I write fiction. Stories, myths, fables and lore have shaped the human experience more than we think or even appreciate. Reading and storytelling, however, are not only desired but are needed activities for us to be who we are and discover our truth. Storytelling truly makes us human.
There’s genre fiction and then there’s literary fiction. Examples of genre fiction to name a few are: romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, horror, and adventure fiction. When it comes to literary fiction, there’s really just one kind—literary fiction. There are “types” of literary fiction for instance, there is realistic, philosophical, contemporary and philosophical and something referred to as experimental fiction.
What is Literary Fiction?
Literary fiction is character-driven as opposed to being focused on the plot. Yes, you must have a plot, but it is secondary to the story. When I say “character driven” I am referring to an inward journey the main character takes and whisks the reader off to join them.
photo by Uran Wang
Full of Complexities
If the protagonist isn’t introspective, it’s not literary fiction. This is, in my opinion, the sheer joy of reading—and writing literary fiction. The main character does not react to the event in the story itself, but event spawns a feeling and the feeling manifests into an action.
Metahors, imagery and symbolism help to tell the story and by doing so may lead the reader to personal interpretations. Our own experiences shape the meaning of what we are witnessing just like in all art forms.
More About the Internal Journey
Literary fiction is purely human-centered. This is what makes this type of novel relatable. It makes it significant…important…applicable to our own lives.
Most of our journeys have nothing to do with boarding a plan, getting in a car or taking a train. Most of our journeys are inward as we try to decipher this larger journey we are all on together and that is life.
Who Reads Literary Fiction? And I’m Being General
Too few! Mostly women. Men, not so much.
Nothing against men—I’m one—but come on guys, there’s more to reading books than just science fiction, history, and biographies/memoir, crime and thrillers I should throw in stories about sports and war. Don’t get me wrong, if these are the kind of books you love to read, keep it going as reading is important, but consider mixing it up a little. Try literary fiction.
Having written literary fiction, fantasy and short stories, I’d have to agree that literary fiction is an art form…that it is “serious”. Perhaps folks would argue that all fiction is an art form. When our creative expression come in the form of words and it evokes a feeling in the observer, the reader, it is nothing less than an art form.
While reading literary ficion, our feelings and thoughts could evoke a sense of beauty or just the opposite, as humans are capable of just the opposite and pulling out our dark self. The feeling could inspire, transform or wake up that part of us that is sleeping. Believe me, there’s quite a bit burying in all of us that is fast asleep.
I Also Mentioned it’s “Serious”
Any time we read, or write, about the human condition, it is “serious” whether it’s direct, satirical or somewhere in between. Some things are out of our control and there’s no way around it, so we, and the character, deals with it. Is it how we would deal with it? Maybe.
When we read literary fiction, we are reading about what it is to be human and we see it in the choices the characters of the story must make to continue on our their path. Many times their path is not so different than ours.
My Reminder
Just a reminder, this article is what I learned from writing literary fiction. Others may interpret their knowledge and experience differently than me. That’s the beauty in writing and reading fiction. My thoughts assembled here, just like literary fiction itself, doesn’t end with a neatly tied bow, but I hope it makes us think. It makes us feel.
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered, and a decisive victory is won.”
This quote by Joseph Campbell has meaning to all cultures over thousands of years…and that’s a long time.
It’s so true and easy to see. Think of the last book you read or even the last movie you saw. Didn’t the main characters find themselves in a situation that blindsided them or one that they just couldn’t refuse—no matter what? They may not have “ventured” from the common day into the supernatural world—or maybe they did—but they left a place that was safe or familiar to a place that was unpredictable, scary, or even so horrifying with no seemingly good way to escape…but they do.
They escape, make a difference, reshape the world, or better yet, they reshape themselves.
Life Imitating Art or …
These are the stories we as the reader or viewer resonate with the main character—the hero. We actually feel we have become the hero. We relate to the “good guy”, or his/her “treasure” is also our treasure. If we don’t feel that way, however, the story goes thud and it doesn’t sit on top of our list of best stories of all time that we’ve read or movies we’ve seen.
Good storytelling, and some not-so-good storytelling, has been around forever—forever. When you think for a moment, most stories are allegories, unless it is, of course, non-fiction. An allegory is a story in which the character or situation symbolizes something greater than the actions taking place. These symbols tell us something about our life or our community.
