Becoming the Myth-Maker

Every great myth starts with a memorable character. Unlike normal people, mythological heroes often possess a Mythological Trait. This is a special quality, power, or flaw that sets them apart. Think of Midas and his golden touch, or Achilles and his legendary strength. To create your own, think of a 'super-ability' tied to nature or human behavior. Your character doesn't need to be a god; they just need one trait that makes their story possible. For example, a character who can hear the whispers of the wind or someone whose tears turn into silver pebbles.

A myth needs a path to follow. We use a simple formula: $Story = Beginning + Middle + End$. In the Beginning, you introduce your hero and the 'Normal World.' Something then happens to disrupt that world—this is the inciting incident. The Middle is the heart of the story where the hero faces a struggle or a test. This is where the action rises! Finally, the End provides a resolution. The hero succeeds or fails, and the world is changed forever. In myths, the ending often explains why something in nature looks or acts the way it does today.

Many myths are aetiological, which is a fancy word for 'explanatory.' They explain the cause of something. While ancient myths explained thunder or seasons, you can explain modern things! Why do phones run out of battery? Why is there 'lag' in a video game? Why do we have to go to school? When you write your myth, pick a phenomenon (an observable event) and create a magical reason for it. This turns a boring fact into a legendary tale.