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Katniss Everdeen’s journey in The Hunger Games is a perfect example of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Readers can feel her character transformation through each step she goes through and everything she’s faced with. Follow along as a breakdown down Katniss’s journey step-by-step through the Hero’s Journey. What is The Hero’s Journey? The Hero’s Journey (also called the monomyth) was popularized by Joseph Campbell. He was a mythologist who believed stories share a common structure. Writers can use this structure as a great guide to plan their own stories. The steps are: Katniss’s Hero Journey A Sad Reality (The Ordinary World) We see straight away how sad of a world Katniss lives in. It’s stark, it’s hopeless. Katniss must fight through despair and grief to provide for her family. The only battle is one of survival (which is ironic considering she is soon thrust straight into a new, more intense battle for survival). A Sad Reality Turns Sadder (The Call to Adventure) The only people Katniss cares about are her mother and sister, and her friend Gale. When Primrose is picked to enter certain death, Katniss does the only thing she knows to do: provide for and keep her family safe. She sacrifices herself, sparing her sister from a nightmare. Katniss Trusts No One (Refusal of the Call) Katniss is taken from everything she’s known to a place that seems like a fever dream. She meets extravagant people in an overzealous place, and she finds herself distrustful of everyone. (After all, these people are sending her to fight to the death.) She meets her survival partner, Peeta, a boy she is, of course, reluctant to trust. A Rough Mentor (Meeting the Mentor) Katniss meets the person who will teach her everything she needs to know to survive in the arena: Haymitch, who appears to be a drunken mess of a survivor. She finds through his flaws, he is experienced, and he is her only hope of seeing her family again. Trapped in the Arena (Crossing the Threshold) Finally, Katniss meets her fate. She stands in a glass tube, and silence surrounds her as she’s lifted to the surface. She’s in a cage now with kids who need to kill her to survive themselves, and the timer counts down. Suddenly, the countdown ends, and chaos erupts. Few Are Better Than One (Tests, Allies, and Enemies) Katniss finds herself with many enemies in the arena. The Career, a group of intimidating kids, face off against Katniss. She finds allies in Peeta and Rue. She is forced to kill and watch others be killed. Katniss is tested physically and mentally throughout the game numerous times. A Bleak Reality (Approach to the Inmost Cave) Katniss’s breaking point comes when she must grieve Rue. Her focus becomes less on surviving the games and more on rebellion against the Capitol. This is the first time, too, that the rest of Panem begins to see Katniss as a symbol. Katniss’s Last Stand (The Ordeal) Against all odds, Katniss has made it to the end of the games. It’s just her and Peeta, but only one can win. Peeta insists that it’s Katniss who should win. But, Katniss is done playing the Capitol’s game, and she makes a revolutionary act—one of grave risk, but that is ultimately a choice she is able to make. This is Katniss’s lowest point, but it sets a wave of revolution and hope through the streets of Panem. So, she and Peeta decide to poison themselves. She Stands Victorious (The Reward) The Capitol folds under Katniss’s threat, and she and Peeta are victorious. Then, Katniss and Peeta are announced winners of the Hunger Games and leave the arena. Katniss has survived, yes, but she is not the same person. Now, life as she knew it will never be again. Her Journey Has Only Just Begun (The Road Back) The Capitol has now set its sights on Katniss: the girl who outsmarted them. She is feared by the Capitol, but seen as a symbol of hope by the citizens of Panem. So, she must also live with what she faced and deal with the threat of the Capitol. Katniss is a Mockingjay (The Resurrection) Katniss had no plans on becoming a symbol for the districts, but her actions led her to become one. The districts now know the Capitol can be beaten, and they rely on Katniss to guide them. Katniss struggles with this sudden shift as she only wanted to return home to her family and to continue to protect them. However, for Katniss, she has to face that reality will never exist again. An Elixir of Hope (Return with the Elixir) Katniss didn’t return with a magic potion but with an aura of hope. This elixir might not be peace, but Katniss has brought possibility. And with that, her story only just begins. Reflection Katniss’s journey closely follows the Hero’s Journey, and is a great example to use in understanding the steps. Her story was filled with highs and lows, obstacles to overcome, and the fight to survive. Sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!