Fiction Interprets Life
I literally cringe when I am told something like, “I don’t read fiction, especially fantasy. I only read what’s real.” Oh really? What’s real? Our best stories and best storytellers of all time over the centuries were/are all about interpreting life, or what is real, in new and reimagined ways. Think about it. Even non-fiction accounts and biographies are embellished. Fiction gives us more than the black-and-white of facts, accounts, or events. It gives us the texture, color, brightness, and clarity we seek in life.
Whether our day is mundane or extraordinary, we are the hero of our own journey—yep, our story can be pretty cool too. It doesn’t matter if you are 16 or 66, we all have something to share.
Sometimes our story is all about our very private quest to live a life of our own making and to follow our own truth.
We Face Challenges
Sometimes, as Campbell insists, we must let go of the life we are building for ourselves to find the life we are meant to live. That’s our story—that’s you and me. Don’t we venture forth and find a world full of surprises? Life is full of challenges whether we like it or not. It’s all in how we approach that modern-day dragon that makes us truly a “hero” or not.
Nevertheless, we must champion what’s right for us and stand up to the villains and beasts in our own quest. Sometimes that’s a neighbor, a boss, a system, or a belief. When we do this, however, we begin to harness “fabulous forces”, and unfortunately, a “decisive victory” is won—or not. There’s always the next chapter.
Make Believe or Truth?
Fiction in all its pretense and make-believe actually tells us the truth, that is, if you’re open to it. Since the beginning of time, humans have told tales about what they know best—themselves and their struggles. Whether we read about it or live it, you are the “hero”, and every story told or written over the years is about you. It is how humans have overcome tyrants, natural disasters and the voice within that is not always so kind.
Fiction adds a perspective that with some distance, gives an extra light that’s just enough to give us the clarity we seek.
Stories passed down for thousands of years are all about who we are. We are the heroes of every journey in every story over generations. I’m just not sure if life imitates art or if it’s the other way around. I do know, however, that fiction is all about the truth.
In future posts, I will share my thoughts on the Hero’s Journey and its 12 stages to tell a story.
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
Among many, a single Zen story grabbed my attention. Many years ago, I received a book full of Zen stories entitled, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki compiled this book of stories that were first told in the 13th century by Japanese Zen master Mujū (無住) (“non-dweller”).
At the time, this was all new to me so finding them all in one book was a treat for me. As I mentioned, one story stood out.
Zen Story
Giving the reader or listener pause, a Zen story conveys profound insights about our existence and stimulates new perspectives. They are simple but deeply filled with rich symbolism. As we read they draw us in to the moment we are living in and encourage us to question our path in life.
In particular, Zen story number 84, True Friends, stood out and was, and continues to be my favorite. As most Zen stories go, it is succinct and to the point, but it is powerful beyond all measures.
More about the Zen Story, True Friends
Of the many Zen stories, True Friends is unique among 101 tales. However, I wanted more on the sugject. I researched the “ultimate friendship” or “intimate friendship” in literature, especially among men, but what I found was surprisingly sparse. This seemed very odd to me, as friendships are vital to our existence.
Yes, there is no formal union or vow for a friendship, but having the fortunate but infrequent occasion to connect with someone on a deeper level and create a bond is life-altering. The opposite, unfortunately, is equally profound.
When writing my novel Cutting of Harp Strings, I searched the internet for more information about the Zen story True Friends. There too, I found very little. I wanted to dig deeper and gain as many perspectives as I could both in literary works and other Zen stories but I came up short. If you know of another Zen story about true friendship, let me know in the comments section below.
It was then that I realized that my story, the one I wrote, is the deeper view on friendship I was looking for. Of all places, it came from my pen and keyboard.
Because this Zen story, as far as I can tell is just about unknown, I receive many questions about the title of my novel and its symbolism. I’d like to share this excerpt from the story as I think it answers those questions.
“I would like to tell you a story, Eli. A very special story that an old Buddhist monk told me when I was just a little older than you. Not many know this, but I spent three years in a different sort of monastery.”
“A Buddhist monk? What? That’s awesome Father.” We both smiled, and he continued.
“A long time ago there were two friends, one who played the harp skillfully, and one who listened skillfully. When the one played a song about the mountains, the other would listen and say, ‘I’m on top of that mountain.’ And when the one played a song about the river, the other would say, ‘Here, right before us, is the running river.’
One day the one who listened became ill and died. Out of love, the first friend cut the strings of his harp, and never played again.”
