What Is The Hero’s Journey And Why Is It An Invaluable Writing Tool?
The Hero’s Journey is a popular framework for writing stories. It is a creative writing technique that’s been whispered about for years.
At times it can seem like a secret formula or a complex pattern, but it’s a great tool that could help you get your story out of your head and onto the page.
Sounds good? Keep reading for an easy guide to understanding the Hero’s Journey.
Where Did The Hero’s Journey Come From?
The Hero’s Journey consists of three main parts: departure, separation, and return. It’s something we can utilize when building our stories and have fun experimenting with. It’s what many of us have come to consider the traditional ‘hero’s adventure’.
The pattern was noticed by Joseph Campbell, who pinpointed stages that a hero often goes through on their journey. He wrote about this in his book, The Hero With A Thousand Faces.
We can break it down further, into a number of different steps, too.
What Are The Steps Within The Hero’s Journey?
Over the years, The Hero’s Journey has been adapted and transformed. It can be simplified, or extra details can be added. But above all, it’s a framework. By looking at the steps in the journey, you can start to see how a novel might be outlined, or how a character’s motivation may be formed. Campbell suggests every main character or ‘hero’ works through these stages to create a story.
Here’s a very basic summary of each stage of the Hero’s Journey:
The Ordinary World – This is where we learn the hero is lacking something.
The Call To Adventure – The hero is given a challenge or adventure.
The Refusal Of The Call – The hero is reluctant to take on the adventure/quest.
Meeting With The Mentor – The hero meets the person who will advise and guide them.
Crossing The Threshold – The hero has committed to the journey and is preparing to leave their ordinary world.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies – Involves encountering others and working out who can be trusted.
Approach To The Innermost Cave – This is where the protagonist approaches the place where the desired object is hidden.
The Supreme Ordeal – The moment where the hero faces huge danger.
Reward Or Seizing The Sword – The hero typically takes possession of what they were after.
The Road Back – The consequences of the hero’s actions must be faced.
Resurrection – This is typically the final test for the hero.
Return With The Elixir – The hero returns triumphant.
How Can The Hero’s Journey Help You Write Your Story?
If it’s the first time you’ve heard of the Hero’s Journey, or even if it’s starting to ring a few bells, it can help you write your story. Here’s why…
The Hero’s Journey Provides A Framework
Something many of us value about creative writing is the freedom to explore endless possibilities. However, this can also feel daunting. With the framework of the Hero’s Journey, we have a foundation. It can be a guide to help get us started. This might be particularly helpful when we’re just starting out on our writing journey, or perhaps experimenting with a new style or genre.
It can act as a kind of comfort blanket and provide us with a sense of direction, in a world of endless creative writing ideas and possibilities. Having something to build from can often give us an extra boost of confidence. If you’re not sure where to begin, the Hero’s Journey could be the perfect place to start. Just follow it step-by-step.
The Hero’s Journey Provides Creative Freedom
The Hero’s Journey is by no means static. It can be tweaked, played with, or developed, in any way you want. You have the creative freedom to take your story in any direction and take or leave different stages, (of course, Joseph Campbell may have a thing or two to say about that) but you don’t have to follow the rules.
The Hero’s Journey can provide us with a template or outline that we can enjoy filling in. However, there are no rules that dictate the exact journey a protagonist must take. The journey isn’t meant to limit us. Instead, it’s a flexible tool we can adapt to our own needs.
The Hero’s Journey Provides Longevity
The Hero’s Journey has been around for so long for a reason. It works. It’s proven successful time and time again. It can be found in everything from The Wizard of Oz to Shrek. There’s no reason for us not to employ something that has proven longevity.
As writers, it’s easy for us to get lost in the notion of trying to stand out, of doing something different. With a framework as popular and successful as the Hero’s Journey, though, we have something people will instantly recognise. It’s a pattern readers have been enjoying for a long time.
The Hero’s Journey Provides Character Development
By plotting a basic outline for our hero and mapping out their journey, we can start to feel closer to our character. Through exploring the different elements of the journey, details about our protagonist might make themselves clearer. Maybe it will unlock something we didn’t initially know about them.
By playing around with the various sections, answers about things like our protagonist’s true desire could reveal themselves. Getting to know our characters is crucial so we can portray them convincingly. That’s why the more we can discover, the better.
If you’ve ever wondered how to create fictional characters that come alive, this workbook is for YOU.
Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Use The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey isn’t just for superheroes. It’s not just for fantasy stories. And it certainly isn’t reserved for male protagonists. Don’t be afraid to use the Hero’s Journey. It’s become a staple of our stories for a reason. It’s timeless. Think of it as your creative writing crutch. It’s there for you when need it. It’s there to help, not hinder.
What stories spring to mind when you think of the Hero’s Journey? Is it something you use in your stories? Or have you got your own structure instead? Whatever the case, we’d love to hear from you! We talk more about the Hero’s Journey in our Novel Course. We’d love to see you there.
