D.M. LEWRY'S WRITE ALONG
The Hero’s Journey:
A Storytelling Blueprint You Can Use
Ask yourself "What's my hero's journey?"
What Is the Hero’s Journey? A Guide for Writers
If you’ve ever read a book or watched a movie and thought, “Wow, that felt so satisfying”, there’s a good chance the story was built around the Hero’s Journey. This is one of the oldest and most reliable storytelling frameworks out there. It shows up in everything from The Lord of the Rings to Star Wars to The Lion King. And it isn’t just for fantasy or action stories. Romance, contemporary fiction, even memoirs can use it to shape an emotional and powerful story.
So, what exactly is the Hero’s Journey?
So, what exactly is the Hero’s Journey? At its core, it’s about transformation. A character begins in an ordinary, familiar world. Something happens that pulls them into a new and challenging path. Along the way they face trials, meet allies, confront enemies, and ultimately face their biggest test. By the time they return to where they began, they’re not the same person anymore. They’ve grown, changed, or discovered something new about themselves.
This structure works because it mirrors the real human experience. Life is full of “journeys” where we’re pushed out of our comfort zone, forced to grow, and return stronger than we were before. Readers might not consciously notice the framework, but they feel it, and that’s why stories built on it resonate so deeply.
One step at a time...
The Steps of the Hero’s Journey
- Ordinary World – Where your character begins. We see their everyday life, flaws, and desires.
- Call to Adventure – Something happens that shakes up their normal world.
- Refusal of the Call – They hesitate. Change is scary, and they’re not ready.
- Meeting the Mentor – A guide, teacher, or helper appears to give them courage.
- Crossing the Threshold – The character commits and steps into the unknown.
- Tests, Allies, and Enemies – The fun middle part where challenges pile up and relationships form.
- Approach to the Inmost Cave – They prepare for the biggest trial ahead.
- The Ordeal – The heart of the story. A fight, loss, or crisis that forces them to grow.
- Reward (Seizing the Sword) – They succeed, survive, or discover something vital.
- The Road Back – They begin the return to their world, forever changed.
- Resurrection – One last test that proves their transformation is real.
- Return with the Elixir – They bring wisdom, strength, or change back to their ordinary world.
You don’t need to check off every step like a list. Think of it more as a flexible guide that you can shape to fit your story.
Why Writers Use It
The Hero’s Journey does three things really well:
- It gives your story structure. You’ll always know what comes next, so you won’t get lost in the middle.
- It creates emotional payoff. Readers love watching a character change and grow.
- It makes your story universal. This framework is recognized across cultures and time, so it connects with people almost instinctively.
If you’ve ever struggled with a story feeling flat or wandering without direction, plugging your character into the Hero’s Journey can give it a strong backbone.
How to Apply It to Your Own Writing
Here’s a simple exercise. Take the main character of yo and ask yourself these questions:
What does their ordinary world look like?
What disrupts that world?
Who steps in to guide or challenge them?
What’s the greatest test they must face?
How are they changed by the end?
What do they bring back with them—knowledge, love, strength, peace?
Write the answers down, then place them into the steps above. Congratulations—you’ve just mapped your story to the Hero’s Journey.
You don’t have to follow the framework perfectly. Plenty of great stories twist or subvert it. But having the Hero’s Journey as a reference keeps your story anchored while still giving you room to be creative.
Final Thoughts
IT'S A GUIDE, NOT A LAW
The Hero’s Journey is not a rulebook, but it is a powerful template. It’s flexible enough to adapt to any genre, and timeless enough that readers never get tired of it. Whether you’re writing an epic fantasy, a contemporary romance, or even experimenting with short stories, using this structure will help your characters feel purposeful and your story feel whole.
IT'S ABOUT THE READER JOURNEY
At the end of the day, every reader wants to go on a journey. They want to walk beside your characters, feel their struggles, and celebrate their victories. The Hero’s Journey is one of the best ways to make sure that ride is unforgettable.
