Mark Ristau's Blog - Posts Tagged "possibility"

Based in part on actual events, A Hero Dreams is a deeply personal narrative that explores, through the eyes of a child, the age-old problem of violence. In some ways, it’s a disturbing, even harrowing, tale—one that delves into the very darkest realms of the human psyche. Yet there’s a spark of hope, a ray of sunlight—albeit razor thin—shining from deep within the troubled soul of our protagonist, ten-year-old Ricky Williamson. Ultimately, A Hero Dreams joins forces with the second two books in the Hero’s Path series to paint a far-reaching arc that tells a story of possibility and the power of forgiveness to heal society’s most ancient wounds...
A Hero Dreams
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Virginia Tech. Sandy Hook. Charleston. Orlando. Las Vegas.

How long will the epidemic continue? Will it get worse before it gets better? Is there anything we can do to rid ourselves of this terrible disease?

A Hero Dreams is a novel that offers a message of hope to a world too often afflicted by fear, anger, political divisiveness, mass shootings, and other forms of horrific violence. It's a work of visionary fiction that explores, through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy, the age-old problem of violence. Visionary, because the story challenges the reader to consider the possibility…the possibility of peace…of inner peace, peace within our neighborhoods and communities, and yes, even the possibility of global peace…

These issues are, of course, timely and important. The world we live in seems to be increasingly fragmented and divisive, not only in our political discourse, but in the manner in which we treat people we view as somehow different from us, based on race, gender, religious belief, etc.

It is my personal belief that the discord and violence will come to an end only when we embrace the simple truth that each of us is an integral part of an interconnected, interdependent whole...


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During his brilliant career as a scholar of comparative mythology, Joseph Campbell introduced us to a paradigm for storytelling that became known as the "Hero's Journey." As a narrative pattern, examples of the Hero's Journey can be found in stories told throughout ancient and modern history, including George Lucas's Star Wars, whose most recent chapter, "The Last Jedi," opened this weekend.

The Hero's Journey leads us to the edge of a threshold, where we are faced with a choice—take the next step or turn back...

On the other side of the threshold lies a world of possibility and opportunities for personal achievement, artistic/professional advancement, spiritual growth, connection with others, and love...

But something holds us back—it's all those thoughts in our heads, those all-too-logical reasons: "Now is not the right time. It's too dangerous. A fool's errand! I might lose everything I've worked so hard to achieve." It's all those doubts and fears...fears of loss, failure, rejection, making a mistake. Most of all, I think, it's fear of the unknown...

On this side of the threshold lies the comfort and security of the familiar. The routine can be tedious, but at least it's safe.

Yet we have the power of choice. We can choose to let go of the past and embrace the possibility of something different, something revolutionary, a taste of freedom...Yes! We can choose to face our fears and take that step into the unknown...it just requires a little faith and a little courage...

Joseph Campbell would advise us to "follow our bliss" into the year 2018 and beyond...

A Hero Dreams
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The Christmas story is a story of birth—the birth of new ideas and new possibilities. It is a story of renewal, of the rebirth of the human spirit. It is a story of generosity and gratitude.

More than any year in recent memory, 2017 seems to support the notion of just how fragmented and disconnected we are from each other. But we're not. We're not defined by 2017. Nor are we defined by the past.

During this holiday season, we find ourselves on the threshold of a new year—yes, filled with uncertainty and fear, but also hope and faith, knowing that we can choose to let go of our fears and embrace the possibility of something new, something fresh, something extraordinary...

So let's take a moment to listen—to set aside reason and logic—and just listen...listen to the whisper of a snowflake, or the crash of a wave on a distant shore...for in that whisper or crash, we shall discover the wisdom that lies in our hearts...

Generosity. Generosity and gratitude.

Merry Christmas!

A Hero Dreams

It's New Year's Eve. Outside my window, purple shadows are stretching across St. Paul's frozen landscape, and the sun is setting on 2017 for the very last time.

On this New Year's Eve, we find ourselves, like Ricky Williamson in my novel A Hero Dreams, standing on the edge of a threshold. When Ricky arrives at his threshold, he hesitates. On the other side lies the promise of a fresh start and a world of infinite possibility. Yet something holds him back. There's uncertainty, trepidation, fear. Of course he's come too far to reverse course, but like every person who walks the hero's journey, he must take a moment to gather his courage before entering the unknown—an unknown where new possibilities are waiting to be born...