I said nothing. Catching my attention, a squirrel scampered by and scurried up a tree. As my eyes followed him on his climb, the mountains appeared in full view.
Much symbolism may be found in the above eighty-eight words, but I am especially moved reading,
“…Out of love, the first friend cut the strings of his harp, and never played again.”
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
Being a writer goes hand in hand with being a reader. Nothing is better for developing the protagonist than this combination, which provides a strong foundation for fleshing out your protagonist or any of your characters.
Capturing the reader’s perspective is crucial. Character development is a creative process and not a science. Adding “ingredients” from a checklist will get you only so far as there is a true art of developing the protagonist. Don’t get me wrong– I’m not saying I’ve got it down pat, but as a practitioner, I have a few thoughts to share that may help.
Before your character slays a dragon, who are they? Are they scared? Maybe they’re boastful or even fearless. How did they get that way? What motivates them? How do they behave when they aren’t slaying dragons? Would you like them? Would they be your friend–your enemy? Do you think readers would connect with them? Why?
As I begin to write, I believe the characters are what enliven the story, so I “create” the protagonist first. Sure, I have an idea of the plot and some basics around it, but when I write I’m focused on breathing life into my characters. I always think about the reader and how they will receive the character. It is, however, a fine line between what I want in a protagonist and what I think the reader wants or expects. I enjoy a give-and-take as it makes the creative process challenging and fun.
Developing the Protagonist
Because writing is an art it is anything but mechanical. There are rules, yes, but as the creator of your story, I feel that appreciating and enjoying your time in the process and expressing your creativity in a way that follows your own truth is a pillar of “your Parthenon”.
…a gigantic sense of awe and humility…
There is both a gigantic sense of awe and humility when creating your characters. They have to be real to me before I think a reader may relate to them. The reader is always part of my character development process.
When creating my characters, I ask the questions:
what resonates with me about this character;
do I know someone like this or would or would not want to know them;
what are their vulnerabilities; and what are their redeeming qualities?
I ask these question from a reader’s perspective as well.
For antagonists or even villains, this is also important to use these questions, or ones of your choosing, to develop all your characters.
Emotions are a big part of developing characters
Unlike other living creatures, we as humans are defined by our emotions—and we have ALL of them and so should your protagonist. The most masculine or feminine character embodies all emotions.
The protagonist must express emotions other than a token one or two sprinkled in 70,000 to 100,000 words. Dialog and action are important but good characters must possess more.
I think some basic emotions such as anger, surprise, enjoyment, fear, disgust, and sadness should find a place in most stories.
If appropriate characters could exhibit pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, attachment, and jealousy. These are very human feelings and behaviors. When reading or telling stories, we should expect humans to be humans.
Flaws and all
When developing the protagonist, I think they should have a flaw–or several This is crucial. Does anyone really relate to the perceived “perfect” person? We have read very poignant stories of the perceived perfect person only to discover how their flaw(s) shaped them in the long run. Flaws can be almost anything but here are some to name a few.
Anxious
Impulsive
Stubborn
Insecure
Awkward
Hot-headed
Afraid of “something” like spiders, the dark, or a crowded room
What are their beliefs?
What do the protagonists (and other main characters) believe in? Their beliefs may be what motivates their behaviors throughout.
Do they believe in:
A higher power–or not?
Do they believe in the power of nature?
How about the “American Dream”?
What about the “rules of the street”?
Do they believe in the power of love? Do they believe in themselves– a little or way too much?
What human construct guides their lives or what do they want to change either in society or within?
Who are they?
What they believe in or want to believe in makes them who they are.
How about their backstory?
Unraveling the protagonist’s backstory throughout the story is a great way to slowly give your reader just enough information to keep them interested and turning pages.
Are they the middle child of a large family,
Are they an only child, or, perhaps, an orphan?
Do they come from a loving home or not?
Rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle? Why?
What obstacles did they face?
What was freely handed to them whether or not they accepted it or not?
Did they do something they are ashamed of or were they heralded as a champion of some kind?
What experience painted their life to this point?
“We are the sum total of our experiences. Those experiences – be they positive or negative – make us the person we are, at any given point in our lives. And, like a flowing river, those same experiences, and those yet to come, continue to influence and reshape the person we are, and the person we become. None of us are the same as we were yesterday, nor will be tomorrow.”
― B.J. Neblett, an American author
Well-developed characters cannot escape the life they have led before the moment they are introduced to the reader. But great characters emerge in front of our eyes as we join them in their journey.
