Here is a fun and easy-to-understand guide to the Hero’s Journey in story writing, shared in simple English just for young minds. The Hero’s Journey is a special way many stories are told — where an ordinary character goes on an adventure, faces big challenges, learns something important, and returns stronger and wiser. It helps writers create exciting and meaningful stories that readers love. Each part of the journey shows how the hero grows step by step. This magical path has been used in famous books and movies, and now you can use it too to make your stories shine!
🌟 What is the Hero’s Journey?
The Hero’s Journey is a famous idea in storytelling that explains how many great stories follow a similar path. This idea was created by Joseph Campbell, an American writer and mythologist. He studied myths and stories from different cultures and found that many of them followed the same structure. He explained this in his 1949 book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.” Later, writers like George Lucas (creator of Star Wars) used it to write powerful stories. The Hero’s Journey has about 8-12 steps, showing how a normal person faces a big challenge, changes through the journey, and comes back stronger. It is used in books, movies, and even in real life. The steps include leaving the normal world, facing tests, meeting helpers, fighting fears, and learning lessons. This structure helps writers build stories that are emotional, exciting, and meaningful — because they match the journey of real human growth.
🪜 Step 1: The Ordinary World
The story begins by showing the hero’s normal life. This is the world before any big change happens. The reader learns who the hero is, where they live, what they care about, and what problems they already face. It might look peaceful, boring, or even a little sad. This step helps us see what is missing in the hero’s life — something they might not even realize yet.
The ordinary world makes the hero relatable. When readers see that the hero is a regular person like them, they care more. It also creates a strong “before and after” effect. By the end of the story, when the hero grows, readers can clearly see how far they’ve come.
Example:
Anaya, an 11-year-old girl, lives in a quiet mountain village, loves drawing, but is shy and afraid to share her art.
🪜 Step 2: The Call to Adventure
Something unusual happens — the hero is invited, forced, or pulled into a new situation. This is called the “call to adventure.” It could be a letter, an event, a problem, or a new opportunity. This moment shows the start of change. The hero may feel excited or scared. This is the spark that pushes the story forward.
Without the call to adventure, there is no story. It gives purpose and direction. It shows that something needs to be done and that the hero has a chance to grow by stepping outside their normal life.
Example:
Anaya’s art teacher tells her about an international online art contest. She is invited to join, but she hesitates.
🪜 Step 3: Refusal of the Call
At first, the hero usually refuses to go. They may feel scared, weak, or unsure. They might say, “I can’t do this,” or “What if I fail?” This step shows the hero’s inner doubts and fears. It’s normal to resist change, and this part makes the hero feel more human. Often, someone or something will later help them change their mind.
This step builds emotional depth. It shows that the journey is hard and not easy to accept. It makes the reader understand that courage doesn’t mean no fear — it means going forward despite fear.
Example:
Anaya worries that she’s not good enough and might get laughed at if people see her drawings.
🪜 Step 4: Meeting the Mentor
A mentor or guide appears — someone older, wiser, or more experienced. This person helps the hero believe in themselves. They might give advice, tools, or encouragement. Sometimes the mentor is a teacher, a parent, a stranger, or even a magical figure. The mentor does not fight the hero’s battles — they prepare them.
Mentors give the hero confidence and support. This shows readers that growth is not done alone. It also adds wisdom and guidance to the story, giving the hero new strength to face the journey.
Example:
Anaya’s grandfather, a quiet artist, shows her an old sketchbook of his drawings and tells her how he once faced the same fear.
🪜 Step 5: Crossing the First Threshold
Now the hero decides to act. They leave their ordinary world and step into the new, unknown world of adventure. This is often scary and full of surprises. It’s the point of no return. The hero commits to the journey, even though they don’t know what’s ahead.
This moment marks real change. It tells readers, “Now the story truly begins.” It shows bravery and the willingness to grow. Once the hero crosses this line, challenges and transformation begin.
Example:
Anaya submits her artwork to the contest — her first time ever showing it to strangers.
🪜 Step 6: Tests, Allies, and Enemies
In the new world, the hero faces small tests or challenges. They may meet new friends (allies) and also new dangers or rivals (enemies). These tests prepare the hero for the bigger challenge ahead. The hero starts learning skills, making mistakes, and gaining confidence. This part often has ups and downs.
This step builds excitement and shows growth in action. It helps the hero learn who they can trust and how to solve problems. It also gives space to build strong relationships and interesting scenes.
Example:
Anaya faces harsh comments online but also meets a kind artist from another country who encourages her to keep going.
🪜 Step 7: The Ordeal or Major Crisis
This is the biggest challenge — the darkest, hardest moment of the story. The hero must face their deepest fear, loss, or weakness. Sometimes they feel like giving up. This moment tests everything they’ve learned so far. But by facing it, they break through and become stronger.
This step is the emotional heart of the story. It creates real tension and shows the true power of growth. Readers hold their breath to see if the hero will rise or fall.
Example:
Anaya finds out someone copied her artwork and posted it first. She feels betrayed and thinks about quitting.
🪜 Step 8: Reward and Return
After facing the big challenge, the hero earns a reward — maybe success, wisdom, friendship, or self-belief. Then, they return home or back to their normal life, but now they are different. They see the world with new eyes. The story ends with peace, learning, or a joyful moment. This finish shows that the journey was worth it.
This step shows the message of the story. The reward is not always winning — it’s growth, courage, or truth. The ending leaves the reader with hope, meaning, and inspiration.
Example:
Anaya doesn’t win the contest, but she gains confidence. Her artwork is praised by a well-known artist, and she decides to start her own art club in her village.
🏁 Conclusion
The Hero’s Journey is more than just a story structure — it is a powerful way to explore human growth. From living in the ordinary world to facing fear, meeting mentors, taking action, and returning changed, the journey mirrors how we all grow in real life. Writers use this model to create stories that are full of emotion, meaning, and excitement. Whether your hero is fighting a dragon or learning to believe in themselves, these steps help shape the story’s heart. Each part plays a role — showing doubts, strength, mistakes, and success. The best part is that every person — child or adult — can see a bit of themselves in the hero. That’s why the Hero’s Journey has stayed popular for over 75 years. It helps us understand that even small people can become strong, wise, and brave — just like Anaya. So pick your hero, start the journey, and let your story shine!
