Josh Coker - The Iconic Heros Journey: How To Write The Classic Hero Archetype

The Iconic Heros Journey

How To Write The Classic Hero Archetype

Book 1 in the Modern Monomyth Archetype Series

By Josh Coker

Edited By Julie Tarman

Copyright

C opyright 2018 by Story Ninjas

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

To learn more about Story Ninjas Publishing, check us out at www.story-ninjas.com

B e the first to review this book by clicking here.

Premise

E very story has characters . These fictional personas allow the reader to feel your story in a visceral way. They can smell, touch, taste, see, hear and interact with the world youve created. The protagonist, main character, antagonist and more. These are the eyes and ears of the audience. The more they empathize with these fictional beings, the more engaged they become in your story. When a reader feels connected to a character, they will go to great lengths to read your book. They will miss sleep, show up late for appointments, and even spend more money on sequels. All because theyre hooked. They have to know what happens next. They are forced to read more, because they feel as though their lives are intertwined with the fate of your characters.

Whether youre a novel writer, a screenwriter or something in between, this type of story immersion is the ultimate goal of a storyteller.

The Problem With Most Characters

U nfortunately its easier said, than done.

Many fictional characters fall flat. And in turn, the stories they belong to are forgotten. Both new authors and bestsellers alike struggle to find the magical formula. No matter how hard they try, their characters seem cliche, stereotypical, predictable or all of the above. Many times this is because the writer focused on superficial character traits or stereotypes, rather than deep internal motivations.

Mythological Archetypes Are The Solution

If you can reach your audience on a subconscious level, your characters will come to life and your story will feel real. The best way to do this is to use mythological archetypes. While most writers are vaguely familiar with the Monomyth, many dont realize its true significance.

Mythology is the most powerful storytelling method thats ever existed.

For example, have you ever stopped to consider why some stories were passed down throughout the ages, while others were forgotten?

Why have characters like King Arthur, Perseus, Odysseus, Hercules, and Gilgamesh (to name a few) stood the test of time? What makes them different from the millions that have been lost to antiquity?

Simply put, its the power of myth.

The power of archetypes.

Every main character from these stories is based on a mythological archetype; a stock psychological form that is deeply ingrained in the human psyche. The better the audience can identify the individuals in your narrative, the more likely your story will succeed.

I nside youll find the following information:

1. The truth about commercial fiction
2. How to write an iconic hero, even if youve never written fiction before
3. The definition and basic explanation of archetypes
4. Common misconceptions about the Classic Hero archetype
5. How NOT to write an archetype
6. Why you should never have a perfect hero
7. Can you write your characters wrong? A warning against stereotypes
8. The secret that will make your audience immediately embrace your hero
9. How the Classic Hero archetype evolved into the modern iconic iteration
10. Ill teach you what a real hero is
11. The psychological significance of the hero in the narrative
12. The difference between a protagonist, main character, and her
13. How to write heroes that feel real, without going through a four-page character study
14. The most common conflict resolution tendencies of heroes
15. The tools, weapons, and fighting styles most iconic heroes use in fiction
16. How to create an impactful character arc for your hero
17. The relationship between the inner journey and the outer journey
18. Why plotting out your heros inner journey first is the only approach that works
19. How the hero fits into the acts and stages of the narrative
20. Variations of the hero archetype including introductions to the female heroine and non-human heroes
21. The various moral alignments of the hero
22. The classic 3-act structure that all blockbusters follow
23. Over 40 end-of-chapter action steps that you can implement in your story immediately to beef up the heroes in your story

Moreover, this book is filled with countless examples from mythology, literature, movies, comics, video games and more to give you a deep understanding of how the Classic Hero is used in modern storytelling. Ultimately well discuss how to use the hero archetype in your own story, so your audience will care about your character and read your book.

Why Should You Listen To Me?

I m not a guru, or a best selling author (yet). Nor do I believe that I know everything there is to storytelling, or the Monomyth. The main reason I wrote this book is because I too, wanted to know more about the Classic Hero and how to use this powerful archetype in my stories. For nearly a decade I searched for the missing answers. While I did find snippets of information tucked away in a book here, or hidden on the internet there, I never found a one-stop-shop that that provided an in depth explanation on how to use the Classic Hero in modern storytelling. Sure, Joseph Campbells ground breaking book, A Hero With A Thousand Faces, is a great starting off point. However, its highly academic, and focuses more on how to analyze ancient myths, than how to write modern ones. Ultimately, I set out to write the book I wished had been around when I started my search years ago. So, while Im not Joseph Campbell, or Christopher Vogler, I have dedicated several years to learning about mythology and the craft of writing. I am an English Major and Psychology minor. Ive written both fiction and nonfiction books, including books about the Modern Monomyth. And Ive created multiple Youtube and Blog posts regarding the Heros Journey. Furthermore, Im the proud co-founder of an independent publishing company called Story Ninjas. We are a small, veteran-owned-and-operated business that helps aspiring writers share their story with the world. In that role, Ive had the opportunity (and curse) of outlining, reviewing, and editing hundreds of stories as well as mentor other authors on their narratives. Ultimately I believe it comes down to this simple truth: the information in this book, will help you understand the Classic Hero archetype and allow you to develop a powerful character in your own story.