As promised in the last issue, I am back with a microscopic outlook at The Hero's Journey and the 3-Act Structure. 

They do seem similar on the surface, but each offers a distinct way to shape your message and connect with your audience. 

In this issue, I uncover their key differences, the impact on the message and your audience, and how you can choose the best one to make your stories resonate.

The Hero’s Journey

The Story

I was mugged last night at gunpoint.

I was at the bar, one of the three patrons. Sipping my 10th whiskey of the night. Drinking away at the bar top were two formidable guys. Dressed in rather funky t-shirts that read Life and Time.

Uncaringly, I downed my 10th for the night. Poured out of my booth. Paid my tab and walked down the known but dark lanes. 

15 steps in, I hear hurried footsteps. But Time seemed to slow down and I felt Life slip out of my legs.

I was kneeling with the cold muzzle of a gun, pressed against my hot and sweaty skin. 

“Out with your wallet!” Shakily, I did so, realizing there was nothing in there and I was going to die tonight.

“What do you do, Aaron Ramirez?”

“I work at the gas station.”

“Do you enjoy working there?”

I was confused!

“Answer!,” The muzzle pressed deeper into my neck

“No, I don't.”

“Do they pay you well?”

“No!”

“Do you want to quit?”

“Yes!”

“Then why haven’t you?”

I had no answer 

Why didn’t I quit?

• This was supposed to be temporary

• I wanted to work as a writing assistant

• I wanted to write

I had no justifiable answer. Another voice thundered

“What would you do if today was your last day?”

Oh God! There are two. I am going to die tonight

“Answer Aaron!” The voice was soothing but firm. The muzzle pressed even harder. This will leave a mark. Unassured, I said, “I will quit tonight.”

“And?”

“I will go back to writing.”

“What?”

I cried out more of a reaffirmation to myself

“I came here to write

I will go back to writing

I will publish my writing

I will find mentors and courses

I will intern and work in publishing houses

I will write. Let me go. Please!”

After a pause that felt like a lifetime, “Aaron, you saved yourself. Do what you said. We know where you live. We will come check on you.”

The muzzle moved. I was still paralyzed with fear.

A few mins later, I keeled over and wailed before I turned. Found my wallet without my driver's license. I slept like a baby that night

Next day, I quit my job. The same day, I started writing again

It’s been 6 years

• 2 best sellers

• 7 motion pictures

• And 100 anthologies later

None of them returned.

A brief pause later, the hall roused with adulations, cheers, and claps

“Thank you! I am Aaron Ramirez!”

This is one of my LinkedIn posts.

On the surface, it looks as if it follows the 3-Act Structure: A proper beginning, middle, and end.

But it isn’t!

Let’s find out how.

The Analysis

• The Ordinary World: Aaron's life at the gas station represents the stagnant reality he desperately wants to escape.

• The Call to Adventure: The mugging is the disruptive event, forcing him to confront his dissatisfaction.

• Refusal of the Call: The question "Why didn't I quit?" hints at his internal struggle – the fear of pursuing his dream.

• Meeting the Mentor: The muggers, though unconventional mentors, challenge him to confront his truth.

• Tests, Allies, and Enemies: Fear and self-doubt are the enemies Aaron battles, while the muggers become catalysts for change.

• The Ordeal: The emotional breakdown after the mugging is Aaron's moment of truth, the breaking point that leads to rebirth.

• Reward/Transformation: The true reward isn't just surviving, but embracing his passion for writing. Quitting his job and dedicating himself to writing is the heroic act of defiance.

• The Return: Returning to a life enriched by purpose, Aaron's success as a writer signifies the lasting impact of the journey.

3 Act Structure

The Story 

I was drowning my sorrows in whiskey at the dingy bar. I was just another cog in the machine, a gas station attendant yearning for more. 

A look around, I find 2 more weary souls.

Bottoms up. A nod to the strangers. And I stepped foot into the familiar but dark alley.

The next moments were a blur of terror: a gun shoved in my face, my wallet demanded. Then, a question cut through the fear:

"What would you do if this was your last day?"

In that terrifying instant, something snapped. I confessed – “I would write!”  

The answer seemed to hang in the air. 

"Then do it; or else we know where you live."  

They disappeared. Shaken to the core, I stumbled away. I found my wallet... untouched except for the missing driver's license.

The next morning, I marched into my boss's office and quit. 

That same day, I sat down at my computer and started to write. The words flowed like they'd been dammed up for years.

The Analysis

This story, while born from trauma, highlights overcoming external obstacles and achieving tangible success:

• Setup: Aaron’ unfulfilling life sets the stage for urgent conflict. The bar, the looming sense of danger – it all builds tension.

• Confrontation: The mugging is the central conflict, amplified by the high stakes and the life-altering question the muggers pose.

• Resolution: The escape, followed by the decision to quit, and the immediate commitment to writing provide a clear, thrilling resolution.

The Difference

How to Choose the Right Framework for Your Message

Focus on transformation: Does your story centre around these themes?

• Personal growth and overcoming internal obstacles (e.g., fear, self-doubt, limiting beliefs)

• Finding your purpose, passion, or true calling

• Major life changes fuelled by internal shifts

• Stories of resilience and personal reinvention

If so, the Hero's Journey is an excellent choice.

Highlight external triumphs: Is your story driven by these elements?

• Achieving a tangible goal or milestone (e.g., launching a business, winning a competition)

• Overcoming a specific external challenge (e.g., difficult client, project setback)

• Showcasing leadership in a crisis or high-pressure situation

• Demonstrating problem-solving skills and decisive action

If so, the 3-Act Structure will serve you well.

That’s all, folks!

The Hero's Journey and the 3-Act Structure are powerful frameworks.

Play around with them and see what sparks your creativity.

Remember these are guidelines, not strict rules! Sometimes, a story can blend elements of both frameworks. 

In the next issue, I pick a LinkedIn post that does storytelling very well, analyze it and show you the ingredients that make it work.

Loved this issue? Hit reply with a YES and let me know. Your insights help shape future content.