The monomyth structure is still one of the most effective storytelling tools anyone can take advantage of!
Also known as the hero’s journey, this timeless narrative pattern can help you create engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Here’s a recap of its 12 steps…
1. Ordinary World – Establish your protagonist’s everyday life, highlighting their normalcy and any existing problems or desires. This creates a relatable starting point for their journey and sets the stage for their transformation.
2. Call to Adventure – Introduce a challenge or opportunity that disrupts the protagonist’s ordinary world, forcing them to step out of their comfort zone. This could be an invitation, a threat, or a personal revelation.
3. Refusal of the Call – Initially, the protagonist may hesitate or resist the call to adventure due to fear, doubt, or a sense of responsibility. This internal conflict adds depth to their character and makes their eventual acceptance more meaningful.
4. Meeting the Mentor – The protagonist encounters a mentor or guide who provides support, wisdom, and encouragement. This figure helps them prepare for the challenges ahead and may offer them tools or training.
5. Crossing the Threshold – The protagonist commits to the adventure and leaves their familiar world behind, entering a new and unfamiliar realm. This marks a point of no return and signifies their willingness to face the unknown.
6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies – The protagonist faces a series of challenges, encountering both allies and enemies along the way. These tests help them develop their skills, learn valuable lessons, and grow as a person.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – The protagonist prepares for the most difficult part of their journey, facing their deepest fears and doubts. This may involve a period of reflection, planning, or gathering resources.
8. Ordeal – The protagonist confronts their greatest challenge, facing a life-or-death situation or a major setback. This is the climax of the story, where they must overcome their fears and summon their inner strength to survive.
9. Reward (Seizing the Sword) – Having overcome the ordeal, the protagonist receives a reward or achieves their goal. This could be a tangible object, a new skill, or a deeper understanding of themselves.
10. The Road Back – The protagonist begins their journey back to their ordinary world, but they are not the same person they were before. They may face new challenges or temptations on the return trip.
11. Resurrection – The protagonist undergoes a final test or transformation, proving that they have learned from their experiences and are ready to return to their community. This may involve a symbolic death and rebirth.
12. Return with the Elixir – The protagonist returns to their ordinary world, bringing with them the knowledge, skills, or treasures they have gained on their journey. They share their experiences with others, inspiring them to embark on their own adventures.