{"id":445949,"date":"2021-09-29T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-29T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?p=445949"},"modified":"2025-05-09T10:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T09:42:48","slug":"heros-journey-writing-compelling-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/heros-journey-writing-compelling-story\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hero’s Journey- Writing A Compelling Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most compelling storytelling structures that writers can use is The Hero\u2019s Journey. In 1949, Joseph Campbell published The Hero with a Thousand Faces<\/em>, where he discusses the central myth which he argues is at the heart of all stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However you look at it, the Hero\u2019s Journey has formed the basis for the narrative arc of a wide variety of literary works across time and all cultures \u2013 something we\u2019ll look at within this article. Mostly though, this story structure offers a great way to give your narrative both a strong arc and emotional power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, you\u2019ll learn the essential steps involved in the Hero\u2019s Journey in order to structure your novel with style. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is The Hero’s Journey?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Hero\u2019s Journey is a particular structure in which the lead \u2013 otherwise known as a hero, heroine<\/a> or protagonist \u2013 is called to head off on a journey or adventure in response to facing a problem or challenge. This issue leads them to set a specific narrative goal and they go off to achieve this, finding allies and facing enemies and their own weaknesses along the way. Once this aim has been achieved, the much-changed protagonist then returns home, bringing wisdom and knowledge to share with their community and loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve probably already realised from just reading the above summary that most literature uses this particular storytelling structure. In fact, it has similarities to the three act structure which is also used in drama and screenplays, as well as novels and memoirs to create a powerful narrative arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the rest of this article, I\u2019m going to set out the main steps of the Hero\u2019s Journey, so you can use them to build your own compelling story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stages Of The Hero’s Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All stories can be broken down into three stages \u2014 the beginning, middle and end \u2014 and the Hero\u2019s Journey is no different in the way that it is comprised of three main sections: Departure, Initiation and Return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opening Departure <\/em>section is very much focused on the way the hero is called to go on a quest (often reluctantly) due to having to deal with a problem or challenge. The Initiation<\/em> then takes place after they embark on their journey and begin to face obstacles, temptations and fears and develop skills and wisdom as a result which allow them to attain their narrative goal. Hence, once this has been achieved, they return home<\/em> triumphant and often more enlightened than before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a Star Wars<\/em> fan, you\u2019re probably thinking of how the geeky teen, Luke Skywalker, gets pushed by tragedy into his Hero\u2019s Journey of becoming a Jedi (he even mucks that up!), before defeating evil (cue scary Darth Vader voice!) \u2014 and you\u2019d be right on the money, as George Lucas was profoundly influenced by Campbell\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps Of The Hero’s Journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Campbell\u2019s original breakdown of the Hero\u2019s Journey, the hero\u2019s story is comprised of seventeen steps. However, in 1993, Vogler broke down this storytelling structure into just twelve steps in his book, The Writer\u2019s Journey, <\/em>making it much easier for authors to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll utilise this twelve stage model and I\u2019ll go through it step by step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ordinary World<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the start of the Hero\u2019s Journey, we get a glimpse of the everyday life of the lead and the unique world they inhabit. This allows us to grasp the setting if it\u2019s something unusual like we see in sci-fi or fantasy, but we are also able to start to get to know the hero and care about them, as well as noting some of their particular strengths and weaknesses which may get in their way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. The Call To Adventure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is what might also be seen as the narrative\u2019s inciting incident or trigger as it\u2019s what really sets the story and the whole Departure<\/em> section of the book going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It involves the hero having to face a problem or challenge \u2013 just as in the classical story of The Odyssey<\/em>, Odysseus is called to fight the Trojans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Refusal Of The Call<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The hero doesn\u2019t simply trot off on their journey though \u2013 Odysseus struggles with leaving his family and similar inner conflicts beset most leads during this stage, including fear at what might befall them if they accept the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By showing these doubts, the humanity of the hero is revealed and the high stakes of the journey ahead are brought into focus, increasing the narrative tension in a very potent way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Meeting With The Mentor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At this point, the hero meets a mentor who offers advice and wisdom for the journey ahead and whose presence often helps them overcome their reluctance to embark on their journey. (Do we need to mention Yoda here? “Do or do not”, my writer friends.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This step is important as we come to understand that the quest is something difficult which requires support, as well as personal bravery, and the encounter with the mentor shows that this is a spiritual and personal path, as well as a more concrete journey to get a certain goal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Crossing The First Threshold<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here, the hero leaves their ordinary world and takes the decision to embark on their journey. This is incredibly important, as despite the call to adventure<\/em> having started the story off in some sense, the real adventure begins now for the hero as they leave behind everything they know and walk into a realm of external dangers and personal doubts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We only have to think of the terrifying quest Frodo and Sam go on in Lord of the Rings<\/em> to understand how powerful this moment can be in a story as our rather vulnerable, tiny Hobbit heroes shed safety and familiarity to pursue a noble goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This setting off closes the Departure <\/em>part of the story and we now see the hero enter the Initiation<\/em> stage of their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Test, Allies And Enemies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having committed to their journey, the hero now has to learn the rules of the new world they\u2019ve entered, encountering friends who will act as supportive confidant(e)s and sidekicks during their quest, as well as dastardly foes who often present terrifying obstacles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This first section of the Initiation<\/em> is important in developing the story\u2019s cast of characters, including the hero\u2019s allies and establishing those who will oppose them, such as a vile villain, increasing the stakes by showing that the road ahead will not be easy, despite the hero having assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Approach To The Innermost