Let’s Start from the Beginning

Dear writer,

This week I want to talk to you about the very beginnings of a story, and I’ll ask, what do you know about The Ordinary World?

The Ordinary Word, otherwise known as the introduction of the story. The place where the character’s journey begins, usually conveying the standard lifestyle of the character.

What is involved in this stage of the book?

Well, it’s introducing characters, setting, and the most important, the protagonist’s inner conflict. The actual purpose of this stage is to show the reader the protagonist’s comfort zone, which is exactly what this stage symbolises. But within all comfort zones, as we know, there’s an element of dissatisfaction, no matter how much we say there isn’t. Psychologically, we can’t be completely satisfied within comfort because we are too curious a species. And yet most people often do stay in their comfort zones. Why? Fear. The fear of the unknown, the fear of insecurity and danger. And often times a protagonist must be dissatisfied in The Ordinary World in order for the story to drive forward.

Take Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit as an example, who interestingly enough was more than content in this Ordinary World. The Shire was painted as perfect, where its people were one with nature, without a care in the world, and contained everything the Hobbits could ever need. So, how could Bilbo be dissatisfied despite the amount of times he rejected his call to adventure? It is explained in the very first pages that Bilbo is half Took, a clan that was known for their sense of adventure, but Bilbo never acknowledged this side of himself until it was awakened by Gandalf.

The Ordinary World is also a measure of change. At the end of the journey, the hero returns to this world, and much like in The Hobbit, is never the same again. And to add to that, especially in The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Shire is a symbol of perfection, as stated above. This Ordinary World is very much a motivating force for the characters to keep going on their adventure, no matter how much they wished to give up or even accept defeat, just so they could return to it.

Not every Ordinary World needs to be a place of perfection though. If you were to look at Star Wars with Luke Skywalker on Tatooine, you would see that he hated it there and wished to leave, but was held back by his responsibilities.

So, if you’re in the early stages of your story, and wish to utilise the Hero’s Journey structure, you want to use this stage as the place where you identify the protagonist’s needs, wants, goals and beliefs to the reader. Of course, not all at once or in a straightforward way, but through your story, because by the end of it, the character won’t have the same ideas.

So, what does your Ordinary World look like?

Much love,

Elena