The best stories come from the most unexpected places and from the smallest ideas. And sometimes, you just need a little prompt to spark an idea so good that you fall in love with writing it. I wanted to give you some great writing prompts that can spark those stories within you. But here’s the twist: I love writing prompts, but sometimes the ideas are so vague that it feels like I’m not using a prompt at all. I wanted to give you a few detailed prompts that set up the plot and characters for you, so you can just get to writing and expanding on them. Here we go! Here are ten detailed writing prompts that blend mystery, imagination, and emotion—perfect for short stories, novels, and writing exercises. 1. The new neighbor never leaves their house—but your character sees them every night in their dreams. He was peculiar, to say the least. Not once had anyone seen him leave that decrepit house on 4th Street. Not to get food. Not to go to work. Never. His face was a mystery; no one knew what he looked like. But I could see him there, in my dreams, sitting in that house, toward the back right in the living room. An empty room with dusty wallpaper hanging from the sides. He sat in a patchwork chair, upright and still, staring out the window… Try exploring: What connects your protagonist to this neighbor—and why are their dreams the only place they meet? 2. A child claims their imaginary friend knows a terrible secret. She told me she wanted to play a game. She said if I win, she’d tell me whatever I wanted to know. I won, so I asked her why she never came outside to play with me. She said she’s stuck in the walls of this house… Try exploring: What if the secret turns out to be about the child’s own family—or the narrator? 3. A new employee at work knows everything about everyone—but no one knows them. He came in one rainy Monday morning, just as we all did. But he was new. He was different. He spoke to no one, he looked at no one. But, we asked the boss, and he said we shouldn’t ask questions, and just let him be… Try exploring: Is this person human—or something that collects secrets for another purpose? 4. Your character realizes they’re the only one who remembers a certain person. I swear she existed. She was right across the street, in that little cottage, where she lived a quiet life alone. I saw her every morning watering the flowers in front of her home. In the evening, at six on the dot, she’d come out and leave for a walk. I’d watch as she returned an hour later exactly. But one day she didn’t come out. I asked about her, but they all said that the house has been abandoned for years… Try exploring: What does it mean if everyone else forgets someone’s existence? Was she real—or erased? 5. A character learns their memories were edited. My mother sat me down on my eighteenth birthday with something important she wanted to share. She told me, straightforwardly, that at thirteen years old, I was adopted, and they decided it was best to give me better memories for a new life with them… Try exploring: Who edited the memories—and why? What truth was too painful to remember? 6. A new tattoo appears on your character each morning. July 8, 2075 I woke with a mark on my arm. It sort of looks like the outline of a car. I tried scrubbing my skin, but it won’t come off. I made a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow. July 9, 2075 Another mark appeared today. I feel like I’m being pranked. It’s clear as day now; it says caution right under the car shape from yesterday. Hopefully, when I see the doctor, he will help me. July 10, 2075 He said they are tattoos? I told him that was ridiculous, I hadn’t gotten any. He rolled his eyes as he dismissed it entirely. I’m not sure what to do… Try exploring: What if each tattoo is a warning—or a countdown to something approaching? 7. The book a character decides to read is eerily similar to the events of their life. Every Saturday, I treated myself to a new book from the library. This particular Saturday, the book I picked out was The Events to Unfold by Leger Demain. The cover caught my eye because it had my favorite rollercoaster on it. As a kid, I lived by the pier and rode that coaster every weekend. As I read it, though, it felt like déjà vu… Try exploring: Is someone writing the book as your character lives it—or predicting what’s to come? 8. A café that appears in a new city every night. The first day, someone reported seeing that cabin cafe during their walk in a small park in New York. That very next day, that same cafe disappeared from New York. Instead, it was reported to be in Denmark. From there, every midnight, it moved from location to location… Try exploring: Who runs the café—and why does it travel? What happens to those who visit twice? 9. A city divided by emotion rather than class or wealth. The Joy district was filled with bright colors, the sky was always bright, and a permanent rainbow was installed. In Sorrow, rain was constant. The buildings were gray, just like everything else in the district. It’s quiet there, though, unlike in Anger, where it’s always loud and hot… Try exploring: What happens when someone crosses into a district they don’t belong to? 10. A shop sells bottled emotions. Happiness in a Bottle was the best-seller in that store, of course. The bottle glowed yellow, but the liquid was clear. I remember the first time I tried it, I promised myself only as a treat. But, like most people, that convenience was addicting. I no longer had to work for happiness, I just had to buy it… Try exploring: What’s the real cost of buying emotions—and who’s selling them in the first place? How To Use These Writing Prompts Choose the prompt that stands out the most to you and set a timer (10-30 minutes is perfect). Allow yourself to write freely as you expand on the given information. If you’re feeling stuck, use the Try Exploring questions to guide your story. Here are some more ways to use these writing prompts: Sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!

