The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. — Joseph Campbell In this transformative four-week writing workshop, we will use the universal framework of the Hero’s & Heroine’s Journey to unlock the structural secrets of compelling narrative. We go beyond formula to explore how this blueprint shapes stories of transformation and change. We will bring the Monomyth to life by viewing its stages through the lens of an art exhibition, examining illustrated myths and stories using classical paintings, prints, sculpture, and iconic movie stills from Star Wars. The 4-Week Mythic Map This class applies the heroic structure through diverse narrative studies: Week 1: The Epic Founder. We begin with the foundational myth: Homer’s Odyssey. Week 2: The Forest and the Fear. We explore the framework through Russian and German Fairy Tales, focusing on female protagonists. Week 3: The Trickster’s Call. We study an international perspective with a Tlingit Origin Myth, examining the journey through the unconventional protagonist, Raven. Week 4: The Wrong Kind of Hero. We conclude by analyzing the ultimate complication: heroes whose journey leads to tragedy, studying Oedipus alongside Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. You will learn to apply these timeless archetypes directly to your work-in-progress, ensuring your plot is structurally sound and your character’s emotional journey is profound. This class is ideal for writers of fiction or screenplay looking to infuse their work with mythic power and universal resonance. The Writer’s Journey Map Your Story: The Hero’s and Heroine’s Journey Through Art and Myth “The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know.” — Joseph Campbell Ready to write stories that resonate across time? In this 4-week workshop, we reveal the universal structure of powerful storytelling (The Hero’s and Heroine’s Journey) using visual illustrations and storytelling. We explore this framework through diverse global narratives, illustrating every step with classical paintings, sculpture, prints, and iconic movie stills from Star Wars. You will study the journeys of: Homer’s Odyssey (The Epic Founder) Complex female protagonists from Russian and German Fairy Tales (The Forest and the Fear) The unconventional journey of the Raven from Tlingit Origin Myth (The Trickster’s Call) The tragic flaws of heroes like Oedipus and Luke Skywalker (The Wrong Kind of Hero) Learn how these mythic structures inform your own manuscript. Perfect your plot, deepen your characters, and discover the true power of the Monomyth. Four Sessions – Mondays, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26 & 2/2 (1-3 p.m.) ZOOM (LIVE) San Diego Writers, Ink on Facebook / Instagram
