The Writers Bureau

This fun and exciting workshop will show you how to use the age old Hero's Journey framework for your own stories. This device can be used for stories as everyday or fantastical as you like. We’ll be referencing the films Star Wars Episode IV – a New Hope and The King's Speach to illustrate the 12 steps the hero passes through.

In the sessions, you’ll look at the theory behind the Hero’s Journey, the people who brought it to the attention of writers and academics, as well as working in a group to create an adventure together. You’ll also be tasked to develop your own material in-between sessions. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and share your ideas.

This workshop is suitable for writers who want to develop their story writing skills, including beginners.

NB The Hero’s Journey is an ancient structure of narrative that generally results in ‘feel-good’ stories of healing and renewal. The protagonists of these tales typically defeat their personal demons, protect the weak and innocent, and/or stand up to tyranny. Think Erin Brokovich; The King’s Speech; Educating Rita …etc. It is very popular with makers of fiction for younger audiences; The Lion King, Mulan, and, Star Wars A New Hope are all Hero’s Journeys. So, if tales of hope are not your thing; if you tend toward tragedy and the darker side of life in your own storytelling, you may prefer our Places, People and the Three Act Plot workshop, which also deals with plot structure, but does not necessarily lead to a happy ending.

Workshop Structure

Each session will be divided into two. The first half is where you’ll look at the history and background of the Hero’s Journey and how it is used in modern day storytelling. There will be a five minute break so you can refresh your drink and take a little walk round. The second half is where you’ll work together as a group to create a story. In-between sessions you can work on your own story and share your ideas with the group the following week.

Week 1: – The Ordinary World
Part 1 – You’ll learn about Joseph Campbell, the origins of the Hero’s Journey and the 12 steps the hero takes through the story. You’ll examine the traditional hero, the modern hero and the world the hero inhabits.
Part 2 – You will work together as a group, guided by Phil, to develop a world in which your story can take place and identify an issue to challenge a hero.

Week 2: – The Hero
Part 1 – In this session you’ll find out about Christopher Vogler, who he is, what he did, and the impact he had on the American film industry. Next, you’ll share the world and issue you worked on for your own story.
Part 2 – Working together you’ll help create a protagonist for the group’s story.

Week 3: – The First Four Steps and the Mentor (in the Ordinary World)
Part 1 – You’ll kick off this session by discussing the new character you have created for your own story. You’ll then look at the first four steps the hero goes through, and examine the role of the mentor.
Part 2 – You’ll start to turn theory into practice by creating the first four steps of group’s story.

Week 4: – The Special World Part One (and the next three steps)
Part 1 – You’ll start by briefly going over last week’s homework – presenting the first four steps and the mentor in your own story. From there, you start to look at the nature of the Special World and steps five through to seven of the Hero’s Journey.
Part 2 – Together you’ll create the the Special World and take the group’s hero through the next steps in the class’s story.

Week 5: – The Special World Part Two (and the next three steps)
Part 1 – You’ll start by going over the brief descriptions of the Special Worlds in each participants story. From there, you start to look at the history of the Ordeal and the Road Back. The you look at steps eight to ten of The Hero's journey
Part 2 – Together you’ll take the group’s hero through the next steps in the class’s story.

Week 6: – The Return (the final three steps)
Part 1 – After going over last week’s homework you’ll examine the return to the normal world and the transformation of the hero.
Part 2 – The group’s story will be brought to a close as you work through steps eleven and twelve.

Once the workshop has finished, you will have two weeks in which to send in your story plan for Phil to review.