Are you someone who sees a random book that looks interesting, reads it, and then puts it on a shelf never to be seen again? There’s so much more you could be getting out of your books. Reading can be so enriching when you pair it with small, intentional habits. Some easy reading habits (like marking or tracking resonating phrases/paragraphs, keeping a list of books to read, and simple journaling) allow you to enjoy what you read by better absorbing it. Pre-Reading Habit You are more likely to want to pick up a new book if you already know which books you want to read. I like to keep a simple “To Read List” on the notes app on my phone. Anytime I’m scrolling social media and see a book that I am interested in reading, I jot down the title and author (and sometimes what about the book interested me). Since doing this, I have never found myself without something to read. Every so often, I’ll look for books on that list—normally on thriftbooks. Why I Do It I’ve found three main benefits to keeping a “To Read” list: Mark What Resonates On many of the books I own, you will find Post-it notes and page flags sticking out all over. You will find pencil underlining the words that I found most important or inspiring. Though this may not look the nicest (I try to keep the post-its on the side of the pages so when I put the books away, they aren’t visible along the top), it helps me keep track of the parts that I found the most intriguing or quotes I liked. I often revisit old books and look through the parts I marked. It’s never disappointing. I also find I retain what I read more when I’m actively marking and highlighting parts. If you’re someone who does book reviews, this is also super handy in remembering anything you want to later discuss. Why I Do It The main reasons I mark what resonates while reading are: After the Read After I finish a book, I like to track it in my reading journal. Every book I track differently—mostly based on my mood—but assuming I’m including everything I’d like to, I track: I still switch between digital and physical journals for this, as I can’t seem to settle on which I prefer. There are many pros and cons to both, but either will do to keep track of your reads. If you’re looking for a digital reading tracker, I have one available here. Why I Do It Keeping track of the books I read has been so much fun. Though I am someone who loves planning and tracking, I still think it’s beneficial for every bookworm. Especially if you do book reviews! A New Home I’m someone who loves to keep books, but I love physical books, and they can start to take up a lot of space after a while. That’s why I try to only keep my favorite books, and will donate any that I don’t feel I loved enough to keep. If you prefer ebooks or audiobooks, this obviously isn’t a problem. I love looking at all of the books that mean the most to me. I have all these different memories tied to them, and many I return to more than once. So, I finally set the book in its new home—moving from my ‘to read’ section to my bookshelf. Sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!

The stresses of the daunting task quickly ceased as my excitement for the upcoming project grew—my first NaNoWriMo. 50,000 words. 30 days. Never in my life have I written anywhere close to 50,000 words in a month, but here we are. I’m preparing for my first NaNoWriMo, and if you have found yourself with the same goal, here’s everything I’m doing to prepare. November’s still a little while off, so now is the absolute best time to start preparing. The focus of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a lot of writing > great writing. So, in the 30 days of November, the goal is to write 50,000 words! With so many words to write in such a short time, preparation is the key. In this post, I’ll share what I’ve found to be the most essential steps to prepare for your first NaNoWriMo. What is NaNoWriMo? When I first joined the writing community, I heard of this ‘NaNoWriMo’ and I had no idea what it was. And, when I found out that it involves writing 50,000 words, I didn’t think I’d ever commit to it. But, when you break it down, 50,000 words in 30 days means you need to write roughly 1,667 words a day. Of course, some days may be more, others may be less. However, 1,667 words is an attainable goal for many people. It wasn’t until I had a new idea for a novel that I actually decided to commit to NaNoWriMo, and I’m so excited! My Essential Steps To Prepare for NaNoWriMo Set Clear Writing Goals To write so much in such a short period, you need to have a plan; otherwise, you may find yourself on November 29th scrambling to write some 40,000 words because you didn’t realize the month was already over! 50,000 words is the goal—yes, but what about the other big picture goals? Try asking yourself questions to prepare, like: These goals also include smaller daily and weekly tasks to keep consistent progress. The recommended daily word goal is 1,667. I think that’s a great goal because while some days may be challenging to hit that, and some you may not write at all, there will hopefully be days where you hit your flow and write 5,000+ words. Know What You’ll Write For me, preparation is key. If you sit down to write and you don’t know what you’re even going to write, it’ll be quite difficult and time-consuming to reach your word goal. Plan enough to work on for the whole month—whether it be working on a novel, a set number of short stories, or completing prompts. Even if you’re someone who likes to write without a plan, I recommend having some notes about major plot points. The more time you spend just thinking about what