The Hero’s Journey is a well-known and powerful storytelling tool, celebrated for its ability to resonate universally. But while it offers a strong framework, it’s not one-size-fits-all. In this class, we’ll explore why the Hero’s Journey works, and why it’s important to go beyond it for more diverse and dynamic storytelling.

We’ll delve into the Heroine’s Journey, a narrative that emphasizes collaboration and community, and explore storytelling methods from around the world, including the conflict-free structure of Japan’s Kishōtenketsu, Africa’s Circular Narratives, and non-linear storytelling found in Indigenous American traditions.

In the second half of the class, we’ll focus on practical approaches to story planning, covering Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat Writes a Novel, the 17-beat structure, and the 27-beat outline. Finally, we’ll wrap up with Pixar’s famous rules of storytelling—insights that help you craft compelling characters and emotionally rich stories, regardless of which narrative structure you choose.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a diverse set of tools to help you craft stories that suit your unique voice and engage your readers in fresh, innovative ways.

Cara J. Stevens is a writer, editor, and book coach with over 20 years in publishing. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in helping writers craft their stories across genres, offering services in developmental editing, book coaching, and creative workshops.

5:15 pm (PDT) Critique Group Round Table