhances the Mind Maps functionality (previously known as Relations in version 2.4). Here’s the lowdown:

Unlimited Mind Maps: You can now create as many mind maps as your heart desires. No more limits, just let your thoughts flow!
Colors and Cool Shapes: Get ready to jazz up your maps! You can choose your own colors for the elements, and I’ve even added some fresh new shapes to spice things up.
Fancy Arrows: Arrows just got a makeover! You can now pick their colors to match your style. Plus, we’ve introduced bidirectional arrows and cool dashed arrows for those extra special connections.

These updates give you more freedom, creativity, and customization options for your mind maps.
And you can do things like this:

bibisco Novel Writing Software 3.0 - mind map — bibisco novel writing software mind map

Ukrainian translation

Thanks to the awesome help of volunteers, bibisco is now available in Ukrainian, giving more writers a chance to enjoy it in their native language.

I’m grateful for the hard work and dedication of our volunteer community, whose efforts have expanded the reach of bibisco and made it accessible to even more people around the world.

Conclusion

What’s new in bibisco novel writing software 3.0? With the invaluable input from our community of writers, I’ve introduced exciting features such as Groups, Customized Questions for Character Interviews, Read Mode, and enhanced Mind Maps. These additions empower writers to bring depth and richness to their characters, easily explore their fictional worlds, and revise their work seamlessly.

I’m immensely grateful for the support and contributions of the bibisco community, whose feedback and ideas have shaped bibisco into the novel writing software it is today.

So, don’t wait any longer, download it now and let your imagination soar. Happy writing!

DOWNLOAD BIBISCO 3.0

Stories Teach Us How to Be Human

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 21, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

There are stories that have a moral and leave us with a lesson. There are others that engage us because of what they tell. Stories teach us how to be human, in general. It’s a bit like the narrative of the hero’s journey, which captures the growth of the human being throughout his life.

What characteristics of stories strike readers so much that they remain in their memories?

Why Stories Teach Us How to Be Human?

It is difficult to forget a story that has given us an emotion. That emotion is stored inside our brains and returns when needed. When we find ourselves in the same situation or experience a particular moment that reminds us of a particular reading. It is a kind of handhold that helps readers to act similarly to the character whose adventures they have read about.

Stories prepare us for life, and enable us to discover dangers and opportunities. They allow us to safely explore worlds, and present us with fantasized or real worlds. They do it at a distance, while the emotions we experience during the story and even the sensations can be real. We can feel fear, anger, pain, joy, pleasure, trust, courage, love, and many other emotions. Then the story ends, but it lives on within us. It constitutes an experience that, even if fantasized, is part of us.

Psychology in narration

For this, we call psychology to the rescue. Psychologists, in fact, tell us that the need for stories is linked to specific biological entities: neurons. It seems that there are a hundred billion neurons in the adult brain. Each neuron possesses a thousand to ten thousand connections. So, the combination of brain activity is so stratospheric that it exceeds the number of elementary particles in the universe.

Then there is a particular species of neurons, discovered between the 1980s and 1990s, which are called mirror neurons. These neurons are activated when subjects perform an action and when they see another perform the same or another action. They are frequently used by children who, seeing us, learn by imitation and imitate our gestures and our behavior.
Imitating is a complex action, however, and requires the brain to adopt the person’s point of view in front of us.
And even if we never think about it, emulation is a fundamental activity for evolution.
That’s why stories teach us how to be human. Because they allow us to evolve, grow and learn with them.

Stories During the Centuries

In short, stories, first and foremost those of the great literary novels, but also simpler and more recent stories, really help us live. They make reality sustainable for us because they can be better observed and interpreted in their existential details.

In fact, in order to understand the society of an era, it is very useful for us to read its stories, novels, legends, fairy tales, or whatever.

Some Examples of Stories That Teach Us How to Be Human

A prime example of this narrative theory is ‘The Little Prince‘ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
This is a book that is also offered to children in kindergartens. But read at another time in life, it takes on a different meaning. It is a narrative that leaves readers with a different message depending on the moment in which they read the book.

A second example is the Harry Potter saga by J.K. Rowling. This fantasy tale, divided into seven volumes, has the characteristic of growing together with the reader. The first book has more childlike, disenchanted, joyful traits. As the reading progresses, the narrative becomes more and more complex, dealing with themes that go beyond simple magic, until it becomes almost dark, suitable for a more adult audience.
It is a tale, however, that teaches how to live and deal with various situations in one’s life.

