1. The Wonderful World of Literature Yes, it is wonderful. Well, 100% of interesting and intelligent people find it wonderful. What does that say about you? J.K. Not really.

2. Here are some rules... Alright...first, these are not true 100% of the time. Alright...first, these are not true 100% of the time. I don’t have an exact percentage, per se, however, these general rules typically apply to literature. I don’t have an exact percentage, per se, however, these general rules typically apply to literature. Your authors know them and use them as guides for their stories. Your authors know them and use them as guides for their stories. They do. I like, totally swear. They do. I like, totally swear.

3. Rule 1: Every Trip is a Quest What you need for a Quest Story: What you need for a Quest Story: a knight--a dangerous road a knight--a dangerous road a Holy Grail (no, not just the Holy Grail)—a symbolic grail will do. a Holy Grail (no, not just the Holy Grail)—a symbolic grail will do. a princess--an evil knight a princess--an evil knight a stated reason to go a stated reason to go the REAL reason to go the REAL reason to go

4. The REAL reason to go is ALWAYS self-knowledge. The REAL reason to go is ALWAYS self-knowledge. This is why the quester (not a real word) is typically young. This is why the quester (not a real word) is typically young. Think for a moment about Star Wars. Yes, fine, I am aware that there are some of you who have not seen this glorious film. As per usual, I feel deeply sorry for you and worry over your futures. Think for a moment about Star Wars. Yes, fine, I am aware that there are some of you who have not seen this glorious film. As per usual, I feel deeply sorry for you and worry over your futures. Fact: 100% of people with any imagination or creativity think that Star Wars is awesome. Fact: 100% of people with any imagination or creativity think that Star Wars is awesome. Don’t whine. Your objections are sooo predictable, uncreative, and unimaginative. Don’t whine. Your objections are sooo predictable, uncreative, and unimaginative.

5. Anyway... Star Wars: Star Wars: Luke – a young knight whose identity is in question. Luke – a young knight whose identity is in question. Leaves his home, ostensibly, to save a princess. Leaves his home, ostensibly, to save a princess. Is challenged by Darth Vader (an evil knight). Is challenged by Darth Vader (an evil knight). Learns of his true identity and after saving the princess, ultimately balances the universe. Learns of his true identity and after saving the princess, ultimately balances the universe. His Holy Grail? His Holy Grail? I don’t know—maybe the princess serves as the grail...the REAL purpose is to learn who he is and what he has to do to restore balance to the universe—the REAL reason for leaving home. I don’t know—maybe the princess serves as the grail...the REAL purpose is to learn who he is and what he has to do to restore balance to the universe—the REAL reason for leaving home.

6. RULE 2: Communion Communion is more than a religious ritual. Communion is more than a religious ritual. Anytime people eat or drink together, they are engaging in an act of communion. Anytime people eat or drink together, they are engaging in an act of communion. Nearly every religion has some liturgical or social ritual involving the coming together of the faithful to share sustenance. Nearly every religion has some liturgical or social ritual involving the coming together of the faithful to share sustenance. Think about who we eat with—you do not typically break bread with enemies. Think about who we eat with—you do not typically break bread with enemies.

7. Think about it—writing a meal scene would be boring and would read as boring...there must be a larger purpose. Think about it—writing a meal scene would be boring and would read as boring...there must be a larger purpose. Communion is about shared experience. Communion is about shared experience. Taking a shared substance (almost any substance) into our bodies says— “I’m with you...we’re in this together.” Taking a shared substance (almost any substance) into our bodies says— “I’m with you...we’re in this together.” Food/substances can be a way of breaking barriers. Food/substances can be a way of breaking barriers.

8. Communion gone bad... Sometimes, an author can use the meal, or missed meal, or bad meal, or meal where people fight, to say something larger about what is going on with the characters beyond what is actually happening. Sometimes, an author can use the meal, or missed meal, or bad meal, or meal where people fight, to say something larger about what is going on with the characters beyond what is actually happening.

9. Rule 3: Ghosts and Vampires are Never About Ghosts and Vampires. Unless they’re sparkly, and then we’re not really reading Literature anyway, are we. Unless they’re sparkly, and then we’re not really reading Literature anyway, are we. If, in your head, you are thinking those stories are literature, I pray you did not, and do not, express this out loud. If, in your head, you are thinking those stories are literature, I pray you did not, and do not, express this out loud. Regardless, the appearance of a ghost is always about something more than the ghost. Regardless, the appearance of a ghost is always about something more than the ghost. Let’s think about Hamlet. Let’s think about Hamlet.

10. The Vampire Story No, this is not a new rule...remember, the title of the prior slide had the word “vampire” in it? No, this is not a new rule...remember, the title of the prior slide had the word “vampire” in it? What you need: What you need: an older figure representing corrupt, outworn values. an older figure representing corrupt, outworn values. a young female (virgin preferred) a young female (virgin preferred) a stripping away of her youth, energy, and virtue. a stripping away of her youth, energy, and virtue. a continuance of the life force of the old male a continuance of the life force of the old male the death or destruction (can be figurative) of the young female. the death or destruction (can be figurative) of the young female.