So let's take a moment—and a deep breath—before entering 2018. Let's take an inventory of lessons learned and forgive ourselves for mistakes made. It doesn't matter how many times we've repeated our mistakes; the new year offers us an opportunity to follow a new path—the hero's path, for each of us is indeed a hero...

And let's gather our courage before taking that next step, for courage we will surely need if our intention is to create a new reality for ourselves, a new story, a new dream...

What's your dream for 2018? One based on past experiences and old mind patterns? Or one you choose freely with an open heart? We're all about to be handed a blank page. What do you intend to do with yours?

A Hero Dreams
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We seem to live in a world hopelessly plagued by the problem of violence in its all-too-many manifestations—from bullying to sexual harassment to rape to mass shootings to global terrorism and war.

This problem is hardly a new one. In fact, human conflict and war have existed at least ever since the rise of modern civilizations in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Fertile Crescent (circa 3500 BC).

But we should not allow this fact to prevent us from having conversations about the possibility...the possibility of peace, of inner peace, peace between individuals, peace within our neighborhoods and communities, and yes, even the possibility of global peace.

It might seem like a naive or even crazy idea, but we can have these conversations. We can have these conversations if we refuse to be defined by the past. In A Hero Dreams, 10-year-old Ricky Williamson is able to embrace the possibility of a brighter future when he lets go of his fear, severs his connection with the past, and crosses the "threshold."

Let's have a conversation about what we can learn from this 10-year-old boy...

A Hero Dreams
Mark Ristau
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In the first few pages of A Hero Dreams, our protagonist—a little boy named Ricky—is just moments from drowning in a gulf-side swimming pool when suddenly time stops, and an angel appears. A feeling of peace washes over him as she speaks in a voice that seems to come from within.

Something's wrong here, my love...and together we're going to make it right.

The something that's wrong is not Ricky, of course, but the violent world he's been born into. Thus, his quest begins. Surviving this near-death experience, he embarks on a journey that leads to the edge of a threshold, where everything he's ever dreamed of finally seems to be within his reach. All he has to do is take a step forward—a single step forward. But something holds him back.

Where is Ricky's angel when he needs her most?

We soon learn that she never left him, that she was with him every step of the journey, loving him with all her heart...

We also learn that, through love and forgiveness, it is possible to break the cycle of violence we've all been born into. This theme is further developed in the second and third books of the Hero’s Path series. Along the way, we are exposed to unpleasant, but invaluable, insights into this age-old problem of violence. In the end, we are rewarded with an uplifting message of hope—hope for the possibility of peace in our time. Stay tuned.

A Hero Dreams
Mark Ristau
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Nothing inspires me more than the idea that the impossible can be made possible…that stories have the power to transform the final arbiter of reality—the human mind. What could be a more “visionary” undertaking than to embark on a writing journey whose mission is to change the very nature of reality by influencing human perception?

My work is based on the fundamental principle that we write to inspire our readers with the idea that anything is possible. It’s true that there are plenty of very talented authors out there who write for no other purpose than to entertain their audiences. And this is fine. Perhaps even necessary. But we should be aware of the dangers inherent in introducing trivialized content into our culture.

I left behind a lucrative career as a corporate attorney with a very specific purpose in mind: To bring something new into the world—a story that would challenge its readers to think about society’s oldest problems in new ways…in short, to transform consciousness…

I’ve always been fascinated by stories that explore the fluid nature of time, space, and reality. The first such story I read was An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce, which I was assigned in a 7th grade humanities class. The idea that time was not an absolute concept, and that a writer could manipulate it to serve compelling literary purposes knocked my socks off.

Much later, I was introduced to the work of Paulo Coelho and Joseph Campbell, who became my most important writing influences. In fact, the narrative pattern identified by Joseph Campbell is a pattern I employed in writing the manuscript for A Hero Dreams, originally entitled “Even the Banyan Tree Know Peace.” This narrative pattern—"The Hero’s Journey”—follows the hero across a threshold into a supernatural world where lessons are learned, and wisdom gained. The idea that we can come face-to-face with life’s secrets through such a visionary quest has always captivated me.

