I’m pondering my own ordinary world to better grasp the hero’s journey.
I’m just a writer, trying to undo the 9-to-5 rhythms that tethered my body and mind to desk and duty for years. Most of us can recognize the “career path” or “job market.” We make it ordinary by showing up every day with our rituals of Starbucks or bagels in the break room.
We taxi kids throughout each grade as if they are in prep-school for the ordinary world.
And one day I walked away. I resigned the position I loved, but one that had fatigued time from my bones and imagination from my days. Under ordinary circumstances, though, I would have stayed employed forever. I would have sprinkled my suburban yard with sun-gold tomato seeds and left wild places for weeds to harbor bees and butterflies; I would have barbequed brats and swilled canned beer with my neighbor. And called it good…enough…
But I walked away from that. Not kicking and screaming, or trumpeting and heralding, but with sadness and fear. Like a hero, I didn’t answer some call to be a writer. Oh, I wanted to; I longed for it; dreamed of it enough to take annual pilgrimages to writing retreats or conferences. I joined a terrific writers group. I bought books on the craft and I dutifully paid monthly on the student loans that earned me the writing degree that allowed me to work in marketing and management and business communications.
Stories skimmed the surface. They bubbled from time to time, breaking the waters like a turtle searching for a place to bask. I wrote a few starts; a few shorts. I taught my team to write cinquains and I loved the months that it was my turn to lead the writers group in Saturday morning prompts.
I had money, support, stories still in my blood. Why walk away from the ordinary world? After all, it was quite comfortable.
Ah, comfort. The comfort zone. Who wants to enter the abyss or cave–otherwise known as the “supreme ordeal.” Are you kidding me? Ordeal? Let’s not.
And truly that is insight to the not-yet-a-hero character. The ordinary world defines her–or his–comfort zone.
Consider the opening to the epic series, “Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan. The first chapter is about an ordinary world, despite the its opening line, “The Wheel of Time turns, and the Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend.” We know it’s going to be an epic, but first we must see how ordinary the one-day-hero is. We see him in a thin cloak with wind gusting at his back; a sheep-herder’s son on the a walk into a very ordinary town. He’s just a common boy, nothing more.
Recently, I watched two movies that are classic hero’s journeys: “Gravity,” and “Captain Phillips.” The first opens up with Sandra Bullock’s character performing an ordinary service, albeit in an extraordinary setting. But she firmly focuses on staying in her comfort zone; she’s just doing a job. She’s an ordinary astronaut, not a maverick. In the second movie, we see Tom Hanks’ character preparing to go to work as a sea-faring cargo captain. He’s talking with his wife, discussing job opportunities for their kids, driving to the airport. He’s just an ordinary guy with a job.
The comfort zone of the ordinary world is what brings magic to the writing of a hero’s journey. Bad things start to happen, mentors show up to help, but we struggle to stay comfortable. Without that ordinary world perspective, we would not understand how transformative the hero’s journey is.
If the hero jumped right into being heroic, there isn’t the growth of tension or the deliverance of the elixir in the end. If we charge out on a white horse and win all the battles, our stories become predictable and ho-hum. But we can each understand what it is to struggle to stay comfortable and ordinary; we can hold our breath as trials and tribulations begin to mount; we can cheer the common sheepherder who emerges the Dragon Reborn.
If I hadn’t had a series of unfortunate events push me from suburban home and secure career, I wouldn’t fully comprehend how incredible it is that I can walk outside my door and see elk romping past in a gang. Then I can fix my coffee, write my words and share stories. It’s become my elixir. It’s not safe–I barely make enough money to get by; I rent this lovely home but it’s not mine; no one promises to publish what I write.
It’s no longer an ordinary world. So consider that when you think you have to open your novel with 100% thrill and action. Set the ordinary first.
And I’d love to hear from any writers about how they have done that! How do you set the ordinary world while hooking the reader into an extraordinary journey?
Beautiful post, Charli, you’ve certainly been heroic in leaving your secure base! In my fiction, I certainly struggle with the balance between ordinary and extraordinary events for my characters, especially as when unpublished you’re always trying to grab someone’s attention. I love your point about the “ordinary” astronaut
Thanks, Ann! Yes, I’ve been giving thought to that balance of staging the ordinary while grabbing attention. It almost seems at odds. But both matter, so I’m paying more attention to beginnings right now.
I love this post Charli. I find it very comforting and inspiring. Whatever catapults you into taking that first heroic step out of the ordinary into the extraordinary must be grasped with both hands holding tightly – you know you are going to be in for a rough but exhilarating ride; and you have to hang in there knowing the road might be long and devoid of clear markings or rewards, but you also know there is nowhere else you would rather be, or could be!
Thanks, Norah! Yes, I think when you come to that point of realizing that there is nowhere else you would rather be, you’ve found the elixir.
What a wonderful and insightful post! It does take a certain kind of courage to step out of that comfort zone and I think that’s what makes the hero’s journey resonate well with us. He’s just an ordinary guy, living an ordinary life who suddenly finds himself having to rise to the challenge.
Thank you! We all know that courage–sometimes it’s just getting up in the morning! And yes, I think that’s why the hero’s journey resonates with us. We dream of big epics, but really just a small step outside the ordinary and our world expands.
I found this little tidbit of writing while eating my semi-ordinary lunch at my ordinary job. As always, I drank your words while I nibbled on my salad so I could satisfy both my body and my psyche. I have loved watching your journey and always love your words. As you well know, you are my inspiration and one of these days, I will do more than watch YOUR journey- maybe I’ll even be able to write about it. Maybe.
You did just write about it! Come play flash, come on…you know you want to! You can write, you can! You’re so clever and giggly-witty and full of compassionate deep thoughts! You’ve been on this journey with me a LONG time! I’d have given up, sniveling along the way if not for your encouragement! God gave Todd a sister, knowing I would need one! Love you!
I thought of a flash idea for the last topic, but maybe it will apply to the next one and I’ll try it. I’ll have to get some starter fluid for the brain to get it sparking again. I need to visit here more often- will do when I get off the merry-go-round ordinary life I live. Give me til June and get out the elbow nudger if I’m not back in the game. I am the lucky one- I got you. Love you back!
Keep that starter fluid flowing!