(Go back to Part 1 on this page. Find: “Article: The Hero’s Journey Structure for Writers of Narrative Non-Fiction and Feature Writers“)

 

Now, after discovering Vogler’s book and taking a storytelling class on narrative structures with Uwe Walter, I would approach my outline in a slightly different way:

 

Step 1:

 

Interview for the Hero’s Journey stations

 

In other words, ask questions related to each station on the journey to learn things like:

 

-What initially held the subject back from embarking on the project/adventure/journey?

-Who became the subject’s mentor?

-What sparked the subject to embark on the quest?

-What ordeals did the subject encounter along the way?

-How did the subject overcome in the ordeal (or fail to overcome)?

-etc.

 

Step 2:

 

Analyze the impact on your main character (and even minor characters) of going through each step on the Hero’s Journey.

-How did your main character’s perspective change after going through X, Y, or Z?

 

Step 3:

 

Plot out the scenes and actions in the story that propel your character/subject from a higher station to demise, or from a lower station to a moment of glory along the so-called dramatic staircase.

 

Tip:

When it’s time to write your story, step away from techniques and structures and tell the story in the most natural way possible.