Maybe your protagonist is an international spy. His days are rarely boring since he’s always hopping a plane to a dangerous spot on the other side of the world.
Or not.
For most of us? Our protagonists are fairly ordinary people—like we are. But something extraordinary happens to them, pulling them out of their routine.
The moment when the story really starts has been called the “Call to Adventure” in the hero’s journey, as detailed by author Joseph Campbell.
In my books? My characters are just minding their own business when they discover a dead body.
There are many other calls that form the genesis of stories.
Protagonists:
Are confronted with a challenge—he must go on a dangerous trek to destroy an evil ring in a fiery volcano.
Are put in an extraordinary situation. This could be a plane crash, a sinking ship, a devastating natural disaster or a devastating manmade disaster (war, terrorism, etc.) A group of British schoolboys try to survive on an island after their plane is shot down during World War II. Or…a girl discovers a magical wardrobe is the gateway to another world.
Are asked for help. A Harvard professor gets an emergency phone call in the middle of the night. The curator of the Louvre has been murdered. Can he help solve a mysterious cipher?
Are on a quest for a treasure. Can Charlie find the golden ticket? Can he survive the tour of the factory to obtain a greater prize?
Meet their soul mate…the call of their heart. But the journey to a relationship is a rocky one. Twilight, anyone?
Realize their dream—and follow it. A girl realizes she wants nothing more than to return home. She embarks on a remarkable journey, encountering dangerous obstacles along the way.
The protagonist makes a decision—do they answer this call? Are they reluctant to accept? Are they dutiful, eager, terrified? Their reactions to the call help introduce the reader to the character.
Calls to Adventure usually come fairly early in a book. As a reader, I like knowing what direction the story is heading in—the sooner, the better.
Has your protagonist heard a call? How did he or she answer it?
Elizabeth – What an interesting way to think about how the protagonist gets involved in a story – a “call to adventure.” In my protag’s case, he’s just a naturally curious person, so maybe that “counts” as being on a quest (well, an intellectual one ; ) ). He gets asked for help, too. This is really good stuff to think about!
It’s all about getting them out of their comfort zone, isn’t it. :-)
The call to adventure is crucial, isn’t it? It’s that mandatory “thing that happens” to our characters that stops them lounging around the house doing very little.
How our characters respond to the “call” is where the fun begins, esp. those who don’t particularly want to be “called” anywhere.
Love this- because my protag finally answered it! After sixteen chapters she is stepping into her Big Girl britches and getting down to business.
I love this new spin on protagonists’ motivation, Elizabeth. In both of my manuscripts my protagonists get their call to adventure from needing to help a loved one. Lucy Beam, in “Cream with Your Coffin” springs into action because her only friend in the whole town is accused of murder. In my 1954 Paris-based “De Rigueur Mortis” Amelia Erickson takes an undercover job as an au-pair because she needs to find out what happened to her brother in WWII France. Elizabeth, I loved your Myrtle Clover in Pretty Is as Pretty Dies. What would you say is her call to adventure?
I love the call to adventure. Books make so many things possible! In the WIP I’m working on, my protagonist is about to hear her call to adventure – in the form of a flyer posted on a library bulletin board. She doesn’t know it yet, but this will completely change her life forever. Thanks for the interesting post!
So much to learn! I did use your post on “looking at all angles”! Thanks!
My poor protagonist doesn’t answer the ‘call to adventure’ the adventure drops on his doorstep. He thought he was attending a birthday celebration for his old friend. Oh well.
My books are a little more ‘slice of life’ (as my husband affectionately calls it) so the call to adventure is not as strong. But things happen that set their lives in a new, unplanned course. Sometimes it’s several things – Mike’s new job takes him far across the country where he has to deal with a new life, a relationship that forces him to deal with his past, and changes in his friends’ lives that he must accept. (Sounds like I threw a lot at that poor guy, didn’t I?)
I like that phrasing. My character becomes a fighter pilot and is off to war.
Hi! Just lurking through the Blogosphere… LOL!
Thanks for all your examples. It helps to be able to see it in books that most of us have read. If you analyze your favorite books, you’ll most likely find they have this quest or call to adventure structure.
Helen
Straight From Hel
My character gets pulled into adventure, but it’s better that way sometimes think because it allows the reader to think, I can do that too.
ann
In my current WIP my protagonist is in a pickle from the get go. Her past is catching up with her, with a vengence.
I like the term call to adventure. Interesting post.
L. Diane–He’s got a LOT on his plate! His new job may represent a call, in that case. The start of a new life.
Margot–I think his expertise will probably get him plenty of requests for help! And his contacts with the police.
Alex–Now that really IS a call.
Crystal Clear–You can just lurk away, girl! :) I’ve lurked lately, too.
Helen–And it’s the structure of most narratives through history–we have Beowulf, the Greek myths, the Odyssey, etc.
Ann–Exactly! Makes the reader identify with the protagonist. They’re ‘just like us.’ Except this murder just HAPPENED to occur in their vicinity. :)
Terry–We’ve got to keep those characters uncomfortable!
M.J.–You’re so right. Otherwise, my characters would be watching soap operas all day. Got to have something to shake things up a bit. My 2 protagonists react to the ‘call’ very differently.
Tamika–And you know, I think most of us would hesitate when we get the call. We’re cautious people, most of us…and like thinking things out. But it doesn’t fly so well in a book! I love that she’s getting her big-girl britches on! :)
Bobbi–I think that’s an extremely realistic call. Women always want to help out their friends in times of trouble, so you’ll have sympathetic and interested readers right away with that hook.
Myrtle’s call is usually a dead body. :) She’s an adventure-loving soul, following her dream of independence and respect–despite her advanced years. I’m so glad you enjoyed “Pretty!” :)
Elizabeth–Pasts have a way of doing that, don’t they? Good thing mine is a boring past. :)
Julie–I love that idea. Something so small–the intervention of fate–taking part in changing someone’s life.
Judy–I’m glad it worked out. :)
Elspeth–So it’s the birthday party from hell? :) Sounds like fun.
Always appreciate the way you disect and explain the different elements of mystery writing.
Marvin D Wilson
Well, in my current work, it’s not so much a call to adventure, as a call for the protagonist to extricate himself from the complications his previous “adventures” have created. In media res, and all that–meeting the character after the adventure bit is over and he has to deal with the consequences.
Thanks, Marvin. :)
Simon–Hmm…so he’s had a different kind of call–to clean himself up. Good for him! Sounds like a good concept.
They have to say “yes!” to the call to adventure or else there won’t be a story…Of course, I tend to go for “protagonist put in an extraordinary situation against their will” so they don’t get a chance to say “no”, just in case they were thinking about doing that to me.
Your blog posts are quickly becoming one of my ‘must read’ stops in the blogosphere, especially as I’m currently in the middle of writing my first mystery!
Suzanne–Thanks! And good luck with your new mystery.
Thank you for stopping by my blog, Elizabeth! And you’re right, I hope I can combine the dream with reality!