The Hero Is You

August 15, 2016
Drawing from the mythological archetypes of Joseph Campbell, who theorized that many stories follow the universal plot arc of the “hero’s journey,” Levin (Arrested Development Mad Libs) has designed an extensive writing-as-therapy tool for writers. The premise of Levin’s therapeutic process: being a writer and working on a project is similar to being Campbell’s archetypal hero. Inspired by this conceit, Levin has expanded it into a self-analysis study for writers. To help readers tackle different writing difficulties, self-examination questions appear in each chapter ; these include “what do certain fantasies offer you that you aren’t getting in your real life?” and “what will happen if you continue to write nothing?” Though these questions might be apt, they also evoke a too-long psychotherapy session, and are too numerous for readers to tackle many of them in depth. Books about writing often devote ample space to becoming published, but Levin chooses to focus squarely on helping her readers establish a productive routine. Sprinkled throughout are personal accounts of writers who followed the “hero’s journey” model with success. Levin’s myth-inspired strategy should prove inspiring for first-time writers.

July 1, 2016

The goal of certified life coach Levin's book is to aid writers in developing a deeper understanding of story structure, a grasp of the archetypes that make up a hero's journey, and a composition process that will help them feel more in tune with themselves and their voice. Levin guides readers through the labyrinth of the creative endeavor known as the "hero's journey"--a quest for identity and wholeness. Guidelines require writers to ask questions, explore their vulnerabilities, and seek mentors. Exercises and quizzes move authors toward self-examination. VERDICT This guide would serve as a valuable text for writers' groups or beginning classes on the craft.

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