Become an excellent writer as you learn all about essential story structure, character archetypes, and essential character development in dynamic stories in this advanced fiction writing course, where you can write your own story.

Instructor Access (optional grading support) is available for Unlimited Access or Single Access. 
See the sidebar to the left for signup information!

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.

Note! This is Part Two of a two-part course. For Part One, click here.

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 Caravel 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: 

11th grade; however, this course can be taken at any grade level in high school or in professional/continuing education studies.

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.

Prerequisite: Required: The Hero’s Journey and Mythic Structure for Writers, Part One

Instructor: Erin M Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy/E.B. Conroy), M.A, M.F.A.

Course Description: This is an advanced fiction writing course that delves into the use of archetypes in what is called "the hero's journey," the mythic structure that many claim all stories follow. This course will cover the different kinds of typological characters who appear in stories, to apply that knowledge to the crafting of your own fiction book. The course can be taken 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) or simply want to expand your ability to write in advanced styles, this course is for you. 

Course Outline:

Class 1: The Ordinary World

Class 2: The Call to Adventure

Class 3: The Refusal of the Call

Class 4: Meeting with the Mentor

Class 5: Crossing the First Threshold

Class 6: Test, Allies, and Enemies

Class 7: Approach to the Innermost Cave

Class 8: The Ordeal and Reward, Summarizing the Road Back, Resurrection, and Return

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

Note: The same book is used in both The Hero's Journey 2 (this course), The Hero's Journey 1 (previous course), and in the Screenwriting courses. 

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.

Note: All student work needs to be 100% the student's own work and the student's own writing. Nothing can be copied from anywhere else unless a source for the text is given on the assignment. Any students who copy work from elsewhere will receive a zero on the assignment. Repeated copying will result in failure of the course. 

©2014-2024 Homeschool Connections and Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (AKA author Erin Brown Conroy / EB Conroy). All rights reserved.

This course is designed by Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.

Technical Help: If you experience technical difficulties with watching the recorded classes or have a question about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.