Emerson Worst About Patterns

Emerson Worst About Patterns

April 22nd, 2026
    
    Ever since we've read "The Hero With a Thousand Faces," I can't help but look everywhere for certain patterns and tropes. Some have been obvious, such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, however I have seen examples of these journeys in other stories that are not so obvious. And of course, looking for patterns has made me think about them. And with that, I wonder if when authors write, if they really think about the patterns, or if they just emerge? Patterns are there, and of course they are recognizable, but when making something, is the pattern in mind, or is it simply subconscious? I have been thinking about this because it has plagued my mind and my ideas of being an author. I can't deny that knowing patterns is helpful to make writing more relatable and more realistic, but with patterns clouding everything, it is easy to judge one's own writing with all of these patterns in mind.
    It can feel easy to believe that you're doing something wrong when you don't follow the pattern, but at the same time, diverging from it feels freeing. Perhaps when reading "The Hero With a Thousand Faces," we should think about how these patterns are malleable, and not bound to any set rules. Yes, they can have similar elements, but it should not be the ground rules, only examples. It shouldn't be read like it's a universal theme, but rather, something underlying that connects many stories we read and write.

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