“Story is not the passive experience we perceive it to be. Instead, it is as essential an activator of our internal development as any experience we have in real life. […] Stories teach us through symbolic experiences how to be human.”
Inside Story- Dara Marks

Create a Story That Teaches Something With bibisco

With bibisco and its novel writing software, you can write a story while keeping track of any element. You can start with the plot, make notes on important items to be included in the narrative, focus on the style of the dialogue, and create character sheets for each character.
Any detail relating to the narrative will not be left to chance, but you will have everything under control.

Stories teach us how to be human- bibisco's timeline - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — bibisco’s timeline

Conclusions

Stories tell us how to succeed in realizing a dream, a goal, an experience. They are like promises of change. Every tale has within it the seed of change.
You can discover something about yourself from the stories that attract you.
Once you are more aware of the stories that attract you, you can explore what and how many types of stories there are, and then discover how to use the stories to grow and change.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 7, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

In the bibisco blog, we have provided many tips on how to write a novel, what narrative techniques to use, and how to build characters. However, there are indispensable readings in a future writer’s library, without which they would lack a righteous source of inspiration. For this reason, in this article, we propose four books you should read.

Why Recommend 4 Books You Should Read?

Narrative techniques are important; it forms the basis of the writer’s craft. But it also takes practice.

It is a bit like learning a foreign language. You start with grammar and then move on to conversation, without which you could not express yourself.

The books we recommend are excellent insights from various genres, showing how narrative techniques, dialogue, characters, and stories develop. Let’s see together what they are.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #1 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

In a parallel universe dominated by a powerful organization, the Magisterium, each person has at their side a dæmon, their soul in animal form, with which the person communicates and which stays nearby, unlike witches who have bird-shaped dæmons and who can also move away from the human.

Lyra Belacqua is an orphan and lives in Jordan College in Oxford with her uncle, Lord Asriel, a wealthy scientist. Together with her dæmon Pantalaimon, she comes to discover the existence of Dust, a bizarre natural particle whose power the organization holds.

Philip Pullman‘s novel can teach a lot about how to master a science fiction screenplay but also about the surprise effect.
Indeed, there are many twists and turns in this interesting read, and despite the variety and complexity of the characters, the reader never feels any sense of confusion. Everything is clearly detailed.

No less important, it is a novel that bases its entire narrative on an enchanted object: a compass.
We have already discussed this and the importance of telling about a magical object in a previous article on our blog. This book can be a great example of that.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #2 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

A second, very interesting but more technical read is definitely Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

For a writer who wants to approach this fabulous craft in the right way, it is essential to get some advice from one of the most important and accomplished authors of our time: Stephen King. On writing, is an essay, part autobiography, and part writing manual.

In the text, Stephen King invents the concept of a “toolbox.” This is the image that every writer must possess and the tools in it that they must know how to use. The most common is vocabulary.
The writer says not to be ashamed of one’s vocabulary, not to try to force it or enrich it at all costs, as even the most “meager” vocabulary can still make for a very good read.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #3 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Among the 4 books you should read, we recommend And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Ten guests are invited to spend time on a desert island by a stranger. One by one, however, they pay for their alleged sins with their lives. As the circle tightens, the suspense grows.

Great mystery novels teach how to master the plot and mislead the reader’s suspicions to hide the real culprit until the end of the narrative. This is something that is by no means easy to do. There are many aspects to remember, such as character building, motive, and the final twist.

In fact, Agatha Christie herself recounted how this was the most difficult novel to write in her entire career. But one of the undisputed queens of the thriller genre is Agatha Christie, who never bored or disappointed readers in her seemingly simple novels.

4 Must-Read Books for Writers: #4 Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling

To conclude the recommendations on the 4 books you should read, among the masterpieces of fiction, we cannot fail to mention the entire Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling, a British writer, was able to think and create a world parallel to the human one for young and old alike.

The special feature of her novels is that they grow together with their readers. The early novels are more lighthearted, more childlike, and fun. Moving on to the later ones, however, we notice darker and darker elements that are part of the human soul, revealing aspects such as betrayals, jealousy, and fear.

Similarly and in keeping with the same philosophy of the fictional series, Warner Bros. also decided to darken the initial logo seen at the beginning of the Harry Potter movies, going from a bright gold in the first film to black in the last.

The series is about a young boy, Harry Potter, who lives in a small town near London with his aunt and uncle. On his fourteenth birthday, he discovers that he is a little wizard and that the wizarding school of Hogwarts is waiting to welcome him to its desks.

