How To Write a Powerful Novel Using the Hero’s Journey- writedeal.com

Aug 21st 09 Posted by Elizabeth J. Maison in Writing

How To Write a Powerful Novel Using the Hero’s Journey

by Elizabeth J. Maison

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.

There are ten basic steps to the Hero’s Journey. If you use them as a starting place to develop your plot, you will find that the result is a story rich with meaning and vitality. With your well-crafted plot outline in hand, you will feel inspired and enthusiastic about writing your novel.

The Hero’s Journey In Ten Simple Steps

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. You Character Faces a Challenge. Something happens that forces the hero to make a decision that will change his life.

3. Your Main Character Rejects This Call To Action. Initially, your character does not want to make the effort to change and so refuses to take action. They may try to go back to where they were before this Call To Action.

4. The Decision To Change. Something happens that makes your character reconsider this decision. He realizes he cannot continue as he is and so decides to go forward and make this change in his life.

5. Your Character Gains Mentors and Allies. As your story progresses, your character meets people along the way who offer help and support.

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 Fails In His First Confrontation With the Antagonist. Your characters first attempt to overcome his fears and achieve his goal fail because he is not yet strong enough to succeed.

8. The Dark Night of the Soul. Your character questions his ability to succeed and considers giving up.

9. The Leap of Faith. Your character experiences a renewed inner commitment to his goal based on an inner faith that he can be, do, or have whatever he really wants.

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.

About the Author:

Elizabeth J. Maison writes for WritersSolutions.com, a helpful writing website. At that site, you can read a nice review of NewNovelist 2.0, a special novel writing software program that will help you incorporate the Hero’s Journey into your novel.