Stay tuned for a coming event—I’m cooking something up with Hart’s Fine Books in Sequim for National Children’ Book Week, May 4 – 8!
A friend sent me a YouTube talk on the Hero’s Journey. (Find the link at the end of this article). She thought I might map out the hero’s journey for you using Piper’s journey as the example.
Christopher Vogler brought Joseph Campbell’s mythic work to the table to be used in writing and storytelling craft with his book The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. (Taken from Campbell’s work A Hero with a Thousand Faces.) It’s a structure with 12 steps. Here it is in condensed form (click here to go read more about this fascinating subject):
“The hero is introduced in his ORDINARY WORLD where he receives the CALL TO ADVENTURE. He is RELUCTANT at first to CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD where he eventually encounters TESTS, ALLIES and ENEMIES. He reaches the INNERMOST CAVE where he endures the SUPREME ORDEAL. He SEIZES THE SWORD or the treasure and is pursued on the ROAD BACK to his world. He is RESURRECTED and transformed by his experience. He RETURNS to his ordinary world with a treasure, boon, or ELIXIR to benefit his world.”
I’m going to come completely clean with you. Here’s the scoop about Piper Pan and the Hero’s Journey. I think this work is brilliant. I know it’s helped make prizewinning books and movies. I grew up with a fellow named Chris Soth who is using these steps to teach a brilliant “mini-movie” plotting class. He’s used what he teaches to sell screenplays for beaucoup bucks. But honestly? When I try to think in that way, my brain goes fuzzy. It isn’t the same part of my brain that cooks up stories. Which is maybe why it’s Chris who’s sold the screenplays and not me!
I create stories the same way I speak languages. I say a thing because I’ve heard it before and it “sounds right.” I write and edit my stories in a certain way because it makes them “feel” or “sound” right. I use an intuitive part of my brain that doesn’t mix well with this analytical approach. Maybe it’s like actors who can’t really tell you how they act. Just because they can’t break it down for you doesn’t mean what they’re doing isn’t right on track.
I can say that Piper’s journey is a heroic journey. And I will also say how important I think it is for us to tell stories of girl heroes, their journeys, and their quests. Girls need lives of consequence, involving both their inner and outer worlds. As we recognize our value and live it, we let those around us know that they, too, are of value. Very simple, but profoundly impactful and true.
My message as a coach is to embrace the hero’s journey of YOUR life. It will not only give you a life worth living, it will change the lives of those around you.
This week’s audio is Chapter 15, “Condemned.” Captain Li’l Jack reveals secrets about Belle. Piper is facing her doom alone. Allow about 10 minutes of listening time for this one.
Click here to view “What is the Hero’s Journey? with Pat Soloman at TEDxRockCreekPark”