There he will meet Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who will become his best friends and with whom he will share many adventures as he searches for the truth about his past and Lord Voldemort, an evil figure in the wizarding world.

If you want to be a writer, there are two basic exercises: read a lot and write a lot
Stephen King

Can’t wait to start writing? bibisco is by your side!

With these 4 books you should read, have we enticed you to get to work right away? Don’t forget that as you think and write your narrative, bibisco can support you in several ways.

With its novel writing software, you can create your characters, keeping track of characters, physical characteristics, objects that appear in the story, and more. It will be like having an experienced writer guide you as you write your narrative.

Dramaturgy series - 4 books you should read- bibisco's characters' section - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — track a character’s main events using bibisco

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Conclusions

Between all the techniques, suggestions, and tricks for writing a novel well that is interesting and keeps the reader breathless until the last pages, practice must be taken into account.

Part of this practice is precisely reading other books, other examples from which you can also draw inspiration. In this article, we have seen 4 Must-Read Books for Writers.

What is the Premise of a Novel?

By Andrea Feccomandi | May 1, 2023

What are the indispensable ingredients of a good book? Among the fundamental ones is undoubtedly the premise. And it can be summed up with the question: “What do you want to tell?“.

A few essential passages define the premise, one of the basic elements of the narrative. Let us see together how to create a correct premise.

What is the Premise?

What is the premise of a novel? The premise is one of the two main threads of a story.

The first thread is the plot, which differs significantly from the premise. The plot explains what happens in a story. The premise, on the other hand, corresponds to why the events of that narrative happen. It is, thus, the ultimate goal. It establishes the underlying motivation for a story to follow a certain path to a specific conclusion.

Put simply, the premise is the ‘moral‘ of the story. This is why the concept can be summed up with the question, “What do you want to tell?”. As an author, what do you really want to write about?

Over the centuries, various authors have tried to give their own interpretation of the concept of the premise. For Christopher Vogler, for example, it was a statement by the author about an aspect of life that remains below the story.
Robert McKnee, on the other hand, defined the premise with the term ‘control label’. He described how and why life changes from one condition of existence at the beginning (of the story) to a different one at the end.

What is the Purpose of the Premise of a Novel?

Why should an author think about the premise when starting to write a narrative? Because the premise makes it possible not to get lost in the maze of events, it gives unity and organicity to the story and gives it a direction.

Consider, for example, the Harry Potter saga, a series of beautiful novels by J.K. Rowling. The premise of the stories is to remind the reader that magic exists within each person. In the first book, Harry responds to the first approach to magic by saying, “I can’t be a wizard. I mean, I am Harry. Just Harry.”

To realize a good promise, the author must think carefully, even going outside the classical canons imposed by society. In general, when we think of the moral of a story, we automatically think that justice beats injustice, that goodness beats badness. However, authors do not necessarily have to adapt to these canons. If they feel that avarice, for example, leads to success, it is right that they reason on this kind of premise and create a narrative that leads to this conclusion.

I have always loved science fiction. One of my favorite shows is ‘Star Trek.’ I like the trips, where it drops my mind off, because they give you a premise and all of a sudden, you say, ‘Oh!’ and I’m fascinated by it.
Leslie Nielsen

Define the Premise of Your Story with bibisco

bibisco, thanks to its novel planning software, can help you build and complete the premise of your novel.

The author has the opportunity to take inspiration, make notes and calmly reason out the real meaning of the narrative. It will thus be easier to start writing a story, keeping in mind this fundamental element that, as we have explained, moves the whole narrative in the background.

bibisco's architecture section - What is the Premise of a Novel? — bibisco’s architecture section

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Conclusions

What is the premise of a novel? In storytelling, plot, and premise are two fundamental elements, similar but simultaneously different.
The premise is the closure of the story. It explains why certain events happened and, therefore, is linked to the plot. The premise coincides, thus, with the why of the narrative.

How Do You Create a Character From a Detail?

By Andrea Feccomandi | April 22, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Often it is the details that make the difference. Those details, especially, that you don’t initially pay attention to but later turn out to be a key part of the story. In some cases, it is an object (the famous Checkov’s gun), and in others, a detail that belongs to a character.

That is why sometimes characters are born from a point, as we explain in this article on character development.

What are these details? How do you create a character from a detail? Let’s see how.

What Does “Create a Character From a Detail” Mean?

Have you ever heard a song and thought of a person you know? Or see a drawing and relate it to your best friend’s tattoo?

