For example, perhaps your hero has to find a special resource that will allow them to repair a machine that cleans all of the water for their village. Or, perhaps someone the hero loves has been kidnapped and they need to seek out and fight the villain who took this person from them.
For example, your hero might be the son of a blacksmith who is skilled at sword fighting, but incredibly humble about their abilities and unwilling to enter competitions. Or, your hero might be a beautiful young princess who prefers blue jeans to ball gowns and who isn’t above working alongside her own staff when there’s a crisis.
For example, your hero might be clumsy, gullible, hot-tempered, or impatient.
For example, perhaps your hero needs to gain self-confidence and overcome a fear of public speaking. To give them practice, they might have a couple of opportunities where they will have to get the attention of a small crowd or a room full of people. This could be leading up to a scene where they have to speak in front of thousands of people to achieve their objective.
For example, the ordinary world in Toy Story is Andy’s bedroom when the toys are alone and come to life. Woody serves as Andy’s toy when Andy wants to play with him, and Woody also conducts toy meetings when Andy is not around. [8] X Research source
The conflict or call to adventure in Toy Story is when Woody is replaced by Buzz Lightyear. Woody feels rejected and his visible hurt feelings add to his likeability, but he is also very jealous of all of the attention Buzz is getting. Woody’s jealousy is one of his flaws. [10] X Research source
In Toy Story, Woody refuses the call to adventure by denying that Buzz is Andy’s new favorite toy. He also denies his own feelings and that he is jealous of Buzz. Woody’s fear of no longer being the favorite is what drives him to deny what is actually happening. [12] X Research source
In Toy Story, Woody’s mentor is Buzz. Even though Buzz is new to Woody’s world, he has different abilities than Woody does. Woody learns new things from Buzz while they are in the outside world. Another good example of a hero’s guide or mentor in a story is Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. He teaches Luke the ways of the Jedi so that Luke can go on his adventure. [14] X Research source
For example, in Toy Story, Woody is forced to go on his adventure after Buzz falls out the window. Buzz falling out the window and Woody encountering him in the car after that happens is when they are over the threshold. [16] X Research source
For example, in Toy Story, Woody and Buzz are tested when they have to work together to find Andy in the arcade. In the arcade, they also meet some new friends, such as the aliens in the claw machine. They also face off with an enemy: Sid, the kid next door who tortures toys. [18] X Research source
For example, in Toy Story, Woody and Buzz end up in Sid’s bedroom and Woody can see his home from where they are. However, the other toys are still leery of him and he cannot return home until he lets go of his jealousy and works with Buzz to get back.
This is a great opportunity to show how your hero has grown through their adventures. [21] X Research source For example, your hero might demonstrate a skill that their mentor tried to teach them, but they struggled to master until this moment. In the example of Toy Story, Woody’s greatest challenge is teaming up with Buzz and the other toys in Sid’s room to stop Sid from hurting any more toys. They come up with a plan together and work as a team to scare off Sid. [22] X Research source
For example, in Toy Story, Woody and Buzz escape from Sid’s home and Woody has overcome his jealousy of Buzz. They’ve developed a meaningful friendship as a result of their adventures.
For example, in Toy Story, Woody’s final test is when he has to trust in Buzz and accept his help to get back to Andy. Buzz uses his special skills to get them to the car, and Woody shows that he is no longer jealous of Buzz. He is amazed by him and gladly accepts his help. [25] X Research source
For example, Woody compliments Buzz rather than poking fun at him showing that he has grown from the beginning of the story when he was jealous of Buzz and picking fights with him. In some stories, such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the hero actually dies temporarily. Harry Potter dies, has a vision or visits a place between life and death, and then he is resurrected with new strength to defeat Lord Voldemort.
For example, in Toy Story, the new normal is much like the beginning of the story. However, instead of Woody running the toy meeting on his own, he is co-running it with Buzz. This shows that their friendship is still intact and that there is peace and harmony in Andy’s room.
