Call to Adventure - The Author's Journey

“The Call to Adventure establishes the stakes of the game, and makes clear the hero’s goal: to win the treasure or the lover, to get revenge or right a wrong, to achieve a dream, confront a challenge or change a life.”

—Christopher Vogler, The Writer’s Journey

The Call to Adventure is the start of any Heroic quest, such as writing, publishing and marketing your non-fiction book.  Most often, it comes from deep within you.  The Call emerges from the part of you that has been buried, suppressed and ignored for too long.  One day it sends you a message via your unconscious mind.  It may be something significant in a dream.  On the other hand, it could be an unexpected emotional outburst.  Alternatively, it could be a gradual call, such as the slow realization about an injustice that is being done.  Similarly, you start wondering if there is more to life than you are currently experiencing.

Furthermore, Calls to Adventure come from unexpected events outside of your control.  For instance, you may lose your job, have an accident, or bad news about your health.  Other examples could be something being stolen from you, or being caught up in a natural or man-made disaster.

Heralds Present Calls to the Adventure

In some instances, a herald presents you with a call to adventure, such as pursuing a writing venture.  Perhaps they issue a challenge to you.   Maybe they announce the approach of major change.  Or they warn you of danger ahead if you keep ignoring your desire to write and publish a non-fiction book.

Furthermore, heralds may be a family member or friend who is encourages you to write.  Likewise, the herald could be a complete stranger who stirs something within you.  On the other hand, they could be an authority figure or expert who motivates you into action.

Do Not Ignore the Call to Adventure

In conclusion, as the Hero of Your Life Story, you are best place to choose to answer the Call to Adventure.  Most importantly, do not ignore it (often as a result of letting our fears drive us).  Almost certainly when you do, your refusal will be at your peril.  For the reason that your inner creator will cause you to have negative emotions or regrets about never starting.  Consequently, your reluctance to answer the Call to the Writing Journey runs the risk of something major forcing you into action.

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Note: this article’s focus was for an earlier version of KESWiN Academy that mentored members through the non-fiction book writing, publishing, and marketing journey. We still do offer this service to members. However, as from 2026 our mission is more focused on personal growth and self-actualisation which has similar heroic calls to adventure as the authorship journey does. So whether you want to write a non-fiction book, or have some other big goal to discover, clarify, enhance and share your hidden treasure, we may be a good fit for you. If you feel this is the case, click here to learn more about KESWiN Academy and our membership.