to write, the more time it’ll take to reach that daily word goal. I’ve been planning as much of my upcoming novel as I can, so when November comes around, I’m ready to make a lot of progress on the first draft. Work on Building a Consistent Writing Routine Now The easier we make it for ourselves to want to write, to feel proud of what we write, and to write consistently, the easier it will be to follow through with this challenge. Try to use October to experiment with different writing times and routines and find what works best for you (What works for you may change day to day, so pick a few options.) If you’d like some ideas, I have some posts. Gather Your Resources & Find Your Community Jumping into your first NaNoWriMo blind is not ideal. The more you prepare—the more resources you gather—the easier it will be. This, along with finding a community you can turn to for advice and motivation, will set you up for success. Some Resources to Consider: How I am Preparing for My First NaNoWriMo Many of my nights lately have been spent planning characters, world history, plot points, and locations for the novel I will be working on during NaNoWriMo. I have been having such a lovely time jumping into this new world and seeing it slowly become more whole. I’ve been organizing everything using my Notion Writer’s Hub and Novel Planning templates. So far, they’ve been working wonderfully to help me stay on top of my writing preparation! Even though I’ve been enjoying planning this story, I am nervous about the daunting task of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. I’ve never written anywhere close to that in such a short time, so it’s a little intimidating! But the more I see other writers planning and preparing and sharing their own struggles, it makes it easier to push forward, knowing many other writers understand. If you’d like more behind-the-scenes of me preparing for this upcoming NaNoWriMo, I highly recommend checking out my YouTube channel, where I’ve been documenting my progress. Rest Assured First Timers! We’ve got this! NaNoWriMo is about quantity over quality, creativity over perfection, and challenging your writing muscles. It’s like preparing for a marathon: if you don’t prepare: don’t stretch your muscles, just ate a huge breakfast at a diner, and start running, you probably won’t make it far. And, even if you do, it’ll be way more challenging than it needed to be. Take the time now to set goals, know what you’re going to write, build a consistent routine, and find a community you can share your struggles with. I wish you the best of luck this November! Even though I’ve been enjoying planning this story, I am nervous about the daunting task of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!

Hi there! If you are new to this blog, you may not know that I make digital products for writers. And recently I started working on a new all-in-one Notion Writer’s Hub. I’ll be honest—I’m a little obsessed with it. I recently had a kind of random idea for a novel and thought… why not try to plan the entire thing using my custom hub? Let’s dive in! The Struggle I’ve been using a Notion novel planner I created a while back, and while it’s been super helpful, I’ve learned so much more about Notion since then. That’s why I wanted to design something bigger: a single hub that holds all my writing needs in one place. The Writer’s Hub Walkthrough Getting Started The hub comes with a little “Getting Started” section, which is perfect for first-time users. Since I already know my way around, I deleted this. Today’s Focus I’m a big believer in having specific focuses for each writing session. Without them, my goals tend to disappear from memory (honestly, if they’re not staring at me, they don’t exist). For today, my focuses were simple: Filling Out the Hub To get the most out of this setup, I needed to add some structure. Since this story idea was brand new and completely unplanned, I was starting from zero—an exciting but slightly intimidating place. Routines The hub includes example tasks for keeping a consistent writing routine, but I highly recommend tailoring them to your own process. I customized mine to fit my style and habits. Resources Next, I added a few resources to my database—things I know I’ll reference throughout the project. Having them in one place saves me from endless searching later. Project Creation Creating a new project in this hub is super easy with the built-in template. I filled in the little info I had about this story idea (it’s still very new, so don’t judge too hard). Rough Outline One of my favorite features of this hub is how connected everything is. Characters, story arcs, world-building notes, and scenes are all linked together. It means no more flipping between scattered notes or forgotten docs. If you don’t want to build this from scratch, my Writer’s Hub Template has all of this ready to go. I spent about an hour drafting a rough outline, and by the end I had a solid structure in place for this new idea. Final Thoughts I’m calling it a win! The novel outline is started, the hub is filled, and everything is neatly organized. What I love about this system is how it grows with you—each time you use it, your database expands, and the benefits of staying organized really start to shine. If you’re interested in trying it out, I’ve linked my template below. And if you’d rather DIY your own hub, hopefully this walkthrough gave you some inspiration to set up a writing space that actually works for you. Here’s to organized, inspired writing! Get the template here! Sign up for my mailing list and receive exclusive content, printables, and more!