To me, Visionary Fiction is a genre that allows writers to share stories about what is possible without being shackled by preconceived notions of how things are and how they ought to be. It’s a genre that encourages writers to break the rules and make discoveries that otherwise might have lain dormant for years…or perhaps forever…

Mark Ristau
www.MarkRistau.com

Human beings have been grappling with the problem of violence ever since the rise of the world's first civilizations some 5500 years ago. My novel, A Hero Dreams, explores this seemingly intransigent problem through the eyes of a child—a ten-year-old boy named Ricky. Early in the story, Ricky suffers multiple childhood traumas: a near-drowning at the age of four; the loss of his father when he's only eight. Later, he falls victim to a brutal assault at the hands of an older boy named Spencer Black.

The path that leads to the end of our suffering—and ultimately to inner peace—requires courage. This is not a time for squeamishness. We must embrace that which is most abhorrent to us and walk through the dark of night in order to witness the glorious dawn of a new day. This is why our journey is called the "Hero's Journey." It is a journey that lies well outside our comfort zone. It is a journey that will test our resolve. Along the way, we will be forced to face the very ugliest, the most vile aspects of human nature. This is unavoidable. We must face the dark if we wish to one day see the light...

We've learned that avoiding pain by burying unpleasant memories doesn't work. Our demons are clever. They have a way of resurfacing when we least expect it, often at the most inopportune moments.

Now here's the good news: Within each of us lies a hero—a hero of virtually unlimited resources. We have the tools and the power to choose to live our lives as men and women of courage. We are not defined by the past, nor do our fears have control over us.

In A Hero Dreams, Ricky's journey leads him through a metaphorical and literal "Tunnel of Doom," where all his demons are lying in wait. With each step, he must relive the terrors of his past—a necessary rite of exorcism. His only defense is to speak directly to the demons: "You're not real...None of this is real!" He's right. As we shall learn, the demons live—have always lived—inside his head and not in the material world.

As Ricky approaches the tunnel's end, he spies a speck of light that fills him with hope. When finally he emerges, his heart overflows with gratitude, and he lets loose with an exuberant yawp. But his journey is not yet over. There's a voice. A mysterious voice is enticing him to take one more step—a step that will transport him across a threshold and into another world...a world of infinite possibility...

A Hero Dreams
Mark Ristau
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A little bird informs me (I’m never one to ignore the wisdom of a little bird) that there’s something of great significance inside of you, something valuable that needs to be shared with the world…something that wants to come out and play…

My advice is to let it out…just tell your story! Tell it in whatever manner, in whatever medium feels right for you. Don’t worry about getting it right or whether it will be accepted by others. Just tell your story and tell it from your heart. Don’t think about it…just step aside and let your heart reveal itself authentically…and gloriously. Let your light shine!

Too often, in this transactional, results-oriented world of ours, we filter our messages; we tell our story in a way that we think is likely to please others. This is understandable. There is a deep-seeded, primal need within each of us for acceptance, acknowledgement, and recognition. A need to connect with others. But I urge you to tell your story regardless of whether it’s likely to be received with critical or general acclaim. The only way to establish a true connection with others is by first being true to ourselves.

It took me many years to discover within myself the courage to write and publish my novel, A Hero Dreams; and when I did, I made a conscious effort to resist the temptation to pander to commercial interests. Rather, I told my story as authentically as I could and without regard to how well it might be received. Maintaining creative freedom was (and is) of critical importance to me, which is why I chose to bring A Hero Dreams into the world via the indie publishing route. It had always been (and continues to be) my intention to bring something new into the world—something that inspires readers with the idea that anything is possible…

“How to begin?” Well, first of all, find yourself a sacred space and brew a really nice cup of coffee (or tea, if you prefer!)…and then…just write. My preferred method is to start with a pen and a legal pad and later migrate to a computer. But if you feel more comfortable in front of your keyboard and screen, then by all means, start by hammering away at the computer! Eventually, you’ll want to think about structure and to develop an outline, but for now, just write, revise, and write some more…

A final word—nothing truly great was ever accomplished by following a formula or by guessing at what message might resonate with an audience…it MUST come from your heart…and you must have faith that your story will find its audience…so start writing—no matter how simple, short, silly, complex, long or gravely serious your story might be. We NEED to hear your voice. It’s the only thing that can save our world…