steven pressfields novel writing guidelines from derek sivers' book notes

1. every story must have a concept

2.  every story must follow a theme

3.  every story must have a hero

4.  every story must have a villain

5. every story is in 3 parts - hook, buildup, payoff. also known as inciting incident, escalation, climax

6. every story follows the hero's journey

 - hero lives in ordinary world

- hero receives call , rejects call, finds mentor, mentor gives courage, hero accepts call

- hero crosses threshold, enters special world

- hero meets allies, enemies, undergoes ordeals which serve as initiation 

- hero confronts villain, acquires treasure

- hero takes the road back

- villain(s) pursue hero, more fight

- hero returns home with treasure, rejoins ordinary world

additional rules

- only hero's mental workings are visible

- the physical world and events is the plot

- show-don't-tell  

references : 

https://sive.rs/book/NobodyWants

https://sive.rs/book/ArtistsJourney