Novel Writing: the "Hero's Journey"
How to Apply This Universal Story-Telling Device in Writing
In his 1998 book, Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Michael Wiese Productions, Christopher Vogler suggests that “all stories consist of a few common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams and movies,” collectively known as The Hero’s Journey. Described in 1070 by Joseph Cambpell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces by World Publishing, a journey of the soul, the Hero’s Journey is essentially the three-act structure of the ancient Greek play handed down thousands of years ago and consists of Beginning, Middle, and End.
Vogler asserts that the hero’s journey is a realistic model of life, “a complete instruction manual in the art of being human.” This is why the Hero’s Journey Model for writing is so relevant; because it appeals to all readers. The hero, usually on a quest, encounters various obstacles and aids in the form of archetypes during her journey before she can finally return home with her prize.
The Hero’s Journey Map
Vogler describes twelve stages based on Campbell’s eight-step transformation model of the hero on her journey. These are briefly given below within the 3-act structure.
Act One: Separation
Ordinary World: the world before the hero sets out.
Call to Adventure: the herald presents the hero with a problem, challenge or adventure that changes her ordinary world.
Refusal of the Call: the reluctant hero balks at the threshold of adventure.
Meeting with the Mentor: the mentor provides the hero with a gift to help her through the threshold.
Crossing the threshold: the hero commits to the adventure and enters the Special World.
Act Two: Initiation & Transformation
Tests, Allies and Enemies: the hero must face tests, make allies and enemies as she learns the rules of the Special World.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: the hero reaches the edge of the most dangerous place, often where the object of her quest resides.
Ordeal (the Abyss): the hero hits bottom, where she faces “death” on the brink of a battle with the most powerful hostile force.
Reward/Seizing the Sword: having survived “death” (of fear or ignorance) the hero receives a reward or elixir in the form of an epiphany and transforms.
Act Three: The Return
The Road Block: the hero must deal with the consequences of confronting the dark forces.
Resurrection/Atonement: the hero is further transformed in this climactic moment and seeks atonement. Her reborn self is now in harmony with the “new” world, the imbalance which sent her on her journey resolved.
Return with the Elixir: the hero returns to the Ordinary World with some elixir, treasure or lesson from the Special World.
Adventure's Journey
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