Quirks – Everyone has them
This might be just me, but I think the protagonist should have some personality traits or quirks that have no apparent reason why they have such a trait
Why someone is fair when they have had an unfair life, or they are humble when they have sunk the winning shot, or they are insightful beyond their years all contribute to who the character’s being.
These are a few quirks that will make a character unique:
wears a funky hat/glasses
flips their hair a lot
has a special diet or favorite food
has a strange tatoo
winks at weird times
bites their lip in a stressful situation
juts out their chin when thinking
hums classical music at odd times
has a peculiar habit or pastime
Last thoughts
Developing the protagonist is above all things, an art. The creative process goes from the introduction to the last thought of a story, and the complexities of the protagonist and other characters take us there. They urge us to take their journey with them.
Writing well-developed characters involves exploring our own truths to create individuals with deep roots and profound insights that can move us. This process should be enjoyed and savored.
Keeping the reader in mind, developing good characters is an exploration of our own truth. The process should bring to life characters who are profound and have something to share. They should have the ability to move readers in some way as it is a delicate process unlike anything else.
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
The average text is 20 words, and the average sentence is about 10 words. The average person sends about 40 to 50 texts daily, and that’s something like 800 to 1000 words a day! Not everyone is the same, I know, but texting is a part of life. If you can text you can journal.
Why we should journal
Since we’ve gotten pretty good at conveying our message with very few words I say, apply this to writing a journal. To start, go for what would be a long text and shoot for 20 to 30 words for your first journal entry. Type it—or write it—somewhere for only your eyes to see.
So what are you waiting for?
Here are some outcomes that could come from journaling:
It can help bring some clarity to our life.
It can be a trusted place to share our deepest thoughts and emotions.
You’ll love it. Enjoy recording your life and go to it often for self-reflection or to make plans based on it.
It can help you understand yourself more fully.
It’s a place where you can “try out” your ideas without anyone judging them.
It’s a place where you can be completely open and honest with yourself.
Why we don’t journal
We hesitate to write down what’s important to us because it can be daunting—not our life necessarily, but all the rules and guidance that come with journaling. I did my research, and I have found what seems to be a whole matrix to guide folks to write anything from novels and poetry to to-do lists.
Rules are important, but not with journaling. I encourage a bit more freewheeling approach. The idea, in my mind, is to make it easy and enjoyable. I would love to see more folks write—and read.
A journal is about jotting down ourmoments, our thoughts and feelings. That’s a good place for us to start.
Back to texting/journalling…here’s an example of what I mean:
Monday, January 6, 2025
Today started with high expectations. Then my car didn’t start and was stuck at home. So bummed out but ended up starting my journal instead.
Or
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
My day started with dreading each hour. Later Nathan asked for my help with redecorating ideas for his apartment. Our ideas just popped up from nowhere. So much fun!
Or
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Thinking about asking Nathan out but maybe it’s too soon. Got to think about it. I got my car to start and went out with friends and had a blast.
WARNING: Do not think your entries in your journal need to read like Sylvia Plath, Franz Kafka, John Green, or any of the other thousand famous writers, scientists, explorers, or famous people we have heard of who have written journals. This is your life—give it some love.
Evolution of our Entries
As we write about whatever we want to write about from our day, we will see our entries evolve. How? That’s up to you. You may find that you go from 30 words to 60. Also, you may find begin to focus on only one part of your day. You may decide to write only how you feel about your day. It could lead to ideas and thoughts about your future.
It’s about the moment- your moment
In addition to the outcomes I shared above, I think it is an opportunity to document moments of your life: the good ones, maybe the ones we spent with others, and even a few not-so-great moments. It is who we are.
Our lives are seldom about one gigantic event, but it is about the stinging together of moments, both significant and ordinary. Your journal may be more helpful to you in the future than today as our minds get more cluttered by so much that isn’t really important, however, what you have to say and the moments that help define you are of ultimate importance.
Aiden, a character in my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings, put it this way:
“… Hey, no one’s perfect. I just look for the perfect moment, not the perfect person, and that includes when I’m looking at myself.”
I say go for the freewheeling approach to journaling. You know what’s best. Let your texting be your guide. If You Can Text, You Can Journal
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
I was a slow reader when I was young. Full disclosure: I’m still a slow reader—no big deal. But back in third grade and earlier, as a struggling reader, no matter what I did, I could not move up from the “Group 3” readers to Group 2 and certainly not Group 1. For an eight-year-old, that was a very big deal.