Think about your friendships. Surely there is a physical detail, such as hair color, the texture of a face, the way they interact and speak, or even clothing that immediately brings you back to a person.

These details are those particulars that stick in the mind so much that we remember those particular people even when we should not associate with them. How many connections exist between people and details?

In the world of fiction, it is the same. A character can be created from physicality, background, or personality, even from a simple detail.

How to Create a Character From a Detail?

One way to start building a character can be to think backward. So don’t start creating the character but think about a detail and then create its owner.

Look around and be inspired. What catches your attention? A color? You could write about a character with intense green eye color, or if you think of red, a protagonist with red hair. Do you like a particular car, a song, or a piece of clothing? Starting with this detail, imagine what the character would look like related to it and create it.

However, remember that that detail will be so crucial within your novel that it must almost become a protagonist along with the character you create. The reader, reviewing that object or thinking back to that detail even in reality, will automatically have to think back to your character.

Characters Born From Details: Some Examples

There is a broad psychological aspect to creating a character from a detail. If you succeed in your purpose, your reader will carry the narrative with him always, in his mind.

For example, think of Harry Potter‘s scar. This detail is so specific that one only has to see it again, even separately from Harry Potter, to think of the world’s most famous wizard immediately.

Similarly, a green and red striped shirt immediately triggers terror in fans of horror readings and movies, thinking back to the horror character Freddy Krueger.

This is the power of detail. They may appear to be unimportant, but they are, in fact, of great value because if well used, they enable the reader to become attached to a character and never to forget them again.

“There are films that we have loved so much, characters that have stayed so much in our hearts, that they have affected our attitudes, choices and even the loves of our lives.”
Giuseppe Tobia

Choose the Right Detail for Your Character With Bibisco

bibisco features novel writing software that lets you keep track of any detail of your story.
In the case of creating a character, you can establish their physical character traits here, make notes on their past and even think about the detail that sets them apart.
It will be easier to remember all the characters to be created thanks to this software and the ability to develop a detailed sheet for each character in your story.

How do you create a character from a detail? - bibisco blog | useful resources by your novel writing software — bibisco main character’s section

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Conclusion

Details make a difference, even in narration.

They can be the particular features of a character that the reader becomes attached to and will never forget.

Unleash your imagination and create a complex character, starting with a small detail that catches your attention.

Best Word Processor for Writers: Why bibisco is the Top Choice

By Andrea Feccomandi | April 16, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

If you’re a writer, you know how important it is to have a reliable and efficient word processor. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. However, bibisco has emerged as the ideal tool for writers of all genres.

bibisco is a user-friendly, customizable word processor that helps writers organize their ideas, develop their characters and plot, and export their work in various formats. Here are the top reasons why bibisco is the best word processor for writers.

Characteristics of a Word Processor for Writers

bibisco is a feature-rich word processor that caters specifically to the needs of writers. It offers a range of tools and resources to help writers streamline their writing process and improve their productivity.

One of the key features of bibisco is its user-friendly interface. The interface is clean and intuitive, allowing writers to focus on their writing without any distractions. Additionally, bibisco offers a customizable writing environment. This means that writers can adjust the font size, color, and background to suit their preferences.

Another great feature of bibisco is its organizational tools. bibisco allows writers to organize their ideas into chapters, scenes, and parts. This makes it easy to keep track of the structure of their work and ensure that each chapter and scene flows seamlessly into the next.

Furthermore, bibisco offers character and plot development resources. Writers can create detailed profiles for their characters, including their backstory, personality traits, and relationships with other characters. They can also outline their plot and track the progress of their story.

Lastly, bibisco offers export and formatting options. Writers can export their work in various formats, including PDF, DOCX, and EPUB. This makes it easy for writers to share their work with others and submit it for publication.

Comparison Between bibisco and Other Word Processors

Compared to other word processors, bibisco offers unique features that cater specifically to the needs of writers. For example, Microsoft Word is a popular word processor that is widely used by writers. However, it lacks the organization tools and character and plot development resources that bibisco offers. Furthermore, the interface of Microsoft Word can be cluttered and distracting, which can hinder the writing process.

Another popular word processor is Google Docs. While Google Docs offers a clean and user-friendly interface, it also lacks the organization tools and character and plot development resources that bibisco offers. Additionally, Google Docs does not offer the same level of customization options as bibisco.

Overall, bibisco stands out from other word processors for its unique features and user-friendly interface.

bibisco's user-friendly interface — bibisco’s user-friendly interface

Testimonials From bibisco’s Satisfied Users

Many writers have already discovered the benefits of using bibisco. Here are a few testimonials from satisfied users, real tweets by real writers.

