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Recent feature articles
Motohuma the Firehead
15 August 2011
Your poetry can help heroes (UK competition)
31 January 2011
Churchmouse Tales
22 January 2011
The Hero's Journey
02 January 2011
MyNovel novel writing software
01 January 2011
New Writers' Circle site
01 January 2011

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Special feature

The Hero's journey

Hero's journey
The Hero's journey by Carl. Artwork courtesy of Sue.
The Hero's Journey is the basis for almost every book we read and almost every film we watch. As the formula for a successful story, it originated in ancient times, but it still pervades modern literature. The Hero's Journey is, in fact, the story of our own lives - our passage from innocence, through the trials of life, hence through personal transformation, to adulthood and beyond. It is the hero on the way to slay Medusa or to retrieve the Golden Fleece. It is the structure of every story from The Lord of The Rings to The Matrix to The Lion King.
 
Principal characters

Principal characters and roles

The hero (Protagonist)

The hero is major character for the story. The story may be character-driven in that the events surrounding the main character are personal ones: the heroic battle may be a personal one. Alternatively the story may be plot-driven in that actual, physical events take place. In plot-driven stories, the places that the main character visits are as important if not more so than the main character.

The enemy (Antagonist)

The main antagonist / enemy. In plot-driven stories it is usually some kind of villain. In a character-driven story it may be a character for the hero to overcome; or even an issue. It is conceivable that, for instance, when the hero is trying to overcome a personal problem that the antagonist is the problem itself, rather than a person. E.g. the enemy might actually be gambling or alcohol.

The guardians (Helpers)

The hero's guardians / helpers are there to give advice and perhaps even physical assistance to the hero as and when necessary. As the story progresses these characters often fade into the background.

The minions (Antagonist Helpers)

The enemy's minion - or minions. Characters that assist the main enemy in some way. This is the character that will engage the hero in minor challenges, softening the hero up before the main antagonist almost destroys the hero.
Principal events

Principal events in a typical Hero's Journey

The call

This is where the hero is seperated from his or her ordinary life. This separation may be due to an outside influence - for instance he or she may be witness to something; or it may be due to inner circumstances - for instance an inner unhappiness that has built up over time.

The threshold

Once called, the hero now decides to cross the threshold of adventure. He or she may cross it alone, or he or she may take guardians or helpers along with him or her. Often those the hero interacts with will try to stop the hero from crossing the threshold to adventure; sometimes they may assist. Occassionally guardians or helpers will follow at a distance, in the background, rather than directly side-by-side

The challenges / minor trials

The Hero begins the journey. He or she is no longer in familiar territory. Of course it can be emotional territory or a real territory - perhaps a landscape that the hero has never seen before. Now the minor challenges begin - for instance the challenges of differentiating between those that have come along to help from enemies. Also the hero is often tried by minor enemies - for example the minions of some grander enemy.

The abyss / the major trial

Having travelled some way into the strange, new territory, the hero now faces his or her lowest point. He or she is challenged in a very great way, perhaps by the main antagonist or enemy. Perhaps it is even a situation of life or death. It is usually a situation for which the hero is totally unprepared, even if they did not hesitate to go. His or her personal weaknesses are laid bare and the possibility of failure is very real.

The transformation

The hero has been through the abyss and has at least in part conquered his or her fears of the situation. Now comes the transformation! The hero will gain renewed strength. The hero is invigourated on his or her quest or adventure, intent on doing battle with who or whatever the enemy is.

The battle / the atonement

With renewed determination, the hero now seeks the enemy and does battle. This may be a personal battle - to battle addiction; or it may be an emotional battle - to battle the person that was once cruel; or even a physical battle - to slay that dragon!

The return / the frustration

The battle is over. The enemy is defeated, perhaps for ever perhaps indefinitely or temporarily. Either way the hero can now return home if he or she wishes. The hero may want to return home. For instance he or she may have become richer or have gained new insight or awareness; or they may have changed sufficiently much to no longer belong where they began. Even if he or she does return, with every positive intention, they may become frustated by those around them who did not change and who no longer have the same life experiences.
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Recent messages

Message
Re: Walking Shoes by Eddie Larkin
a gripping read, excellent storytelling. (jimbob)
Re: Larry And The Books by Eddie Larkin
A great story with a humorous ending. (jimbob)
Re: Legacy Of The Celtic Tiger by Eddie Larkin
says it all, Eddie (jimbob)
Re: Walking Shoes by Eddie Larkin
Y ou pack a mighty punch into your prose, Eddie, excellent stuff which is haunting with that stroke of ... (notebook)
Re: A Day Gone By by RedeemedAshes
Thanks! :) (RedeemedAshes)
Re: A Day Gone By by RedeemedAshes
I like this, it's amazing :) (angeliki largatzis)
Re: Master class one. by brian dunn
Dam underlining doe's not work on here, so 'I've changed it to italic instead,  sorry ... (brian dunn)
Re: Problems Posting by Rai Pager
very strange try sending a message to the editor of the website i had to once when i couldn't post ... (brian dunn)
Re: The courageous dream. by Adrian
Jo, thanks for your supportive feedback, I am delighted that you ejoyed it, I've written this for ... (Adrian)
Re: The courageous dream. by Adrian
So clever, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece Adrian and loved the subtle humour you infused throughout ... (Truthwielder)
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Featured writer
codchops

Total posts:
4
Roles: Writer
Essex, UNITED KINGDOM
I've been writing short stories for only a month now. I would be grateful for any comments on how my work is. I've had a few people say they are good and amusing. Some have given advice.
Recent submissions 
C
My Name is James not Jimmy
Genre / category: Fiction
C
James is 10 Today
Genre / category: Fiction
C
James Goes to the Seaside
Genre / category: Fiction
C
James and the See-Saw
Genre / category: Fiction

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