The "K" is for the Kraken makes you a better writer, I am completely serious. Ok, hear me out before you roll your eyes. We find the Kraken in the tale of Hercules...a legendary adventure. In fact, almost every epic adventure tale is based on the Hero's Journey. The term was coined in the mid-1900s, in Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero With a Thousand Faces. He realized that in every mythic/epic journey there are several common elements. You can find these steps in Greek mythology like the Odyssey and in blockbuster movies like the Matrix. A PhD student named, Richard Kemp did a fascinating six-minute video using Star Wars as an example of the Heroe's Journey. It's a really great project.
The reason I am telling you this is that the steps that a hero takes is a great way to block out a novel...especially fantasy novels. Click here for a detailed explanation of the steps, as explained by a college professor, if you're interested. The premise is pretty straightforward and as I list off the steps, you'll probably recognize them in some of your favorite stories. The first part, I think, is the hardest to set up in a novel.
Departure - The call to adventure, the refusal, supernatural aid, crossing the first threshold, and the belly of the whale.
This is hard because you have to make your hero all happy and comfortable in his 'home world' and then ruin it somehow. Usually a tragedy sets things in motion. A new element is introduced, some sort of conflict like an Evil Empire, or a Princess's plea. The hero is reluctant, frightened even...you get the picture. The next phase of the journey is the 'on-the-road' experiences.
Initiation - trials, temptress/goddess, atonement with the father, apotheosis or time of peace, and finally, ulitmate boon.
Think of this as the second act. The Star Wars example gives Luke's destroying of the Death Star as the ultimate boon. Remember, although it was the end of the movie...it was actually halfway through his journey to becoming a Jedi. The final leg of the journey resolves the heroe's place in the world, his allegiances, and usually his future.
Return - refusal of the return, magic flight, rescue from without, crossing the return threshold, master of two worlds, and freedom to live.
This is the climax and denoument section. For example, the part in Return of the Jedi, where Luke is at the Ewok party and he sees and speaks with his father and Obi Wan Kenobi in their spirit essences...that is the Master of Two Worlds section. He now stradles the world of the ordinary, and the mythical or mystical world of his new nature. Interesting stuff, really.
The study of this framework for fiction writing shed light not only on my own writing and why I was struggling, but the complexity of other works. Thanks for joining me on this literary meander through the classics...I'd be interested to hear from you fantasy writers. What type of framework do you use?
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Until next time, Go Write!
