"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.................."
Nearly everyone in America can tell you what story is about to begin when you quote that line from Star Wars.
"Mr.& Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much." Every kid in the world old enough to read, and their parents, recognizes this line from Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone.
Why? Why are these stories so sensational, so palatable to today's audiences?
The answer lies deep within our past. Humans have deep-seated ideologies. All great authors layer their books to touch upon universal appetites. The audience isn't even cognizant of the cues to which they're responding. They just feel satisfied. It's like a fantastic meal which sates the diner on every level. But not everyone does it as well as George Lucas, who made the STAR WARS series into an American myth, or J. K. Rowling, who created ad feast for the whole world.
To make your book more memorable, layer your story. Most authors do it subconsciously. Can you do it purposefully and still do it well? I don't know about J.K. Rowling, but I know George Lucas set out to write a story which would sweep his audience away. Yes, he had the advantage of literally bringing his story to life on the big screen, but there are many movies with great special effects which didn't satiate their intended audiences.
Lucas is very interested in mythology. Among other things, he studies Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and used recurring ideologies to enthrall his audience. The hero's journey was his wide theme. Then he brought us not one hero, but a varied menu.. He used visual clues to tell us about the characters. Darth Vadar and petite Princess Leia in flowing white, speak to our deep-seated prejudges about good and evil. Leia begins her journey as the sleeping princess, a familiar theme, but this princess is a modern girl who argues with her prince and takes heroic actions of her own.
Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker? Is this a stretch? No. Harry's a powerful wizard who's being raised by muggles (non-magic folk). He doesn't know he's not an ordinary guy. Luke is also full of potential, and he's being raised on a planet far away from his royal family. The hero is called to adventure by a character, and an incident, which sets his journey in motion. The entrees are different, but you can see similar ingredients.
These heroes save their worlds by developing their hidden potential. They begin their journeys of discovery in a place where the average person can relate to them. As the story goes on, the audience is privy to their many growing pains. Finally, the character is the only individual with the power, the experience, and the force to complete the task, and the audience is inspired. It's better than chocolate.
Layer your writing and your characters. It will please the palette of your reader, making your book a dining experience which they will never forget. They will reward you by feasting on your books for years to come.
Mara Fox is a member of SARA. Her first book was published by Silhouette Books in 2004.
©2001, San Antonio Romance Authors, all rights reserved, articles may not be reprinted without permission.
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