The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger is one of my favorite craft books. Carriger explains "5 Key Ingredients" of the storytelling journey in an entertaining and thoughtful way.
Welcome to the craft books & Blue is My Favorite Color section of my bookshelf. I'll share the retellings side as soon as I add Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta and the Emma Project by Sonali Dev that both release this spring.
“Biological sex characteristics are irrelevant to whether a main character is a hero or heroine,” Carriger.
I love that this book touches on this right up front. Everyone can go on a heroine's journey.
How did The Heroine's Journey Make it to my Favorites List?
Chapter 7: Everything Gothic
Carriger concisely outlines Gothic literature; a useful background on Gothic history, Gothic Archetypes, and including a detailed Gothic journey & tropes. While writing my latest work in progress, a Gothic Beach Romance, I loved jumping into the Gothic setting as character and expanding on an ever changing atmospheric landscape. In addition, Carriger also references Star Trek and To All the Boys I've Loved Before, two of my favorites. This craft book is a delightful read and I know I'll be using it as I craft more WIPs.