I know many teachers still use reading levels, and this is now under great debate, but it was nothing but a horrible experience for me and was a deterrent to my progress as a reader in many ways—anyway, I am digressing from the start so let me get back to my story.
As I said, I tried everything to advance to Group 2. Group 1 was my ultimate dream—weird, but that’s how my eight-year-old brain worked. My mom brought home books, and she would work with me, so I had wonderful support. Though I probably made more strides at home than at school, it just wasn’t enough for the teacher to notice my improvement. I liked reading as I knew, even as a little kid, that I could be a part of an adventure by reading books–and I liked that. But as a slow-reading little kid, this was painful time, but I kept plugging along.
When I was in third grade the bottom fell out for me.
I remember that day so clearly. The teacher, who I will only refer to only as Miss Cringeworthy told us, in her usual harsh tone, to open our readers. Our readers were full of forgetful stories that were anything but what third graders may read today: Matilda, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, Stuart Little, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to mention a few..
The book we read was a collection of archaic and unmemorable stories. What we read was the only part of that day that I can’t fully recall. I just know the stories were NOT interesting. Maybe if they were, I wouldn’t have struggled as much.
Our desks were arranged in rows. Miss Cringeworthy always started our reading lesson by having the first kid in the first row read the first paragraph. they would be followed by the second kid who would read the second paragraph and so on down the row to start again with row two.
I was the twelfth kid and near the end of the second row. I looked ahead in the story to find “my paragraph” that I would be reading. Reading it over and over again I hoped I would read it perfectly when it was my turn.
That was my plan – struggling reader or not!.
The Worst Silence
My heart began to beat faster and faster as the eleventh kid was finishing her paragraph. I cleared my throat and I began to read. I thought I was doing fine. But the next thing I heard came from Miss Cringeworthy. At the top of her lungs she bellowed, “STOP!”
It seemed like the worst silence I have ever experienced, as I felt my heart thump and thought the rest of my classmates could hear the “thump” too.
From where she was standing at the front of the room, she began to slowly walk down the aisle to where I sat. The only sound in the air was the click-click of her pointy high heels that she stuffed her feet into that morning. Each short step she tookgnawed at me until she stopped and hovered over me. Looking up, her face reminded me of a bowl of quivering Jello and her eyes bulged out.
I swallowed and looked right at her.
“I taught your older sister,” she said softly.
Pause.
“And I believe your older brother as well.”
Another pause that was much too long for any eight-year-old to endure.
“And you are nothing like them.”
Still looking at her bulging eyes in a pool of jiggling Jello, I wascrushed–I was mortified.
My eyes welled up and I was ready to bust out and cry. But I don’t know how I did it, but I held it in.
But I cried inside. Thankfully the class looked down at their books and said nothing.
She click-clicked her way back to the front of the classroom. That was that…until I told my mom…but that is another story.
Here’s me speaking to a college-level course in 2023 about writing fantasy.
Photo by Lisa Cipolletti >>
So…From a Struggling Reader to Writing Fantasy...Years Later
I never dwelt on this moment but I never forgot it either. Leap forward to 2011. As a lifelong daydreamer and lover of fantasy, I looked back at that moment and decided I wanted to write a story that I would have loved as that kid—and as an adult.
One that would captivate the reader that was full of mystery, marvel, and magic.
My story had to be about a young boy who was searching for answers; a story where the mentor was an encouraging guide. I wanted to write about following our heart and our truth. I wrote the first book, The Amulet: Journey to Sirok,of a fantasy trilogy. I called the series The Elias Chronicles.
Miss Cringeworthy was long gone before I wrote and published Book I of the trilogy, otherwise, I would have delivered her a personally signed copy–with a smile..
Have you ever had an experience like this one? What did you do about it? Let me know.
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
The Hero’s Journey, originally called monomyth, is a story structure where the main character, or the hero, reluctantly goes on an adventure from an “ordinary” or everyday world to a “special” or different world.
“The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. The hero journey is a symbol that binds, in the
original sense of the word, two distant ideas, the spiritual quest of the ancients with the modern search for identity, always the one, shape-shifting yet marvelously constant story that we find.”
― Joseph Campbell, The Hero’s Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work.
The hero must overcome challenges and if successful, they come home a changed person.
