A Writer’s Journey As It Corresponds To The Monomythic Structure Of The Hero’s Journey
Or, How A Book Is Born
I had a moment during the writing of my latest when I realized my own personal journey in writing a book is a perfect mimic of Joseph Campbell's Hero’s Journey. I laughed and pulled together this silly little completely tongue-in-cheek map for my writing process.
Ordinary World = I exist. I love to read. One day I might write a book. It’s so much work. Squirrels!
Call to Adventure = OMG I have the best idea. I should write a book. (Concurrent with) OMG — I have the perfect story idea for that big commercial high concept novel my agent wants me to write.
Refusal of the Call = That’s crazy. Why would anyone ever want to read something you’ve written? (Concurrent with) So my agent loved the proposal. Now I just need to spend the next year doing my research and outlining this book.
Meeting of the Mentor = Various. Can be your agent, your writing partner, your writer friend who says, Hey, that’s a great idea. Get writing. Feel excited, ambitious. Have excellent hair day. Decide to go for it. You have nothing to lose, right?
Crossing the Threshold = That glorious time when the words are pouring forth from your fingers and every day you rush to the computer to get the words down. You are dreaming plot and character.
Tests, Allies, Enemies = Daily word counts, plot, characters suddenly acting like rattlesnakes, friends who want to have lunch. Nothing works. This book makes no sense. You know, there’s this great plot idea I had in the shower, that would work so much better. Writing partner and spouse pet and soothe, assure the work is worth your time and you can do that other cool story another time.
Approach = Desolate and scared, writer parks ass in chair every stinking day until there are actual words and characters growing from the blank space. Benchmarks met and pushed through — 10K, 50 pages, 25K, 100 pages.
Ordeal, Death and Rebirth = The moment you hit the halfway mark and realize this is the worst tripe ever. No one will buy this story. I’m going to miss my deadline, and throw the whole schedule off, and lose my contract, and no one will want to read me ever again. Write. Drink. Loathe.
Reward, Seizing the Sword = After weeks of tearing out your hair, that I’ve got it. Eureka! moment. Now I just have to rewrite the last 50k to match the plot solution.
The Road Back = 75K done, three weeks to deadline. This book isn’t so bad after all. It was all there. My subconscious left me a major trail of breadcrumbs. But I just need to make this one change… (Drat. Must rewrite ten chapters to make change fit.)
Resurrection = The Final Push. Showering is optional, cooking is optional, sleep is optional, drinking is mandatory. Deadline is in sight. Oh, God, this SUCKS!! Wait, maybe it’s not so bad. No, it does suck.
Return with the Elixir = IT’S DONE!!!!!!!! Holy Crap. I actually made my deadline. And this book is coherent. Send to beta readers, agent and editor, drink copious amounts of champagne.