Hero's Journey: Refusal of The Call

• Continue to develop my character with Step 3 in The Hero's Journey.
• Think through my character's "Refusal of the Call".
• Illustrate my ideas in creative comic/illustration format.

A Hero Refuses the Journey because of fears and insecurities that have surfaced from the Call to Adventure. The Hero is not willing to make changes, preferring the safe haven of the Ordinary World. Second thoughts or even deep personal doubts as to whether or not he/she is up to the challenge ahead.

The Refusal of the Call becomes an essential Stage that communicates the risks involved in the Journey that lies ahead. Without risks and danger or the likelihood of failure, the audience will not be compelled to be a part of the Hero’s Journey.

Although an eager or Willing Hero may skip the Refusal Stage, the Hero’s friends and allies will explain the fears and risks.

In Horror and Thriller, the frightening and forbidding nature of the "Special World" can lead the Hero to be repeatedly “called” to the Adventure that he continues to refuse. Each Call and Refusal must escalate the stakes, until the Hero has no choice but to accept the Call.

Can you think of examples?

You have your character, you know their ordinary world, you know their call to adventure. Your assignment now is to think through why your character would refuse that call to adventure.

• What are the fears that would stop them from their purpose?
• What risks are involved?
  
• Why are they denying the chance to move forward?

Create at least 4 panels/illustrations that depict this part of your character's story.

Think about layout and movement in the panels...