It’s Day 16!
It really does feel like January moving fast, partly because I’ve been spending so much time emailing you and talking through your stories, which I absolutely love. A lot of you are starting to hit that click moment now, or you’re right on the edge of it.
If you’re not there yet, that’s completely normal. Feeling stuck, confused, unsure whether you’re “doing this right,” or wondering what on earth I was talking about in the video is all part of the process.
If that’s you right now, remember what we talked about on Day 10: give your brain some space. Step away. Do something mundane. Trust that things are still working in the background. The clarity does come…and when it does, it’s incredibly satisfying.
I also want to say welcome back to those of you who dropped off for a couple of days and are now catching up. Life happens. The videos will be up for at least a few months. And if you’re behind and I miss your comments, you’re always welcome to email me directly and ask for feedback.
Okay…let’s get into today’s lesson.
Yesterday we talked about tests and trials: the situations, problems, and pressures you put your Hero into to move the story forward. Today we’re staying in Act 2, but we’re shifting focus to the people around your Hero.
Today is about allies.
What allies actually do in a story
Allies are not just “nice” characters or helpers. Their real job is to act as mirrors for the Hero.
An ally reflects something back to the Hero that helps us, as readers, see the Hero more clearly. That reflection might show:
who the Hero thinks they are,
who the Hero is afraid of becoming,
or who the Hero could be if they changed.
This reflection doesn’t always come through kind words or encouragement, though. Sometimes it comes through disagreement, friction, disappointment, or even quiet contrast in how the ally behaves.
When you’re thinking about allies, ask yourself:
What belief of my Hero does this character keep bumping into?
What truth does this character expose—intentionally or unintentionally?
Allies and want vs need
Some allies reinforce the Hero’s want.
They agree with the Hero’s flawed worldview, justify their behaviour, or make staying the same feel safer. These characters often feel supportive—especially early on—but they quietly delay change.
Other allies point toward the Hero’s need.
They challenge assumptions, create discomfort, or model a way of being the Hero isn’t ready to accept yet. These allies often frustrate the Hero, because they apply pressure before the Hero wants to change.
Both types are important.
A helpful test is this:
If your Hero fully listened to this character right now, would the story end early?
If yes, that ally is pointing toward the need.
Allies vs Mentors (don’t mix them up)
Remember: the mentor helps the Hero cross the threshold.
The ally helps the Hero survive the journey.
Mentors tend to appear early, offer tools or clarity, and then step back. Allies walk alongside the Hero through act two. They come and go, but they’re embedded in the story’s ongoing conflict.
If a character mostly explains things, they’re probably a mentor. If they’re present when things go wrong, they’re probably an ally.
Support systems (not always people)
You may also have support systems in your story. These aren’t characters who travel with the Hero, but emotional anchors that stabilise or destabilise them.
Support systems can be:
an object,
a memory,
a belief,
a place,
a habit,
or even the voice of someone who isn’t physically present.
These often show us internal change very subtly. An object that once comforted the Hero might later feel inadequate. A belief that once kept them safe might become a trap.
Ask yourself:
Does this support system pull the Hero toward the want or the need?
Does its meaning change over the course of the story?
Allies should complicate things
Good allies are not neutral. They should make decisions harder, not easier.
They might:
disagree with the Hero,
withhold information,
need something at the wrong moment,
benefit from the Hero staying the same,
or be harmed by the Hero’s flaw.
They should also have their own flaws, limits, and wants. No one in a story should exist purely to be “right.”
Always bring it back to the Hero’s core flaw:
Does this ally enable it?
Challenge it?
Suffer because of it?
Benefit from it?
Your task for today
In the comments, name 1 to 3 allies in your story.
That’s it for the basic task.
If you want to go a step further, tell me:
what each ally reflects back to the Hero, and
whether they reinforce the Hero’s want or push toward the hero’s need.
Reflection question
Here’s today’s reflection question, designed to get you thinking like a writer:
Which ally in your story makes it harder for your Hero to change…and why?
You don’t need to put this into your book. Just thinking it through will deepen the emotional logic of your story.
That’s it for today. This is a really rich, fun part of storytelling, so take your time with it. Think about your supporting cast, how they mirror your Hero, how they help or hinder change, and what tensions they introduce just by existing in the story.
I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 17!
Have fun!
Xx Shelly
