Someone doesn’t have to know me for long to learn I love to write. They don’t have to know me much longer to discover I have a fascination with The Hero’s Journey and every element of a good story.
For a few weeks, I thought I was the only one who knew about this plot archetype. I pieced it together one fall evening with an epiphany of realization, noticing the plot similarities between my favourite books and movies. I thought I made a literary breakthrough, discovering the DNA of stories. I wrote it down, diagram and everything, highlighting the key plot elements and structure. I was so excited about my findings that I planned to show this to every English teacher I knew so we could marvel together at it.
Unfortunately, mere weeks later in class, my teacher introduced us to archetypes, with a brief mention of Hero’s Journey. I was surprised to find out that I was, in fact, not the first to discover this, but was still proud that I initially figured it out without the help of a teacher.
Not only do I see this plot cycle in fiction, but I see it in my own life (see my post The Writer’s Journey), I see it throughout history, and I see it in the Bible.
I was thrilled to be able to share this passion I have for stories with others through writing for Unlocked Daily Readings for Teens. I hope it gives you hope in knowing you are part of something bigger than your daily struggles – part of The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Great Adventure.
Read or listen to my devotional The Greatest Story Ever Told today on unlocked.org under July 1, on the Unlocked App, or follow this link: https://subspla.sh/7xhc5bd.
Abby Ciona 