Before I get into the seventh stage of the Heroine’s Journey, I want to apologize for not updating this series sooner. These posts take a particular amount of work and my life in the past month or so has been chaotic. But I am committed to completing this series and starting a new on in the distance future.

A recap: At stage seven, we are in the trenches of Act 2. Our heroine has crossed the threshold into the new world, fought battles, made friends and enemies, and experienced both triumph and tragedy. In Stage Six, our heroine is at a low point. Her brief moment of victory is gone and she faces one of the greatest challenges of her whole journey.

This is where Stage Seven comes in. Our heroine can only succeed and cross into Act 3 if she has support. In the book 45 Master Characters, author Victoria Lynn Schmidt states “The hero goes through her own awakening and comes out willing to accept help from others. She can’t be betrayed again because she has her own strength and self-realization that cannot be taken away from her.” This is why it is important our heroine to make friends early on in Act 2. No man is an island. She is going to need them moving forward. “There’s strength in numbers,” Schmidt writes, “and the hero realizes that it’s okay to be in a group even if it’s only with one other person who understand her.”

In The Hunger Games, Katniss receives support from her mentor Haymitch Abernathy, fellow tribute Rue, and of course, Peeta. They provide her with the tools she needs to survive. Haymitch sends her gifts at critical moments. Rue provides Katniss with companionship and a reason to fight. And Peeta, Katniss’ most constant of companions, provides her with love and a way out of the arena.

Peeta is with Katniss in Stage Seven. They fight off the mutts and other tributes together. Peeta supports Katniss’ decision to eat poisonous berries to deny the Capitol the opportunity to see them kill one another. It is with this unwavering commitment that Katniss is able to win the Hunger Games.

Next week, we will dive into Stage 8- Rebirth. We are nearing the end of the Heroine’s Journey.

Until next time, kill your darlings, slay your dragons, and keep writing.