There are typically 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey, but they may vary and differ to some degree. Occasionally they are combined. This manner of storytelling is not just good for plot points in a story but an excellent way to develop characters.
It blows my mind that humans have used the Hero’s Journey to tell stories for thousands of years and humans have done this in every corner of the globe. How did humans who lived thousands of miles from each other and who were separated by oceans come up with the exact blueprint to tell a story? Could it be that humans are hardwired to tell stories? It shows that deep down, we all think and feel in similar ways.
The Hero’s Journey overlaps cultures simple as that.
Some of the earliest recorded myths, legends, and folklore from cultures around the world, date back a few thousand years which suggests that the monomyth has been a part of oral traditions well before Joseph Campbell coined the word in the twentieth century.
In recent times, books that follow this model include The Alchemist, Jane Eyre, The Fault In Our Stars, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hunger Games to mention a very few.
The pattern is not only a format for books, myths, or fables, but the Hero’s Journey is a common model for movies. Star Wars is an example as I understand that Jim Lucas spent time with Joseph Campbell to ensure that the films followed the pattern perfectly. Other movies include the Harry Potter movies (and books) as well as Moana and many animated films such as Lion King. Come to think about it, it is more difficult to find movies that don’t use some version of the Hero’s Journey.
The Hero’s Journey –Here’s a look at how it works:
These are the most commonly used stages or plot points identified by Joseph Campbell of The Hero’s Journey:
Departure
The Ordinary World
The Call to Adventure
Refusal of the Call
Meeting the Mentor
Initiation
Crossing the Threshold
Tests, Allies, and Enemies
Approach to the Inmost Cave
The Ordeal
Return
The Reward
The Road Back
Resurrection
Return with the Elixir
Here’s my take on each of the stages of the Hero’s Journey:
DEPARTURE
Ordinary World: One way to look at this stage is ordinary people doing ordinary things in an ordinary life. The “hero” really isn’t a hero just yet but then something falls into their lap—that’s coming up soon, but first, we need to get to know our soon-to-be hero. Sometimes we find out that they are a lot like we are and the more we relate, the better.
Call to Adventure: As our character goes about their daily business they receive some sort of message, or they stumble onto something, or they find themselves being called to do something unusual. All of sudden things are getting more exciting as the character struggles to make sense of the change they are experiencing. The reader is being pulled in too.
Refusal of the Call: In my mind, this is more of how the character reacts to being thrust into a new and scary situation. At this point, the character is reluctant to go further. Many times the character makes excuses for why they need to put blinders on and continue to go about their own business. Don’t we do this when confronted with the unexpected?
Meeting the Mentor: Business as usual, however, has gotten very complicated for the hero, so they seek out a wise and experienced person for help. They may be a professor, their grandma, or the low achieving high IQ friend. Whoever it is, the mentor gives our character what they need to respond to the “call” with some confidence. Many times we may hear the mentor simply say something like, “Go for it, what do you have to lose?” I usually need to run things by someone I think is smarter and wiser than me.
INITIATION
Crossing the Threshold: After some preparation, the hero is ready to go and step into a different world. Many times this is an enchanted world, like when Harry Potter and Ron Weasley run their trolleys into the brick pillar to get aboard the train headed for Hogwarts.
The hero doesn’t have to be headed to an enchanted world as it could be any major life change for instance something that prompts them to move from the city to the country, the first day at Boot Camp or being “discovered” by a Hollywood agent—that would be pretty cool. The world they are about to enter is far and away different from what they are used to.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero finds out pretty quickly who their friends and allies as is the hero is tested along the way. These are not life and death tests, but they can be grueling events giving the hero some pause and regret that they chose to answer the call. Think about the last time you second-guessed a big decision.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: As the hero gets closer to the most dangerous part of the journey, true and loyal friendships are solidified. The hero knows who to trust as they approach the uncertainty of their calling. Many times, however, the hero is on their own but knows their allies have their back. Now that’s a good feeling.
The Ordeal: This isthe part of the story that we often think is the climax, but it’s not the “real” climax after all. Our hero has much more to do—and prove later in the story. The hero may confront a life-or-death situation, or they may be facing the greatest fear they had in the ordinary and now it appears in this new or special world. They might come face to face with the hideous power that has stalked them throughout the journey. This “hideous power “can be found in other characters as well. It can be found in situations or events too in both real and symbolic ways.
