So many directions for this one. I suppose I should start with the basics here, and then move on.
What is mythology?
According to Merriam Webster, mythology is “the study of myths.” Surprise! Since that tells us nothing, myths (still according to MW) are “ideas that are believed by many people but that are not true.”
So, mythology is the study of lies. Or, maybe the study of the creators of those lies as well. I like to call them “lying liars who lie.” 🙂
We all create mythology. The joy of our individuality is the fact that we craft our very own narrative as we live our lives. Most of us, I think, probably stick pretty close to reality. Then again, it is often said that perception is reality, so I’m not sure how truthful our realistic narratives might be.
As a writer, I find I can often forget the myths I am creating. It’s a story, and I view it as such. But a myth? Myth can be powerful, myth can be instructive: a warning, or a promise, a way to view the future or the past. All of those aspects are contained within myths, along with others.
When you create your myth, what does it contain? Beyond writing from your heart, what story do you LONG to tell? That’s the story that should be committed to the page, not what you think you ought to write or what you think people want to read. It’s your myth. You get to write it your way.
When we move onto the mythology, we get into the marketing side – the beta readers, the reviewers, and the how-tos of platform building. All of these pieces comprise the study of your myth. The final students being, of course, your readers.
Even when you’re afraid, weave that spell for your readers. Draw them into your myth.
Happy writing, happy #Monday, and blessings to you all…