Downloaded free version of @bibiscotweet. Within minutes, I discovered all the features for novel writing that I’ve been trying to emulate with Google Docs and Evernote (at least for this project). 👍🎉 #NaNoWriMo
Jenna Weiner (@RatherGeeky)

I really love bibisco, it’s an equivalent of a good old typewriter for me, but with all the useful stuff. Thank you!
Dmytro Yarynych (@DmytroYarynych)

@bibiscotweet I have been searching for something better than the old standby to write books. I have been Ghost Writing and will publish two books and one shorter illustrated story. How do I describe bibisco in one word? Refreshing! I bought a SUPPORTERS EDITION.
Stanton Jeffers (@stanton_jeffers)

Conclusion

In conclusion, bibisco is the best word processor for writers. Its unique features, user-friendly interface, and organization tools make it ideal for authors, screenwriters, and novelists looking to streamline their writing process and improve their productivity.

If you’re a writer looking for a reliable and efficient word processor, consider giving bibisco a try. You won’t be disappointed!

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Do You Know the Purpose of Your Characters?

By Andrea Feccomandi | April 8, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

In a narrative, there are different characters with different roles. Each has its own story and character, but what do your characters want?

Do You Know the Purpose of Your Characters?

Even when it is not made explicit, the reader knows that a reason is there and that the character has a definite purpose.

What Do We Mean When We Say: “Do You Know the Purpose of Your Characters?”

As anticipated, there are different types of characters in a narrative.
There is the protagonist, the antagonist, the opponent, the helper, even the object, and finally, the facilitator.

Each of them has a specific purpose within the story, even if it is not always made explicit. However, the fact that it is not overt does not mean that it does not exist; on the contrary.

A story is thus like a machine, and the characters are the engine: if the characters do nothing, the story goes nowhere.

To tell a story, whether writing a short story or a novel, it is, therefore, necessary to determine which and how many characters will animate the scene, what relationships exist between them, what physical and personality traits each has, and how they will evolve in the course of the story.

How to create something that characters want

When it comes to creating a character, we need to keep in mind some basic steps that we summarize below.

1 ) Hierarchy

The first step is the hierarchy among characters.

You determine who has a predominant role over another, which characters are the main characters, and which are the marginal ones.

2) Characterization

The second step is that of characterization.

In addition to purely physical characteristics, what character does your character have? What is their history, their past? Consider these aspects, think about them, and write them down. It is precisely these moments that could provide him with a purpose within the story. Or, at any rate, condition them in their actions.

3) Psychological evolution

The third step concerns the psychological evolution of the characters

Characters can be more predictable, referred to for this reason as flat characters, or round characters:

Flat characters do not give the reader many twists and turns and stay true to their own way of being without any particular changes.
Round characters, on the other hand, are more multifaceted, more complex, and unpredictable. They give the reader more surprises and twists.

This aims to define the pattern of one’s characters. And to create a purpose for each of them.

A good author creates a story and characters by guiding the reader without the purpose for each character being too obvious. This will leave a sense of wonder and excitement engaging the reader.

An Example of a Character Who Knows Exactly What to Want

Think of the Harry Potter novels and the main antagonist of the world’s most famous wizard, Voldemort.

In the first book, one might think that Voldemort’s purpose is to get hold of the Philosopher’s Stone, and we focus on this single piece of the puzzle.

In reality, this character has a much larger plan in mind, which is not shared with the audience until the last part of the magical saga.

However, when the readers find out what the character wants, they are pleasantly surprised and begin to realize that the character, during the narrative, knew precisely what he wanted.

A character is what he does, yes- but even more, a character is what he means to.
Orson Scott Card

Develop Your Characters With Bibisco Novel Writing Software

An author cannot devote equal attention to every character. However, they must do so with the main characters. They need a purpose to lead them throughout the narrative.

One of the best tactics many authors use is creating cards that keep track of the information revolving around the character.

If it were software, however, wouldn’t that be even better?

With bibisco’s novel writing software, you can write about a character and ensure that the reader does not discover their purpose in the narrative until the last moment.

bibisco's character development - Do You Know the Purpose of Your Characters? — _{bibisco’s character development}

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Conclusions

Do You Know the Purpose of Your Characters? Sometimes it may seem, in a narrative, that some characters have no specific purpose within the story.

The reader, however, does not always remember that characters, especially the main ones, know exactly what they want and aim for, even if they do not make this explicit throughout the story.