As the hero goes toe to toe with the villain, they find out that they are not exactly ready to take on this evil force. This challenge is like no other and the hero plummets to their lowest ebb. Their spirit is broken. Don’t worry, it’s not the end—it’s upward and onward and the hero finds a way to mend their broken spirit. By doing so, our hero is reborn, but that’s coming up.
RETURN
The Reward: The hero now finds that missing piece that could have made the difference earlier in the story when they were crushed by their nemesis. How do they find it? The hero is somehow rewarded with information, a special weapon, or something they previously overlooked—this reward or the “missing piece” will propel them to victory.
The reward is not something new to the story, but it has something to do with the story. It could be knowledge, profound insight, a powerful gem, a book, or another object that will be needed as they confront their enemy one more time before heading back to the ordinary world.
With the reward, they are now ready to conquer the dark force that had stripped them of their power during the Ordeal. This is the hero’s rebirth and is key as this transforms the hero into a better version of themselves and ready for anything that comes their way.
The Road Back: The hero must, once more, approach the Inmost Cave—the most dangerous part of the journey—to face the villain. This time, however, our hero has all they need to accomplish the call. The hero defeats their archenemy and holds in their hand the elusive treasure. Again, this can be something physical like the Holy Grail, or it can be the treasure that the hero has internalized—a superpower, or maybe even knowledge that will create world peace.
Resurrection: When the hero is victorious they are symbolically reborn and at that moment the hero emerges transformed. At this point, the hero journeys home to their ordinary world with their treasure. The Resurrection represents the ultimate transformation of the hero both physically and spiritually.
Return with the Elixir: Joseph Campbell termed the treasure as the “elixir” where the hero shares his bounty with his ordinary world. They return home but life is now different—it’s better and the hero has been forever changed.
Whether fiction imitates life or life imitates fiction, I am convinced that we are all seeking the meaning of our own lives. In the stories that were told thousands of years ago or written yesterday, we are trying to make sense of who we are to our core, where we belong in the world, and if our lives make some kind of difference. The hero’s journey is a spiritual quest and our search for identity.
I love this quote as it sums it up…
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder. Fabulous forces are there encountered, and a decisive victory is won.” Joseph Campbell
As you read your next book or watch your next movie, think of this pattern. Not all stories have each plot point outlined above. Some may be combined, but generally, the stories we love, follow this pattern.
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
I attended an all-boys Catholic prep school in the 1970s. At that time, most of our teachers were monks who dedicated their lives to the Order of Saint Benedict. They were mostly older, stern men in black robes. Even though some taught Latin, “seizing the day” was not always top of mind.
Most were very good teachers. However, looking back I’d have to say the teacher who inspired me the most happened not to be a member of the monastic order. He happened to be one of the few laymen who taught us—Mr. Storino.
Our Introduction
It was the end of August and marked the beginning of my sophomore year in 1975 when twenty-five of us, or so, filed into Mr. Storino’s English Literature class. He sat at his desk, nose down reading a thick tome.
His classroom was on the second or third floor of a century-old building and as we learned in science class, heat rises—it was hot. There was no air conditioning. The large windows were raised as high as they would go letting in a periodic breeze here and there.
Moments passed and we continued to sit quietly as we heard classical music coming from an old record player. We didn’t dare say a word.
Colorful Posters
His classroom felt alive and there was an energy–a vibe. It was unlike all other rooms in that old building. The other teachers were “old school” and probably didn’t see the value in creating a cool learning environment. Their classrooms were barren besides the occasional cracks in the plaster or a crucifix. But, Mr. Storino’s walls were adorned with colorful posters of Impressionism or Abstract art among many other provocative wall hangings. Against the walls were bookcases that overflowed with all kinds of books. Sitting in my seat, I looked around the room and all I could do was smile.
Letting the Words Take Us– Seizing the Day
More than a decade before Robin Williams gave life to Mr. Keating in the movie Dead Poets Society, Mr. Storino was all about seizing the day—carpe diem. He wanted us to grab hold of the words of a story and let them take us somewhere other than that old classroom in that hot archaic building.
For those of us who took advantage of his enthusiasm, and I did, we became equipped to appreciate the required tenth-grade literature with open eyes.
His assignments made us think—and feel. Mr. Storino wanted more from us than what most fifteen-year-olds typically wanted to give in class—being vulnerable wasn’t in a teen boys’ lexicon.
He talked with us, not at us. He wanted my thoughts on whatI read? Really?
