If you’re looking for a clear, beginner-friendly hero’s journey template you can fill out for your own fantasy novel, you’re in the right place.
Below, you’ll find a blank hero’s journey template (Excel + Google Sheets), a breakdown of all 12 hero’s journey steps, and a simple hero’s journey circle infographic for writers who prefer a visual layout.
Whether you're outlining an epic fantasy adventure or tightening your character arc, this free hero's journey template gives you a roadmap instead of a blank page.
Download the free Hero's Journey template
A fillable, blank hero’s journey template with prompts for all 12 stages.
It's compatible with both Excel and Google Sheets.
→ Download the Hero’s Journey Template (Free)
What is the hero's journey?
The Hero’s Journey is a storytelling structure made famous by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
It’s built around a universal pattern: a hero leaves their familiar world, faces escalating challenges, transforms, and returns changed.
Think Harry leaving the Dursleys and stepping into the wizarding world in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
His path hits every major stage of the hero's journey: ordinary world → call to adventure → mentors, allies, enemies → ordeal → transformation.
This structure resonates because it mirrors real human growth. And for fantasy writers, it’s a shortcut to creating stories that feel meaningful and emotionally complete.
The 12 hero's journey stages (explained with Harry Potter)
Let’s break down the stages of the hero’s journey and see how they apply to Frodo’s quest in The Fellowship of the Ring.
1. Ordinary world
The hero starts in their regular, everyday life, often dull or restrictive. This stage establishes their world, relationships, and what’s missing in their life.
-
Tip: Show what’s missing or unsatisfying in the hero’s life to make their need for change feel compelling.
Example: Harry lives a lonely, neglected life with the Dursleys, forced to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs and treated as an inconvenience. What’s missing is clear: belonging, love, and any sense of identity or self-worth. His world is small and oppressive, the exact opposite of the magical destiny waiting for him.
2. Call to adventure
Something disrupts the hero’s ordinary life, presenting them with a challenge or opportunity they can’t ignore.
-
Tip: The call should introduce high stakes and make it clear why the hero must act.
Example: Letters from Hogwarts flood the house, revealing that Harry is a wizard and is wanted for something extraordinary.
3. Refusal of the call
The hero hesitates, fearing the unknown or doubting their ability to face the challenge.
-
Tip: Use this stage to showcase the hero’s vulnerabilities or fears, making their eventual acceptance more meaningful.
Example: Harry doesn’t refuse out of fear. The Dursleys physically prevent him from reading his letters and try to isolate him even further. His hesitation is more about disbelief (“Me? A wizard?”).
4. Meeting the mentor
The hero encounters a mentor who provides guidance, tools, or encouragement to help them embark on their journey.
-
Tip: The mentor should empower the hero but not overshadow them—the hero must ultimately face the journey alone.
Example: Hagrid bursts into the hut on the rock, explains Harry’s true identity, and brings him into the wizarding world. He acts as protector, guide, and emotional anchor.
5. Crossing the threshold
The hero leaves their familiar world and enters the unknown, committing fully to the adventure.
-
Tip: This moment should feel transformative—there’s no turning back.
Example: Harry boards the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾, leaving the Dursleys behind and entering the magical world for real.
6. Tests, allies, and enemies
The hero faces challenges, forms alliances, and encounters enemies, all of which help them grow and prepare for the ultimate ordeal.
-
Tip: Create subplots with allies and foes to deepen your story and keep the stakes high.
Example: Harry befriends Ron and Hermione, encounters Draco Malfoy, learns magic, and overcomes obstacles like trolls, Quidditch challenges, and suspicious teachers.
7. Approach to the inmost cave
The hero nears the heart of their journey, facing their fears and preparing for the greatest challenge ahead.
-
Tip: Build tension and suspense to make this stage a true turning point.
Example: Harry, Ron, and Hermione realize someone is trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone. Clues point toward Snape (incorrectly), and they prepare to stop the theft.
8. Ordeal
The hero faces their greatest challenge or darkest moment, often emerging changed in some way.
-
Tip: The ordeal should feel like a life-or-death situation, pushing the hero to their limits.
Example: Harry passes through the series of magical protections and ultimately confronts Professor Quirrell/Voldemort. It’s his most dangerous moment, and he must face it without his mentors.
9. Reward (seizing the sword)
The hero achieves their goal or gains something valuable, but often at a significant cost.
-
Tip: Make the reward meaningful and impactful—it should signify progress but come with consequences.
Example: Harry prevents Voldemort from returning and protects the Stone. His “reward” is survival, knowledge of his own bravery, and proof that he belongs in the wizarding world.
10. The road back
The hero begins their return journey, but challenges still remain as they transition back to the ordinary world.
-
Tip: Show how the hero’s transformation influences their decisions and relationships.
Example: Harry wakes up in the hospital wing and learns the aftermath of his ordeal (i.e., what happened to the Stone, Quirrell, and Voldemort).
11. Resurrection
The hero faces a final, climactic test that solidifies their transformation.
-
Tip: This stage should demonstrate how the hero has changed and what they’ve learned.
Example: Harry’s bravery is publicly acknowledged at the House Cup ceremony, where Gryffindor wins because of his choices. Harry is no longer the boy in the cupboard. He’s someone seen, valued, and celebrated.
12. Return with the elixir
The hero returns to their world with newfound wisdom, power, or peace to share with others.
-
Tip: The elixir doesn’t have to be physical. It can be emotional growth or a new perspective.
Example: Harry goes back to the Dursleys for the summer, but he returns as a different person: confident, loved, and connected to a world where he truly belongs.
Grab your free hero's journey template
Hero’s Journey Circle (Dan Harmon’s Story Circle)
Some writers prefer a circular version of the Hero’s Journey, often called the Story Circle, created by Dan Harmon. It’s inspired by Campbell’s structure but condenses the arc into eight steps arranged around a circle, a visual reminder that the hero ends where they started (aka transformed).
The 8-step hero's journey story circle:
Frequently asked questions about the hero’s journey
Can I skip stages in the hero's journey?
Yes, you can! The hero's journey is a flexible framework, not a rigid checklist. While hitting the major stages often creates a satisfying narrative arc, you can skip or combine certain stages if it serves your story better. Just ensure your plot feels cohesive and emotionally complete.
Does the hero’s journey work for ensemble casts?
Definitely. For ensemble stories, you can adapt the hero’s journey by focusing on one central character whose arc drives the plot, or you can distribute the stages across multiple characters. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s journey takes center stage, but characters like Aragorn, Sam, and Gandalf each experience smaller arcs that enrich the overall story.
How do I avoid clichés when using the hero's journey?
The key is to focus on what makes your hero and story unique. Subvert expectations by reimagining traditional stages. For instance, the mentor might have their own agenda, or the final reward might come with unexpected consequences. Incorporating personal or cultural elements specific to your world can also make the journey feel fresh and original.
:%20Step-by-Step%20Story%20Arc){kind=link}