How To Write The Hero’s Journey Arc

3. Refusal Of The Call

In many Hero’s Journey stories, the hero initially refuses the call to adventure. This is because they are afraid of the unknown or are comfortable in their current life. This refusal sets up the conflict that the hero must overcome in order to grow and change.

The hero’s refusal of the call is a natural response to the fear of the unknown, and it makes the hero more relatable to the audience. The hero must overcome their fear and take a leap of faith in order to embark on their journey.

• Simba refusing to return to the Pride Lands and claiming his place as king in “The Lion King”
• Luke Skywalker initially refusing Obi-Wan’s call to join the rebellion in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
• Bilbo Baggins initially refusing to go on the journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountain in “The Hobbit”
• Harry Potter initially refusing to accept his identity as a wizard in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
• Moana initially refusing to leave her island and sail across the ocean in “Moana”
• Marlin initially refusing to allow his son Nemo to go to school in “Finding Nemo”
• Lightning McQueen initially refusing to accept help from others in “Cars”
• Peter Parker initially refusing to become Spider-Man and use his powers responsibly in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”

Step 3 is a crucial moment in the Hero’s Journey as it provides an opportunity for the hero to demonstrate their initial reluctance to leave their comfort zone. This refusal creates a relatable character, and it also sets up the conflict and challenges that the hero must overcome. It’s important to show why the hero is hesitant to embark on their journey, and what they stand to lose or gain by doing so. This moment can also provide an opportunity to introduce the hero’s flaws and vulnerabilities, which will make their eventual transformation more satisfying and meaningful.

4. Meeting The Mentor

Once the hero has accepted the call to adventure, they often meet a mentor who can help them on their journey. This mentor can provide guidance, advice, and support as the hero faces challenges and overcomes obstacles.

The mentor is often an older, wiser character who has already been on a similar journey. The mentor can be a supernatural being, such as a wizard or a goddess, or they can be a wise old man or woman. The mentor provides the hero with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed on their journey.

Here are 7 examples of the meeting the mentor moment in movies:

• Obi-Wan Kenobi teaching Luke Skywalker about the ways of the Force in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
• Rafiki showing Simba the ways of the past kings in “The Lion King”
• Gandalf teaching Frodo about the One Ring and the dangers they face in “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
• Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel about the ways of karate in “The Karate Kid”
• Yoda training Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”
• Morpheus teaching Neo about the Matrix in “The Matrix”
• Haymitch mentoring Katniss and Peeta in “The Hunger Games”

5. Crossing The Threshold

The hero’s journey truly begins when they cross the threshold into the unknown. This is the moment when the hero leaves behind their ordinary world and enters into a new and unfamiliar world. It’s important to establish the stakes of this new world and the challenges that the hero will face.

The hero is now in a world that is vastly different from their ordinary world, and they must adapt quickly in order to survive. The hero is often alone at this point, and they must rely on their own wits and resources to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.

Examples of the Crossing the Threshold:

• Alice falling down the rabbit hole in “Alice in Wonderland”
• Harry Potter arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
• Dorothy stepping out of her house and into the Land of Oz in “The Wizard of Oz”
• Andy’s toys leaving Andy’s room and entering the world beyond in “Toy Story”
• Marlin leaving the safety of the reef to search for his son Nemo in “Finding Nemo”
• Neo taking the red pill and entering the Matrix in “The Matrix”
• Luke Skywalker leaving Tatooine and embarking on a journey to save Princess Leia in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”

6. Tests, Allies, And Enemies

As the hero journeys through the unknown world, they will face a series of tests, allies, and enemies. These challenges will test the hero’s strength, skills, and resolve. Allies can provide support and assistance, while enemies will try to stop the hero from achieving their goal.

The hero must use all of their skills and resources to overcome these challenges, and they must learn from their failures in order to succeed. The tests, allies, and enemies should be varied and interesting, and they should help the hero to grow and change.

• Harry, Ron, and Hermione facing various obstacles and defeating Voldemort’s followers in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
• Simba teaming up with Timon and Pumbaa to survive in the wilderness in “The Lion King”
• Frodo and Sam facing various challenges with the help of loyal allies like Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli in “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear working together to escape Sid’s house in “Toy Story”
• Katniss forming alliances with other tributes in the Hunger Games arena in “The Hunger Games”
• Neo teaming up with Morpheus and Trinity to fight the agents in “The Matrix”
• Luke Skywalker teaming up with Han Solo and Chewbacca to rescue Princess Leia in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
• Moana teaming up with Maui to restore the heart of Te Fiti in “Moana”
• Marlin and Dory facing various obstacles and making new friends like Crush and Bruce in “Finding Nemo”

7. The Approach To The Inmost Cave

As the hero moves closer to their ultimate goal, they will approach the inmost cave. This is the place where their greatest challenge awaits them. It’s important to build suspense and tension as the hero prepares to face their greatest fear.

The inmost cave is often a physical location, such as a cave or a castle, but it can also be a psychological or emotional challenge. The hero must be prepared to face their fear and overcome it in order to succeed.

