How to write a novel, for people who don't write Part 2 (The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell)

The Hero’s Journey is a 12-stage narrative pattern, first identified by Joseph Campbell, an American mythologist and scholar. This structure is found in myths, legends, and stories from cultures around the world, and has been applied to various forms of storytelling, including literature, film, and drama.
Stages of the Hero’s Journey:
Ordinary World: The hero begins in a mundane, familiar environment, often unaware of the adventure that awaits.
Call to Adventure: The hero receives a summons or invitation to embark on a journey, often triggered by a crisis, challenge, or desire.
Refusal of the Call: The hero initially resists or declines the call, due to fear, insecurity, or other reasons.
Mentor/Helper: A guide or mentor appears, offering wisdom, guidance, and support to aid the hero on their journey.
Crossing the Threshold: The hero leaves the Ordinary World and crosses into the Special World of the adventure, committing to the journey.
Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero encounters various challenges, meets new friends and allies, and faces formidable enemies.
Approach to the Inmost Cave: The hero approaches a critical, often ominous, moment or location, symbolizing the climax of the journey.
The Ordeal: The hero confronts a severe test or challenge, often requiring great courage, sacrifice, or insight.
Reward (Seizing the Sword): The hero achieves a triumph or gains a valuable insight, marking a turning point in the journey.
The Road Back: The hero begins their return journey, often with a newfound perspective or understanding.
The Resurrection: The hero faces a final test or confrontation, emerging transformed and reborn.
Return with the Elixir: The hero returns to the Ordinary World, bringing with them the wisdom, power, or knowledge gained on their journey.
Key Insights:
The Hero’s Journey is a universal pattern, found in stories from diverse cultures and time periods.
The journey is not a linear progression, but rather a cyclical process of transformation and growth.
The hero’s journey is not limited to male protagonists; women’s journeys and stories can also be analyzed through this framework.
The Hero’s Journey has been influential in shaping storytelling and has been applied to various forms of media and art.
Examples:
Homer’s Odyssey (Greek mythology)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee’s novel)
Star Wars (George Lucas’s film series)
The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel)
By understanding the Hero’s Journey, storytellers can craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, and audiences can appreciate the timeless themes and patterns that underlie these stories.