Herb Holeman Mystery Author Writer References

Story Plotting with Mythic Structure

by Herbert Holeman, Ph.D.

The mythical pattern of the hero's journey is present in stories told throughout the ages and across different cultures. This table relates the mythic structure of Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces* to the "story creation steps developed by John Jarvis and as explicated by Christopher Vogler in his work, The Writer's Journey, 2ed.

JARVIS ACT AND STORY CREATION STEP	CAMPBELL, STAGE AND CHAPTER	VOGLER STAGE OF JOURNEY
Act 1, Step 1. Hero at Home (Ordinary World)	Chap 1, Departure - Call to Adventure,p49	Act 1, Ordinary World, p81
Act 1, Step 2. Challenge (Extraordinary World)	Chap 1, Departure - Refusal of the Call, p59	Act 1, Call to Adventure, p99
Act 1, Step 3. Meeting with the Mentor	Chap 1, Departure - Supernatural Aid, p69	Act 1, Refusal of the Call, p107
Act 1 Step 4. Hero at the Edge	Chap 1, Departure - Crossing of the First Threshold, p77	Act 1, Meeting with Mentor, p117
Act 2, Step 5. Point of No Return	Chap 2, Initiation - The Road to Trials, p97	Act 1, Crossing of the First Threshold, p127
Act 2, Step 6. Tests by Antagonist Helpers	Chap 2, Initiation - The Road to Trials, p97	Act 2, Tests, Allies, Enemies, p135
Act 2, Step 7. Tests by the Antagonist	Chap 2, Initiation - The Road to Trials, p97	Act 2, Approach to the Innmost Cave, p145
Act 2, Step 8. Despair	Chap 1, Initiation - Belly of the Whale, p90	Act 2, Ordeal, p159
Act 3, Step 9. Chain Break Tide has Turned	Chap 3, Return - Crossing Return Threshold, p217	Act 2, Reward, Seizing the Sword, p181
Act 3, Step 10. Ready for the Fight	Chap 2, Initiation - Apotheosis, p149	Act 3, The Road Back, p193
Act 3, Step 11. Confrontation	Chap 3, Return - Master of Two Worlds, p229	Act 3, Resurrection, p193
Act 3, Step 12. Resolution	Chap 3, Return - Freedom to Live p245	Act 3, Return with the Elixir, p193