Not until many years later, did I realize just how much he awakened me to literature. He inspired me in so many ways, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from him. At that time I began to realize it is okay to like, or maybe even love, literature and to seek it out.I looked forward to his class where we could discuss The Metamorphosis, Brave New World, Catcher in the Rye, or… the list goes on.
Time Presses On
That was fifty years ago—wow! After that year, Mr. Storino took a position at a local public school, and I have not seen him since. Recently, I learned that he had a long teaching career and was heralded as one of the finest English teachers in his district.
Learning that about him made me feel even more fortunate.
When my novel, Cutting of Harp Strings, was published a friend helped me to locate him. As if I were fifteen again, I was a bit shy asking him to read it, but he was delighted and read it at once.
Since my best grade on any of my compositions in his class was a B+ (but mostly C+s if I’m honest), I was worried about how he would evaluate my latest work. However, I was pleasantly surprised—more like elated—bythe “grade” and review he gave the book on Amazon.
Teachers have so much to give. They have an awesome power and he played a major part in my love for reading and writing fiction.
He is a true inspiration.
Thanks, Mr. Storino!
Who influenced you the most?
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
My solitary path that I journeyed to reach “Cutting of Harp Strings” (2021) began in late 1994. One word led to another and after many rewrites over many years, the story became real. I could touch it, see it, hear it, smell it, and feel it.
This story celebrates life and its many paradoxical but inseparable forces in our universe – some may call it the yin and yang. We all experience such forces both outwardly and inwardly. It’s unimaginable to think of life without this duality,
but life as we now know it would cease to exist. such duality, we learn about ourselves and attempt to find meaning. I’m not the first to say this, but we are perhaps more interested in the meaning of our life than the meaning of life. I must agree with Socrates as he said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. We are reflective by nature but we, many times, overlook or are unwilling to find meaning from our introspection. Just look at history and how we, humankind, seldom heed its message.
“Know Thyself”
Also attributed to Socrates is the phrase, “Know thyself.” If we are willing to peel back the layers that humanity has heaped upon each of us, we may actually like—and love—who we are. It is up to us, one by one, to dig deep within our core to find a beauty we all possess. The core is always where answers live as they are seldom floating like a flower petal upon the surface of a pond. It takes reaching our hand below the murky surface to find what is truly there.
“Cutting of Harp Strings” celebrates, most of all, our relationships with those who matter most to us. We yearn for acceptance, affirmation, and intimacy. There is no one right path to find this in our lives. There are, however, inevitable detours along the path that impede our progress. Such detours, like denial, trick us and point us in different directions. We may have little or no clue of how we managed to be deceived—but it happens. Sometimes we are misled, urged to fit in, or discouraged from asking questions for any number of reasons. Some of us find the answers but continue down a misguided path. Could it be because we’re humans? Just a thought.
Our existence is about the many extraordinary connections we all experience. Those connections sometimes come in the form of shared moments. Like words, moments when collected and strung together, tell the tale of our lives. Our reality is made up of more than the big moments but made up of those intimate, fun, quiet, scary, insightful, quirky, bizarre, and mystical moments as well. If you are like most, you have experienced such moments.
Starting With that First Word
When I wrote the first sentence of this story, I had no idea what kind of journey I was on, but once in motion, there was no turning back. Eli, Aiden, and others told me who they were and where they were headed even though they were not
Writers don’t know the answers, but they do ask the questions.
sure themselves—such is life. I learned so much from their adventure as they invited me in. Writers don’t know the answers, but they do ask the questions.
When I wrote the first pages, I was someone else. I concentrated on the “rules of the road” and what was “supposed to be” in every novel. Life isn’t like that, and neither is this story. What I came to realize was that this journey is far more important to tell today than when I typed the first letter many years ago… no “spoilers” here as you will have to read it to find out.
What I Learned
As I wrote this story, what I learned most of all is that humanity is all about belief systems and ideologies, and because of this, humanity creates its own reality. If you will, our world is all imagined even though the sun shines, the waves of the oceans slap the shore, and the lightning strikes at will. However, life as far as I can tell is all about what goes on in our hearts. It’s how we feel about and engage with each other, our world, and our creator. More importantly, we shape our life as it springs from how we feel about the one person for whom we should love first, no matter what—ourselves.
Why do you read? Or write? What does it mean to you?
About E.G. Kardos
I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write. Here’s more about me and my books.
