A Guide To Writing

If you are looking for a way to structure your novel so that it feels emotionally satisfying and true to you and your readers, you should really consider following the Hero’s Journey archetype. If you watch any blockbuster movie or runaway bestselling novel, you will see that they all follow this essential outline. The Hero’s Journey structure feels so honest and compelling because it reflects the essential challenges we all face as we strive to be authentic and true to ourselves on our own journey through life.

What follows are the ten essential steps of the Hero’s Journey. If you use them as a starting place to outline your own novel, you will discover that they help you create an storyline that deeply reflects the compelling, core themes of facing the greatest challenges in life and finding new strength and wisdom as a result.

The Ten Steps of the Hero’s Journey

1. Show Us The Ordinary World of Your Novels Main Character. We meet your main character, the hero of your novel, and we see what kind of life he leads as your story begins. We see some indications of how his life is out of balance.

2. The Initial Challenge. Your character experiences something significant that forces him to consider making a big change in his life.

3. Initial Rejection of the Call To Action. Your character does not want to make this change to begin with. It will entail a lot of effort as well as some kind of risk and he does not want to do it.

4. You Character Decides To Change. Often triggered by an outside event, he makes a commitment to changing his life.

5. Your Character Finds Helpers and Friends. As your novel moves forward, your main character will encounter various helpful people who will help him in his efforts to reach his goal.

6. Your Character Learns the Skills and Perspective Needed To Succeed at His Goal. Your character proceeds to gather information and improve his skills so he will be prepared to face the challenges that he will soon encounter. We see that the stakes are getting higher as we go along.

7. Your Character First Confronts His Deepest Fear and Fails. He faces his greatest challenge but has not yet acquired the inner strength that is needed to succeed at his goal.

8. The Dark Night of the Soul. Your character experiences self-doubt and fears that he will never succeed. He is on the verge of giving up.

9. The Leap of Faith. Something happens that helps your character to renew his faith in himself and the value of continuing his efforts to succeed at his goal. He decides to not give up.

10. The Ultimate Confrontation and Final Success. At this climactic moment, your character faces his biggest challenge. He calls up all the renewed strength and determination within him and uses it to overcome all obstacles. After the greatest effort of his life, he is rewarded with the success he has wanted for so long.

The Hero’s Journey structure provides you will an inspiring road map to help you write a novel that will feel deeply meaningful and compelling to you and your readers. The process of writing becomes easier and more enjoyable because you can clearly see what comes next in your story and know how it all fits together perfectly. Instead of wondering what to write each day, you will just take out your outline and see what step on the path of the Hero’s Journey your my main character will walk that day.