Every moment is constructed to lead to the ending in which the reader discovers what the character really wants, being pleasantly surprised and amazed.

This is indeed the purpose of concealing the character’s will.

How to Create a Great Prologue and Epilogue for Your Story

By Andrea Feccomandi | March 27, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

In addition to the many narrative techniques and characters we have discussed in bibisco blog, there is one fundamental aspect of any narrative. Create a great prologue and epilogue. What is the difference between these two? There are specific characteristics they should have. Let us look at the details of the prologue and epilogue together.

Create great prologue and epilogue: differences between them

Before speaking about how to create a great prologue and epilogue, we have to clarify what they really are. First of all, the prologue is the antecedent, it is the introduction to the narrative. In fiction, the prologue may have the function of introducing the action or anticipating it. It can also act as an initial explanation or even, in some cases, anticipate the ending of the story.

The epilogue, on the contrary, is the ending of a novel. This is also the moment when the reader leaves the imaginary world created by the writer and returns to the real world.

Create great prologue and epilogue: characteristics and roles

Many authors recommend writing the prologue at the end of the writing process when you have a clear idea of the novel. Others, however, believe that the prologue should be written earlier because it helps the author in writing the story.
In any case, it is good to remember that the prologue must add something to the narrative. It must not be superfluous or repeat elements that are already contained in the narrative. As we have anticipated, its purpose is to interest the reader and anticipate the narrative.

Concerning epilogues, to write good endings, you can recall images, details, and symbols that you have previously included in the story so that the prologue, development, and epilogue compose a solid and homogeneous structure. An author can, as Tarantino did in Pulp Fiction, end by linking back to the opening scene.

Why create a great prologue and epilogue for your story

The prologue, when present, has specific purposes. It must immediately interest the reader and anticipate the story.
It is, therefore, a very useful element, especially when the story is very complex, has many facets, or if the author uses a complex narrative technique such as one that requires the use of several time plans, or many characters.

The epilogue, on the other hand, which corresponds to the ending of the narrative, should surprise the reader. It must aim to leave the reader satisfied, and melancholic at the departure of the story and the characters. It must be unexpected, but in the end, the only possible ending.

Some examples of the prologue

There are in fact, two types of prologue: one that is part of the story and one that is external to the narrative and has an autonomous function.

An example of a prologue used very often, also in the world of cinema, is the flashforward. This consists of anticipating an important event that occurs later in the story. Usually, after inserting this type of prologue, the story should begin with the words ‘tot. hours before’ or ‘tot. years before’.

Another very frequent example is the ‘zero point‘ of the story. That is the explanation of the triggering event. Usually, this prologue involves secondary characters or characters who do not play a significant role in the story.
After inserting this prologue, the story begins with the words ‘tot. hours/years later’.

Some examples of the epilogue

There are different types of epilogues. On one side, the closed epilogue answers all the questions that were posed in the plot, and every character finds its square. Everything is explained by a cause. On the other side, the open epilogue leaves certain doubts in the mind of the reader, who will be forced to guess based on the events and clues in the plot. It is suitable if a sequel to the story is planned.

The author can use other two types of epilogue. The circular one takes the reader back to the starting point. It ends the novel with the same concept, image, or words used at the beginning. Finally, there is the In media res epilogue.

This is increasingly adopted today. The novel ends when the story is not yet finished, for instance, with a gesture, a description, or a dialogue. There is the feeling of a suspended, ambiguous ending, which is meant to give the impression that the story is much longer (it starts earlier and ends later) and we are only spectators of a segment.

The key to the ending of any story lies in giving the audience what they want, but not in the way they expect.
William Goldman

Use bibisco to create a great prologue and epilogue for your story

The prologue and the epilogue have two particular roles, as we have explained. However, they are not easy elements to write and create from scratch because they can lead to confusion, in the case of the epilogue, or fall into the infodump (overabundance of information) in the case of the prologue. Take advantage of bibisco‘s story planning software to write your narration, prologue, and epilogue.

bibisco allows you to keep track of any element, note, and characteristic. You won’t leave anything to chance, and you won’t risk repeating information. You will then have fantastic help!

bibisco's chapters' section - How to Create a Great Prologue and Epilogue — bibisco’s chapters’ section

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Conclusions

How to create a great prologue and epilogue for your story? The prologue and the epilogue are two fundamental elements of narration. But it is not as easy to write them, as it may seem. They have specific characteristics and roles in narration, and they have to be written with attention to be a great prologue and epilogue.