The Hero’s Journey Plot:
A Guide for Writers
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
The hero’s journey plot is a classic answer to the question of how to make stories captivating to audiences. Have you ever wondered why some stories seem to just hit their beats and get reactions from readers and viewers? Or why some books are bestsellers while others languish on shelves? There's a reason for that, and some writers and story scholars would argue that this disparity comes down to a creator’s use of the hero’s journey. Many stories follow the familiar structure that is better known as the hero's journey plot. In this article, we'll take a look at what the hero's journey plot is and how you can use it to write a more structured story.
What Is the Hero's Journey Plot?
The hero's journey plot is a storytelling structure that was first identified by Joseph Campbell in his 1949 book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell observed that many myths and folktales from around the world shared similar themes, plot points, character turning points, and motifs, even though they were created independently of one another. He concluded that there was an underlying pattern to these stories, which he called the “monomyth”.
The hero's journey plot is sometimes also referred to by this name, or as the hero's journey cycle. It typically consists of three main stages: separation, initiation, and return. In his scholarship, Campbell pulled from a lot of classic tales, including myths and epics, so that’s why the hero’s journey has a bit of grandiosity about it.
In the separation stage, the hero leaves their ordinary world behind and embarks on a quest. The quest is very important, as it drives the entire hero’s journey. The hero often separates from their society and their “normal” or childhood state after a call to adventure, which the hero may initially resist, but eventually accepts.
During the initiation stage, which translates to the second act in three-act structure, the hero undergoes a series of tests and trials as they try to complete their quest. This is often where the majority of the story's action takes place. Along the way, the hero will usually receive help from a mentor figure who believes in them and helps them overcome obstacles, but it’s important to know that the hero must be proactive and drive the story and weather their challenges on their own steam.
Finally, in the return stage of the hero’s journey, the hero completes their quest and returns to their ordinary world. But, of course, either their world no longer feels the same or the hero is no longer the same, or a combination of both. This re-entry period is often marked by a moment of self-reflection in which the hero learns something about themselves or gains some sort of wisdom from their experience. They may also receive some kind of reward for their heroism, whether a tangible object or esteem and higher status in their society.
How to Use the Hero's Journey Plot in Your Storytelling
Now that we've looked at what the hero's journey plot is and how it tends to work, let's look at how you can use it in your own storytelling. While it's not necessary to strictly adhere to this structure, understanding it can help you create a more compelling story.
There are about a million different plot techniques and structures out there, and the hero’s journey is the prototype for a lot of contemporary story scholarship and thought leadership. That being said, try it, or at least play around with it. SOme writers worry that the hero’s journey plot is too rigid or formulaic. I’d argue the opposite. Once you master the rules, you can start freewriting or selectively breaking them.
One way to use the hero's journey plot is to think about your story in terms of its three main stages: separation, initiation, and return. What needs to happen in each stage in order for your story to be successful? What challenges will your hero face during their quest? How will they grow and change as a result of their experiences?
Another way to use the hero's journey plot is to look at your favorite stories and see how they fit into this structure. Seeing story structure in published or produced works helps you to read like a writer and study the world around you with a more critical eye. You may be surprised at how many popular stories follow this pattern, even if they deviate from it in some ways.
Understanding how the hero’s journey plot works can help you create a more successful story of your own. The least you can do is try a novel outline that follows the hero’s journey plot. You have nothing to lose by doing this as a writing exercise.
This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to purchase Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters, my book on interiority and character creation. Explore your protagonist’s thoughts, feelings, reactions and interpretations, expectations, and inner struggles to create a rich, immersive experience. This guide will empower you to create characters who live and breathe on the page, fostering an unbreakable bond with your audience.