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- Course name
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Advanced Fiction Writing: The Hero’s Journey & Mythic Structure for Writers, Part One (HS X-9)
- Summary
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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.
Class day/time: Thursdays, 1:00 PM ET (12:00 Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)
Instructor: Erin M. Brown, MA, MFACourse 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.
If you have any questions please contact us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.
©2016-2026 Homeschool Connections and Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA AKA author Erin Brown Conroy/EB Conroy. All rights reserved.
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.
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.- Course name
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Advanced Fiction Writing: The Hero’s Journey & Mythic Structure for Writers, Part One (HS X-9)
- Instructor
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Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA
- Semester
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Fall 2026
- Meeting days
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Thursday
- Category
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Writing ➤ Advanced Fiction Writing & Literary Form (11 and X Series)
- Grade levels
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High School
- Editors
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Aubrey Heki, Sharon Hamric-Weis, Bonnie Donlon, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA, Donna Graziose, Daniel Massett, Sara Keefe. MA
- Start time
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September 10th, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET
- Course type
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Live
- Price
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$207
- Seats available
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25 seats available
- Seats remaining
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24 seats remaining
- Relative due dates
- Enhanced quiz security
- Enhanced assignment security
Class dates
Starting time
Total classes
Duration
Prerequisites
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
Suggested credit
Outline
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
Materials
Homework
LIVE and Instructor Access students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor (parents will grade Recorded students’ work). Expect an estimated two (2) to four (4) hours per week for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability; homework includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.
Fees
Fee: $187 if you register on or before July 15 for all 8 classes. $207 after July 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $25 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)
Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA
ebconroy@homeschoolconnections.com
About Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA
Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA, is the creator and Director of the Aquinas Writing Advantage program. She is the author of 22 books (including Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success) and has been a professional author, editor, and university professor for over 30 years. Professor Brown has been coaching professional authors and writers worldwide, speaks at conferences and webinars often, and is a writing judge for multiple fiction writing/novel writing contests each year.
Professor Brown has been designing online writing courses for students of all ages since the 1990s and has designed the online writing program for three universities. She taught at two universities for 17 years (writing courses, interpersonal communication, management and leadership, and critical thinking). Professor Brown was also the General Education Communications curriculum development lead (writing, communications, critical thinking) for Western Governors University and served almost 20 years as a Senior Global Strategist in writing and as a marketing director.
Professor Brown has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction from Western Colorado University, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Rehabilitation, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in Education from Western Michigan University. Professor Brown was a homeschooling parent for 34 years and homeschooled 10 children. She lives in Michigan and enjoys writing Science Fiction and Fantasy books in coffee shops, speaking online and at conferences, and walking her dogs.