• Harry Potter and his friends approaching the Chamber of Secrets in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”
• Simba approaching the elephant graveyard in “The Lion King”
• Frodo and Sam approaching Mount Doom in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear approaching Pizza Planet in “Toy Story”
• Katniss and Peeta approaching the final showdown in “The Hunger Games”
• Neo and Trinity approaching the Machine City in “The Matrix Revolutions”
• Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader approaching the Death Star in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
• Moana approaching Te Fiti in “Moana”
• Marlin and Dory approaching the Sydney Harbour in “Finding Nemo”

8. The Ordeal

The ordeal is the moment when the hero faces their greatest challenge. This is the moment when the hero must use all of their skills, strength, and courage to overcome the obstacle in their path.

This is often the most dramatic and intense moment in the story. The hero must face their fear and overcome it in order to succeed. The ordeal is often a physical or emotional battle, and the hero must be willing to risk everything in order to achieve their goal.

• Harry Potter facing Voldemort in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”
• Simba facing Scar in “The Lion King”
• Frodo and Gollum fighting over the One Ring in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear escaping from Sid’s house in “Toy Story”
• Katniss and Peeta surviving the final battle in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
• Neo facing Agent Smith in “The Matrix Revolutions”
• Luke Skywalker facing Darth Vader in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back”
• Moana facing off against Te Ka in “Moana”
• Marlin facing off against the dentist’s tools to save Nemo in “Finding Nemo”

9. The Reward

After the hero has faced their ordeal, they receive a reward. This reward can take many forms, such as knowledge, a treasure, or even self-discovery. This moment provides a sense of closure and satisfaction for the audience.

The reward is the culmination of the hero’s journey, and it represents all of the hard work and sacrifice that the hero has put in. The reward should be meaningful and satisfying, and it should provide a sense of resolution for the audience.

• Harry Potter receiving the Elder Wand in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”
• Simba claiming his place as king in “The Lion King”
• Frodo destroying the One Ring in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear being played with by Andy in “Toy Story”
• Katniss bringing down the Capitol in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
• Neo realizing his true power as the One in “The Matrix Revolutions”
• Luke Skywalker being honored by the Rebel Alliance in “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
• Moana discovering her true identity as a wayfinder in “Moana”
• Marlin being reunited with Nemo in “Finding Nemo”

10. The Road Back

The hero’s journey is not over yet. After receiving their reward, the hero must make the journey back to their ordinary world. This journey can be just as challenging as the hero faces new tests and obstacles.

The hero must be changed by their journey, and they must apply what they have learned in order to succeed. The road back should be just as exciting and suspenseful as the rest of the story.

• Harry Potter returning to Hogwarts after defeating Voldemort in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”
• Simba returning to the Pride Lands to reclaim his place as king in “The Lion King”
• Frodo returning to the Shire after destroying the One Ring in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear returning to Andy’s room after their adventure in “Toy Story”
• Katniss returning to District 12 after the rebellion in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
• Neo returning to the Matrix to save Trinity in “The Matrix Revolutions”
• Luke Skywalker returning to Dagobah to complete his Jedi training in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
• Moana returning to her island and restoring the heart of Te Fiti in “Moana”
• Marlin returning to the reef with Nemo in “Finding Nemo”

11. The Resurrection

The hero must face one final challenge before they can return to their ordinary world. This challenge is often a final battle or confrontation with the story’s antagonist. The hero must use everything they have learned on their journey to overcome this final obstacle.

The resurrection is the moment when the hero faces their greatest challenge yet, and they must use all of their skills and resources to succeed. The resurrection is often a physical or emotional battle, and the hero must be willing to risk everything in order to achieve their goal.

• Harry Potter facing Voldemort in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2”
• Simba facing Scar in “The Lion King”
• Frodo and Sam being saved by the eagles in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
• Woody and Buzz Lightyear returning to Andy’s room in “Toy Story”
• Katniss killing President Coin in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”
• Neo sacrificing himself to save humanity in “The Matrix Revolutions”
• Luke Skywalker confronting Darth Vader and the Emperor in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi”
• Moana returning the heart of Te Fiti and saving her island in “Moana”
• Marlin and Dory successfully transporting Nemo to his new home in “Finding Nemo”

12. The Return With The Elixir

The hero returns to their ordinary world, but they are not the same person they were when they left. They have grown and changed, and they have a new perspective on life. The hero brings back the elixir, which can take many forms, such as a physical object, a lesson learned, or a new way of looking at the world.

The hero has achieved their goal, but they have also gained something more valuable: wisdom and experience. The return with the elixir is the final step in the Hero’s Journey, and it represents the hero’s transformation from an ordinary person into a hero.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create a compelling Hero’s Journey arc that will keep your audience engaged and invested in the story. The Hero’s Journey is a timeless storytelling structure that has been used for centuries, and it continues to be popular today because it resonates with audiences on a deep and emotional level. Whether you are writing a novel, a movie, or a video game, the Hero’s Journey can help you to create a story that is both entertaining and meaningful. So go forth and embark on your own Hero’s Journey, and see where it takes you!