Course info

Learn advanced story writing structure and the steps of putting a story together-- and get to know all of the major character archetypes (such as the hero, the mentor, the gatekeeper, the herald, and more!). Find out what goes into any story for future college literature class must-haves -- and get the know-how to author your own story.

Instructor Access is available for this Fiction Writing course.
Please see the right-hand column for more information and to sign up!

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. 
We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  
Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

How to Get the Most Out of This Course:

1. Read: Read all of the information here. Recorded Course students, please skim the course in its entirety before you begin; LIVE students, please read through the top portion of the course and Week 1.
2. Recording: Always begin each lesson with the class instruction/lesson.
   -- Recorded course students: Click on "Recording" and watch the lecture for Class One.
   -- LIVE course students: Attend class before attempting any of the coursework for the week.
3. Note Taking: Prepare a notebook and take complete notes while attending class/watching the recording.
4. Weekly Readings: After the video, check for any readings (documents/downloads or online readings). Always read the week's materials before starting the week's assignment.
5. Assignments: Complete the homework in the order that it is listed on the page. 
   -- Unlimited Access students: Give your assignment to your parent for grading.
   -- Instructor Access students: Email your assignment to your instructor.
   -- LIVE course students: Submit/upload your completed assignment in the Moodle system as instructed on the weekly assignment, below.
6. Grading: 
   -- LIVE courses and Instructor Access Grading: Assignments will be graded and returned within one week from the assignment's due date. 
   -- Unlimited Access students: If you'd like personal help with this course, click and get the Instructor Access for one-on-one mentoring, feedback, and grading. 
7. Review: If you are confused at any time, re-watch parts of the recording for clarity. The PowerPoint is also available for you. 
8. Continue: Repeat each weekly process until all classes are completed.
9. Time Frame: All assignments are to be completed before the next class unless noted.
   -- Unlimited Access students: You may work at your own pace. Students are encouraged to complete a minimum of one lesson per week. 
   -- Instructor Access students: You may move faster through the coursework; however, you are asked to complete a minimum of one lesson per week.
   -- LIVE course students: Turn in assignments before the LIVE class.
10. Finishing: Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Fill in the document for your records. You may also copy and paste the descriptive content of the course (located at the top section of the page). Make sure to record your grades; HSC does not provide record keeping.

Suggested Grade Level:  High School and Professional/Continuing Education

Prerequisite: Because many of the concepts in this course dovetail into the Fiction Series courses, it is recommended to have taken or be enrolled in any of the 11-level fiction courses before or while taking this course, but it is not required. Your student will also need Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document.

Suggested Grade Level: 11th grade; however, this LIVE course can be taken at any grade level in high school.

Suggested Credit: Two-thirds (2/3) semester’s credit for Creative Writing, Writing, or English. For a full semester’s credit, continue with daily writing and honing your craft, working with the parent.

Course Description: This advanced fiction writing course makes your writing and literary knowledge top-tier, as you delve into how to use archetypes and “The Hero’s Journey,” the mythic, overarching structure that most stories follow. In this course, you’ll learn the different kinds of typological characters appearing in stories (from the Hero and Mentor, to the Threshold Guardian and Shapeshifter) and use that knowledge to craft your own fiction story — while getting upper-level literature keys to “get the edge” for understanding literature and story. You can take this course in conjunction with any of the other fiction writing courses offered with Homeschool Connections. Whether you plan on going into fiction writing (books, screenwriting, poetry, television writing), enjoy studying literature, or simply want to expand your ability to write with the advanced skills that come from understanding and using mythic structure — this course is for you.

Course Outline:

Class 1: Archetypes and Story in Fiction Writing

Class 2: The Hero

Class 3: The Mentor—the Wise Old Man or Woman

Class 4: The Threshold Guardian

Class 5: The Herald

Class 6: The Shapeshifter and the Shadow

Class 7: The Ally

Class 8: The Trickster

 
Course Materials

Course Materials: Required Book: The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition, by Christopher Vogler and Michele Montez. Get the book here: http://amzn.to/2DzkE1W

The same book is used in both the Hero's Journey 1 (this course) and Hero's Journey 2 (next semester) course.

Microsoft Word or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document is required. If you do not own Microsoft Word, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.

Homework: Approximately two (2) to four (4) hours per week of reading and completing coursework, depending on your skills level coming into the course. All homework is graded with personal feedback given by the instructor.