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This is a noncredit, online writing class through UW-Madison Continuing Studies.

The Writer's Journey Workshop

Mythic Structure for Writers

The essentials of mythic storytelling are outlined in this course with the use of Christopher Vogler’s text The Writer’s Journey. This text, based on the work of Joseph Campbell, illustrates the 12 steps of storytelling. The course is for all types of writers—novelists, short story writers, screenwriters, playwrights, and creative nonfiction writers—essentially anyone who is telling a story.

Analyze in detail the 12 steps of storytelling and apply these laurels to your own novel, script, or fiction selections. These steps bring clarity to plot construction and you discover keys to making your overall storytelling more effective. 

In 7 lessons we’ll cover:

1. Introduction to Mythic Storytelling and Archetypes
2. The Ordinary World and the Call to Adventure
3. Refusing the Call, Meeting the Mentor and Crossing the Threshold
4. The Special World
5. The Supreme Ordeal
6. The Reward, the Road Back and the Resurrection
7. The Return with the Elixir and Looking Back

Each lesson guides you through the steps as you apply and/or edit the chapters, scenes, paragraphs of your work. Your instructor provides feedback regarding the steps of your story throughout the eight lessons. The final assignment helps you create a clear 12-step outline of the story you are telling.

Throughout the course, you may discover a different way to tell your story. You may uncover and strengthen your subplots. You may also understand how to get past a roadblock. The end result is a stronger story that motivates and resonates with your audience.

The Writer’s Journey Workshop provides tools you can use for future writing projects. It is an essential element that should be a part of every writer’s toolbox.

How it works

You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It's all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. You can read and print course materials in the course Web site, which you can access at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops, and we have success stories. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you'll find them an excellent "coaching" or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own–hey, that's fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own without the feedback if you'd rather do that. We're also here throughout the year if you have questions.
 
Review the current technical requirements for students in Learn@UW online courses.

Costs

$175 for the full 7-lecture course. You will earn 1.8 CEUs. (Continuing Education Units.) Register any time.

Contact

Your contact for more information about The Writer's Journey Workshop is Laurie Scheer, 608-265-3972, lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu.

For more information about online learning contact Lori O'Neill at 608-263-6322 or toll-free 877-336-7836 or email LSAonline@dcs.wisc.edu.

How to register

Online: Register now online with our secure server.

Mail: Print and mail our registration form.

Telephone: Call 608-262-2451 or toll-free 800-725-9692 to register. Our phone is answered M-F, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Central Time. At other times please leave a message, and we will return your call.

 

Also of interest

Explore other online writing classes.

The same writing staff that bring you these great online classes also provide individualized writing critique services. Learn more by visiting our writing critique services web page.

 

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