Comments on The WriteRunner: Story Structure Part IV: Meeting with the Mentor

Sometimes the mentor just needs to show the pupil ...

2009-10-20T15:33:07.554-07:00

Sometimes the mentor just needs to show the pupil why he's in charge... and nothing says wachout sonny, than a good beatdown. I've often wondered how much cooler Luke would've been if Ben Kenobi would've just smacked him around at least once, and told him how it was.

And yes, mentors can be villains..The best, in my opinion.

Wow, you guys are good! Sara wins by a nose...she ...

2009-10-19T14:26:15.428-07:00

Wow, you guys are good!
Sara wins by a nose...she beat Laura by 5 seconds! Send me an email if you want a prize!

Mentor != Mom. A Mentor is not there to protect the Hero, he is there to train him, and sometimes training can get ugly.

As far as "don't be an Ally," you need to separate the Ally and Mentor roles. Sometimes a Mentor is teaching you how to do something the Mentor himself can't...for evil purposes. Mentors can become villains. Some of the Mentors in Harry Potter eventually turn against him.

I would have to disagree with: "Prevent the Hero f...

2009-10-19T12:57:45.048-07:00

I would have to disagree with: "Prevent the Hero from making mistakes that would cause the Hero suffering." Sometimes that's the only way a lesson can be learned.

Perfect timing for your post. I just introduced t...

2009-10-19T12:57:39.720-07:00

Perfect timing for your post. I just introduced the mentor into my WIP a few days ago!

Ummm... And I think I'm going to disagree that the mentor prevents the hero from making mistakes that would cause him to suffer...

A mentor may give insight into why a hero shouldn't go about things a certain way, but often the hero misses the point, or lets his emotions get the better of him, or decides not to listen in the first place. Then the mentor steps aside so the hero can learn through the consequences of his own suffering.

Or should I disagree with "don't be an ally to the hero"? Because if the 'mentor' is feeding false information, doesn't that in fact negate the character's role as a mentor? OR on the flip side, if the mentor's feeding false information... wouldn't he try to at least appear as the hero's ally so that the hero will fall for whatever the lies are?