The Ultimate Hero's Journey: 195 Essential Plot Stages Found in the Best Novels and Movies

by Neal Soloponte

What do STAR WARS, HARRY POTTER, and RED RIDING HOOD have all in common? Not one, not ten, but 195 things. Every great novel and movie follows a common narrative pattern known as the Hero’s Journey. In this book, for the first time at such level of detail, independent writers can have a look into the Hollywood’s manual on how to create a classic. Make no mistake about This is not just another popular take on the subject. This is it. All the 195 plot milestones found in the greatest stories of all times are outlined here—clearly, exactly, concisely. If you are writing a novel or a script, don’t run with Step into this mythical landscape and follow your favorite heroes along The Ultimate Hero’s Journey, as you discover the master structure of timeless storytelling.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2017

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I will go back to and reference again and again. It gives concrete movie examples of the many (195 according to the author) stages of the heroes journey. I am sure this will help fill in plot holes and shorten my periods of writer's block when it occurs in the future.

[Cassie Swindon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to any novelist. It would be most helpful in the action/adventure/superhero/fantasy genres (and less so in romance). The information was highly relevant, applicable, and easily understood. In the future, I will probably buy multiple copies and make notes on each page for each novel almost as a preliminary outline to follow. I like that I can mix up the order and it doesn't have to follow this exact structure. The examples from other stories even pulled from scenes within a series instead of just one novel itself.

Two complaints:

It seemed like there were too many pieces in the first act, making it too long. Or maybe all my first acts are too short.

There were a few confusing pieces of advice given such as the difference between specific side characters, which seemed like they could be condensed:

the mentor, the goddess, the herald, the random ally, the awkward innocent, the temptress, the false enemy, the oblivious innocent, the calvary arrives, the traitor. The way my characters are currently written mixes between those and not all are present. Sometimes my goddess does a task that is supposedly" meant for the mentor and vice versa.

I definitely wish I had this reference before writing my first novel. It would've made it so much better. All authors, check this out!

[Gwyn Haller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book should follow a clear understanding of Vogler's and Hauge's books and teachings. These 195 stages (approximately 3 stages for 1 SCENE in a 60 scene book).
The 195 stages in this book will make writing a resplendent, satisfying, successful outline and book much easier, with the caveat: The Understanding of the Hero's Journey must be already present in the purchaser's writing skill set.
I would strongly recommend understanding Christopher Vogler's work (Cambells) in his book and then, buy Neal Soloponte's book of 195 essential plot stages to write your outline or story.
Yes, this book is pure gold for fiction writers.

[Prashant Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant tool

Loved reading the book and it was very useful. I will read the book again, maybe after watching all the movies that the book has used as case studies.

[Morigan Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for any writer

I think many writers don't follow all 195 stages of the hero's journey, and that's okay, even those who don't should add this to their bookshelf. As a former "pantser" I can tell you, the hero's journey can help tremendously if a story seems to stall or you write yourself into a corner. (It happens lol)

[Rich Sobolewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the clearest point-by-point examination of The Hero's Journey. A good start for an aspiring writer seeking to better understand novel plot structure.

[Madhur Parashar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This book will make you not only a better writer (if that's what you're trying to achieve) but also a better literary critic, a more sophisticated movie reviewer, and a more introspective person overall. That might sound like exaggerated praise but it's not. After reading through these stages I'm feeling a lot more clarity and inspiration around how to solidify the vague story that's been in my mind for ages but has never made it to a draft. It will now.

It is said that everyone's life is a hero's journey too. After reading this book I'm convinced mine is too. Several times I put down the book to reflect and realized how many calls to adventures I declined that I should have taken up, and the paths those could have led me down. I realized the current challenges I'm facing and how I could take the path of the hero and make the right moral choice. How I could set my newborn kid up on her own heroine's journey too! In summary this book has more dimensions than you would realize. It's not just a writer's tool, it's a life tool. I loved it.

[Dan Brand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the hero's journey but were too daunted to ask. Including non-protagonist story and character arcs. Best, most exhaustive book on subject I have read. I do NOT subscribe to the idea that the hero's journey is the quintessential plot template just because, with a little ingenuity, you can shoehorn most stories into it. Also, I find the HJ and its red-headed stepchild, Save the Cat 🐱, are often used in v. formulaicly. B-U-T, this really deep dive will allow authors to mix, match, and vary a HJ plot that isn't staler than Christmas turkey in February. Advise getting kindle version, as physical copies are dear.

[Carl E Stubblefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible

I’ve been writing for a while and have been looking for some tools to streamline my outlining. This book got the bill perfectly, making sure I hit those points and giving me some items to consider mid-book.

Definitely recommended

[Jody Patanjo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

Very interesting and informative. I don't see how it's practical but it wasn't a waste of time. It goes stories together from an angle I hadn't ever thought about.

[Kevin Cordle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really what i was looking for

[Laila Mahmoud · Rating 3 out of 5]

اعتقد كان هيكون خيار أفضل لو قرأت النسخة الأصلية وليس المترجمة

[James Mourgos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is interesting as a reference work nothing more really. Variations on these plots are all over Hollywood.

[Rye Sobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the clearest point-by-point examination of The Hero's Journey. A good start for an aspiring writer seeking to better understand novel plot structure.

[Paul Kriebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a companion to understanding Campbell's (and others') "Monomyth" or "Hero's Journey," this very readable and relatable book uses five (5) novel and movie examples of the 195 stages, including "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Star Wars," "The Matrix," "Sideways," and "Dodgeball" to make his point. From a plot perspective, there may be discrepancies with other story-telling approaches or methodologies - e.g., the "Save the Cat!" beat sheet. Otherwise, as a companion to other story-telling approaches, a very interesting and useful book.