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"For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the herojourney is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulet against the dragon forces he is about to pass."
-Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces |
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First I want to start out with an answer to a good question from The Knight Has Found Romance   :
What if, in one's work of fantasy or fiction, there IS no herald?? Does that mark the effort as a failure, to be discarded and forgotten?
Answer: No! "The Hero's Journey" is simply an archetype, a pattern used in many fantasy stories. You definitely do NOT have to follow it to write a terrific story. Don't feel constrained by the steps of the "Hero's Journey"; I'm simply relaying them to help the creative process. If your fantasy story doesn't have a journey in it, don't add one if it doesn't fit the plot. 
And now, the next step in "The Hero's Journey"...
A Hero's Journey: Supernatural Aid
Our hero has Refused the Call, and then repented of his decision. He decides to set out on his journey. What now? A long road is in front of him; perhaps he doesn't know where to start? Perhaps he must cross dangerous ground where only supernatural aid will see him through? Maybe he just needs a map (and since, like most men, heroes never ask for directions, they have to go the wrong way and let the Supernatural Aid tell them how silly they were).
Supernatural Aid can show up in many forms; like the river that washed Psyche ashore after her attempted suicide in the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Often, however, the Aid will be in the form of a traveling companion that will stay with the hero for most or all of his journey, or disappear and reappear throughout the journey.
For one example, Gandalf the Grey pops in and out of Bilbo Baggins' quest in The Hobbit, providing pithy nuggets of wisdom and helping the traveling group out of tight spots. Cinderella's Fairy Godmother helps her wow Prince Charming, Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series appears periodically to help Harry and guide him, and Glenda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz sets Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road with a pair of "magical" slippers.
"What such a figure represents is the benign, protecting power of destiny . . . Not infrequently, the supernatural helper is masculine in form . . . some wizard, hermit, shepherd, or smith, who appears, to supply the amulets and advice that the hero will require."
-(pg. 71-72)
Sometimes the Supernatural Aid comes from a least expected quarter, like beings the hero expected to be evil, nature, a trinket the hero possesses displaying strange powers, or perhaps within the hero himself (i.e. unknown magical talents).
So, writer, is your hero in a tight spot? Never fear, Supernatural Aid is on the way  .
Questions to help think about this step
 What special friends or helpers does the hero have?
Does the hero receive some magical help, advice, or talisman from someone wise and benevolent?
Is their someone who helps them prepare to leave on their journey?
Is it a one time assistance, or will the helper (or helpers) appear throughout the journey?
Is the helper an internal aspect of the hero?
Works cited: The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell |
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From: thezri 
Good job, Erin, on this newsletter! I am new here, and I like this newsletter! I especially like the tips on writing!
Thanks for reading!
From: scribbler
a refusal always makes them seem more human, and personally I like that. =)
Good point! Many people may say they want to go on an adventure, but when it comes down to it, the prospect can be frightening. Refusing lets the reader see that they aren't in control all the time .
From: Strange Wulf
One of my stories doesn't seem to have much of a refusal. I do think I know where to put it in though, a bit earlier than most would have it or expect it.
Does it count if the refusal and acceptence come just before or in the midst of the tragedy? =P I admit, I don't always do things the normal way.
I hope I answered that above, Wulf . Don't feel like you're boxed in with the steps of the Hero's Journey. Mix and match; do what you want, or what the plot calls for . |
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Fantasy: November 15, 2006 Issue [#1373]
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