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What makes a hero's story

A hero's adventure can be told in nine acts.  It can also be told in fewer.  It also has the following elements (more or less) regardless of how many acts it has.

• A hero has a call to adventure with a guardian or peril at the beginning that they must overcome or persuade to enter into the adventure.
• A hero meets a guide or gains a companion who is with them through the adventure.
• The hero faces three trials and a reversal.  
• The hero then faces the great enemy.  The hero must find a way to overcome the enemy.
• The hero survives (or doesn't survive) the aftermath of defeating the enemy.
• The hero returns home bringing with him or her a key or a gift for those left behind.

There are many types of heroes.

• classic hero
• reluctant heroes
• group heroes
• loner heroes
• anti-heroes
• tragic heroes
• tricksters
• sacrificial heroes.

But what makes a hero a hero is that they accept the call to adventure and overcome perils in a manner that requires courage and sacrifice -- and in a way that benefits the community in some way.

(This is really simplified, but it is the heart of what makes a hero)

Links:  

• http://www.dsiegel.com/film/
• http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20001127/dunniway_l1.htm#1
• http://www.jcf.org/27wm.htm
• http://writerscomputer.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/store/info/writers_journey.htm?E+writers
• http://www.interink.com/~jpm/myth.html
• http://www.dailyobjectivist.com/spir.mythology.asp
• http://www.swin.edu.au/lib/melinda/mine/herojour.htm
• http://tech-head.com/story3.htm
• Heroquest Home Page!