Cave<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The rising action of the book will see failures and setbacks, with the hero often facing multiple obstacles or finally progressing towards their narrative goal, only to confront an even bigger challenge from enemies, or even due to their own inner fears and flaws. This rises to the point that, in the innermost cave, they\u2019re really in deep and are feeling the pain of their journey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in The Odyssey, <\/em>the crew opens a bag of winds which blow them far away again when they were almost home \u2013 doh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this second dramatic part of the Initiation<\/em>, the hero thus needs to persist and be flexible in their approach in the face of these nightmares, trying new ways to reach their aims, as the stakes are rising and they know that the cost of failing to achieve their journey\u2019s end is far too high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Steps<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. The Ordeal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You think it was tough in the innermost cave? Well, now the hero faces a major obstacle \u2014 often a life or death ordeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worse, this challenge often highlights their character flaws to boot, showing they need to overcome their weaknesses or perish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most heroes barely get out of this ordeal alive, leaving the Initiation phase of their journey in tatters and with readers on the edge of their seat wondering how the heck they\u2019ll ever complete their journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you thought the bags of wind were bad for Odysseus? Now, he has to go to the Underworld! (You cannot be kidding me!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Reward (Seizing The Sword)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But, hey, it\u2019s not all bad as, after surviving death, the hero gets a reward \u2013 maybe even achieving their journey\u2019s goal, such as grabbing the Ring and tossing it away so it cannot darken the world any more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great moment of success and celebration in the story and the hero has clearly emerged from their trials an improved person, although we may not see the full extent of this yet as they still have other preoccupations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, now the hero has their goal, they need to Return<\/em> to their ordinary world in the third section \u2013 and that\u2019s often not as easy as it sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. The Road Back<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After all the challenges of the Initiation phase, meeting new friends and facing off with foes, the hero who left their home isn\u2019t the same person who returns. Hence reintegrating into their old reality can come as another form of challenge in this final part of the story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, they may not even want to go back! The reluctance to embark on their journey which we saw at the beginning of the story may reappear to haunt the hero as they now cannot imagine returning to their ordinary world, showing just how much the struggles they\u2019ve been through have changed their character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. The Resurrection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you thought it was just a case of the hero getting home now, I\u2019m afraid they have to face yet more trouble in terms of a test which puts at stake everything they\u2019ve achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the personality changes and skillsets they\u2019ve developed from their challenging journey become obvious and they realise they\u2019re made for the times they\u2019re facing. Hence they emerge as a resurrected hero \u2014 reborn from the one who embarked at the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This part is obviously important for adding climactic drama to keep readers engaged right \u2018til the end \u2013 they think they\u2019ve killed the alien, or other baddie, but they\u2019re back! \u2013 and showcasing the full depth of the lead\u2019s character development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Return With The Elixir<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The hero returns home with knowledge or a particular \u2018elixir\u2019 or item which symbolises their achievements on their journey and this is often used to help others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This altruistic result is the real reward for their battles and represents deep personal and spiritual transformation, bringing the Return <\/em>section and the story as a whole to a close in a way which hopefully leaves the reader both satisfied and enlightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hero’s Journey In Literature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can see from my examples above, the Hero\u2019s Journey is prominent in both film and literature. From classical storytelling to more modern sci-fi and fantasy, the Hero\u2019s Journey has given powerful narrative arcs to many great works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, if you look carefully enough, even many contemporary crime novels or TV series will feature a reluctant detective who, at first, is scared to take the case \u2013 perhaps due to retirement or trauma \u2013 who then changes their mind and solves the murder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hero\u2019s Journey has thus influenced many writers across the ages and across all literary genres, but it\u2019s still important to note that not all stories follow this paradigm \u2013 so, if it\u2019s not inspiring for you, then don\u2019t use it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using The Hero’s Journey To Tell Your Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have found the structure set out above to be thought-provoking or something which might fit your story, then the Hero\u2019s Journey model can easily be applied to your writing project. Structure is such a key part of creating a compelling story and the Hero\u2019s Journey offers a clear way to build a potent narrative arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to plan ahead though, when using this paradigm, fitting your narrative to the three stages of Departure, Initiation and Return and plotting your scenes along the steps above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your hero\u2019s particular personal flaws, just as Shakespeare often did in his tragedies \u2014 making Othello too jealous, for example \u2013 in order to set out how your hero might trip themselves up, or what would absolutely freak them out (like Indiana Jones and snakes!) in order to really test them on their journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also riff on the reasons they might be reluctant to embark on their quest \u2013 such as family commitments or outright fear, and who might act as a wise mentor and change their minds, or boost them up as allies along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to think of a strong opposition figure who is out to stop them achieving their journey\u2019s goal as this is great for adding conflict and tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hero’s Journey Is In So Many Stories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019ve seen, the Hero\u2019s Journey is present in so many of the stories which surround us \u2014 and for good reason as it provides a fantastic narrative structure which allows for deep character development, high drama and profound emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although every story has a hero, not every story is a Hero\u2019s Journey, yet this storytelling structure has a lot to teach all authors. Try it with your adventure or quest novel, and see how far you and your hero get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the most compelling storytelling structures that writers can use is The Hero\u2019s Journey. In 1949, Joseph Campbell published The Hero with a Thousand Faces, where he discusses the central myth which he argues is at the heart of all stories. 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