A Journey to the Center of the Earth is a title almost everyone recognizes—even those who’ve never read it. Jules Verne’s classic novel has inspired countless adaptations, from movies to modern retellings, proving its lasting impact on literature and popular culture.
But have you ever wondered how this novel would fare if it were handed to a modern developmental editor?
In today’s publishing world, Verne might have faced a sea of red ink:
-Side quests that don’t contribute to the main plot.
-No internal arc—the characters remain largely unchanged.
-The protagonist’s minimal influence on the story’s direction.
If so much about the novel breaks today’s writing “rules,” how has it endured for centuries? Surely, I must be wrong—along with all those modern editors.
Or perhaps there’s more to this novel.
Fiction as a Three-Legged Stool: Plot, Characters, and World-Building
I often compare fiction to a three-legged stool, with the prose as the seat—the surface on which readers experience the story. The stool is held up by its three legs:
1) Plot Structure
2) Character Creation
3) World-Building
While A Journey to the Center of the Earth might lack in plot structure by modern standards, its characters and world-building are phenomenal. And during its time, the prose style—though formal and complex by today’s standards—was exactly in line with audience demands when compared to other novels of its time.
_________________________
World-Building: Making the Impossible Believable
One of Jules Verne’s greatest strengths in A Journey to the Center of the Earth is his ability to draw readers into an extraordinary world and make it feel real and plausible. Even today, when modern science has disproved the idea of a hollow Earth, Verne’s world-building still ignites the imagination.
How did he achieve this?
- Immersive Interactions, Not Infodumps
Verne never resorts to long-winded explanations or lectures. Instead, he allows the characters to interact with their surroundings, showing the reader the world through their eyes. The scientific tools, the harsh landscapes, and the wonders beneath the Earth’s surface are all woven into the narrative naturally.
When the characters explore volcanic tunnels, encounter ancient fossils, or navigate underground seas, the reader learns about this world organically, as if exploring alongside them. Verne’s approach is a masterclass in showing rather than telling—a technique all authors would do well to emulate.
2. Respecting Opposing Viewpoints
A fascinating aspect of the novel is how Verne handles opposing geological theories. The protagonist, Axel, disagrees strongly with Professor Hardwigg’s belief in a hollow Earth, and this disagreement persists throughout the novel.
What makes this approach so powerful is that the opposing viewpoint is not presented as a straw man argument. Axel is not portrayed as ignorant or misguided—his objections are valid and well-reasoned, reflecting the scientific understanding of the time.
This balanced presentation of perspectives strengthens the narrative’s credibility. By avoiding an obvious “right vs wrong” approach to the theories, Verne invites readers to explore the possibilities rather than expecting his readers to accept a predetermined truth.
3. Encouraging the Suspension of Disbelief
Because Verne doesn’t preach his own theories or force his narrative to align with one viewpoint, the reader finds it easier to suspend disbelief. Even in modern times, when we know a journey to the center of the Earth is impossible, Verne’s world-building allows us to entertain the idea with an almost childlike sense of wonder and curiosity.
This is a powerful lesson for writers. Authentic world-building isn’t about convincing readers of your reality. It’s about inviting them to explore it with you, even if only for a little while.
_________________________
Character Development: Realistic Reactions and Human Flaws
While the protagonist of A Journey to the Center of the Earth may not follow a traditional internal arc, his behavior is realistic and relatable.
The protagonist Axel flip-flops between wanting to return to the surface and feeling enthusiastic about continuing the journey. This isn’t inconsistency—it’s human nature:
-When he wants to retreat, it’s driven by fear and physical deprivation.
-When he feels excitement to go deeper, it’s because he is inspired by success.
This kind of emotional fluctuation is something many of us recognize in real life. We all know people who shift between caution and courage based on their immediate circumstances.
In addition, the characters in this novel align with Chris Behnke’s Human NEXUS profile system, which I’ve discussed in previous posts. We’ll explore this connection further in upcoming articles.
_________________________
A Lesson for Writers: Strength Overcomes Shortcomings
In my experience, authors are a paranoid lot. We constantly worry about not measuring up, about our stories falling short in some critical area.
There’s an adage in the writing community. If you write a good enough story, the reader will forgive a lot of shortcomings.
A Journey to the Center of the Earth is living proof. The plot might not hold up to modern standards, but its characters and world-building are so strong that the novel continues to inspire and captivate readers centuries later.
_________________________
Want to Craft Characters and Worlds That Stand the Test of Time?
Understanding what motivates characters, and how to use this insight to make them more relatable, can elevate your storytelling.
The Human NEXUS Profile Test is an invaluable tool for this.
🎯 Take the free test now → Human NEXUS
Learn which motivator is your strongest, and discover how to apply this knowledge to deepen your storytelling.
_________________________
📢 New Release: A Journey to the Center of the Earth at a Special Price!
I’m excited to announce the publication of my simplified and illustrated version of A Journey to the Center of the Earth! As my newest release, it is currently available at a special introductory price of $5.99.
📚 Get your copy today → Amazon
And if you missed out on the reduced price for EMMA, it’s still available at its regular price of $9.99.
_________________________
Stay Connected and Get a Free Short Story!
Join my newsletter and receive a free short story that delves into the early life of one of my fantasy novel’s main characters.
📩 Subscribe Here
And, as always, if you have topics you’d like me to cover in future articles, please reach out. I’d love to hear from you!
_________________________
Let’s Discuss!
💬 What’s your favorite example of a story that breaks modern writing “rules” but still works?
Drop a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
_________________________
Stay Connected!
🌍 Website: RebekahOlsonVentures.com
📘 Facebook: AuthorRebekahOlson
🐦 X (Twitter): @Author_R_Olson
🕊 Truth Social: @RebekahOlson