After I had written a couple of books, I was introduced to the concept of the ‘Hero’s Journey.’
The Hero’s Journey is the plot structure of any story whereby the ‘hero’ has to undertake a ‘journey.’ This journey will contain many challenges, the process will transform the hero and ultimately the hero will complete this journey victorious.
In details it will contain a supernatural element, lots of action, challenges, an unknown world, decisions, transformation and victory. It is a plot structure used (usually unintentionally by the writer) for many films, as well as books e.g. Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games.
It is a useful plot structure when drafting a story/film because the story will organically move from one part of the journey to the next and there is enough action in the story to keep the reader engaged. The structure is already set and the writer just needs to follow the steps.
I felt this plot structure was irrelevant to Romance novels. I had already written three books and had never heard of this plot structure before. I reviewed my books and felt they did not fit.
However, lately I have begun to change my mind. I realised that recently, I had completed my own hero’s journey (If I cast myself as the hero), therefore isn’t finding love also a type of hero’s journey?
For the past six months I had worked on the finishing touches to perfect and publish my first novel. In December 2018 I published it. I had completed a journey (from writing to publishing) and I now feel an assimilation to the Hero’s Journey. The end was irrelevant compared to the journey I had been on. I could fit my journey in to the hero’s journey:
At the beginning, I was in my usual environment, when I felt a calling to do something different in my life (a call to adventure). It could be called supernatural aid, the internal forces that drive us internally are just as powerful and as mysterious. There was no external force that made me feel this desire to change my life and start a new journey, but there were feelings and emotions. I wasn’t fulfilled and I couldn’t continue to live like this anymore. I had to take action.
“It is not for society to judge a man’s journey, but, rather, it is for the man himself to lead a fulfilling life and become the man or woman he/she was supposed to be.”
Harry J. Stead: How to Follow The Hero’s Journey
I tried various activities before I found writing. I knew writing was my calling. But there were aspects of being a writer that I found challenging and had to overcome: editing, social media and marketing. I found mentors to help me and push me forward, till I found myself at the cusp. I had a choice: action or inaction. Face my fears head on or hide my head in the sand. I finally took action and became transformed. I found a new determination and focus. I believed I could achieve my goals. I was reborn.
“The joys and the struggles that the hero must go through are unique to the individual. No two hearts are the same and so no two journeys are the same.”
Harry J. Stead: How to Follow The Hero’s Journey
I still continued to encounter personal challenges, but once I published my book, I had completed my journey.
That is only a snap shot of my life, one journey, but, perhaps our whole lives are one big hero’s journey, interceded with smaller ones.
Is the Hero’s Journey in all of us?
Is this our life’s own plot structure, therefore it naturally unfolds in writing and movies too?
The journey, as with life is far more important than the final destination, which cannot be guaranteed. It is our choices that lead us on our journey, but if we take the risk and face the challenges, the journey maybe far more rewarding, than having never set foot on that journey in the first place.
Ultimately it is our choice:
“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”
Possibly a Joesph Campbell quote found in: How to Follow The Hero’s Journey by Harry J, Stead