Alchemy, Symbolism, and the Mythic Journey
Welcome, Alchemist!
Study symbols for storytelling and epic roles for your characters. Outline your novels in ancient structures, and then subvert them. Combine the knowledge of myth and fairy tales into modern writing craft practices.
Enter a place of knowledge, exploration, secrets, and inspiration.
Asynchronous on Google Classroom
This 6-module class contains self-study materials in the form of video lectures, notes, readings, guided questions, worksheets, writing assignments, and a culminating week to apply these symbols and structures to your own creative work. We’ll be deep-diving into complex symbolic topics such as the stages of alchemical storytelling, assigning symbolic roles to characters, and how to use mythic story structure. This is an asynchronous class with no live meetings so you can complete the content on your own time.
Your Six Core Modules
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use symbols to activate cathartic storytelling
navigating the difference between real life and story space
how to consciously use symbolism to tell multi-layered stories
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how characters represent heart, mind, body, spirit
the Freudian triptych of Id, Ego, Superego
using triptychs to inspire character interactions in scenes
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the three stages of literary alchemy; Nigredo, Albedo, Rubedo, and how they progress the story
alchemical characters such as sulfur, mercury, and salt
how alchemy can activate stronger character arcs and story progression
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historical background of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey
how to use the Monomyth as guidance and inspiration instead of feeling stifled by structure
the most important stages of the Journey and how they mark character growth
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Maureen Murdock’s feminist response to Campbell and mythological connections to modern day
differences between the two journeys; rescue vs. destruction
using mythic structures to explore our modern lives and creative nonfiction
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using structures and symbolic worksheets to expand our stories
strategies for using inspiration without being overwhelmed
how to start writing and revise with new symbols in mind
“This class helped me to add a new dimension to my writing. I grew my toolbox as a storyteller by understanding some of the universal elements seen in so much classic and contemporary work. I feel more focused and intentional layering in symbolism, character traits, and even emotional journeys now that I've studied this content. Even after taking the course, I'm still referring to the handouts and thinking through the concepts in new contexts and I read and write.”
- Lauren Mallik
“Thank you for your help with this, and for the whole course of just-exactly-what-I-needed-to-know-about-stories. I am thrilled to be so equipped to take on stories through this project and others.”
-J
What’s class like?
Check out this excerpt from the Heroine’s Journey lecture on two of the most important stages.
Begin Your Journey.
Join and get lifetime access to all new content.
Tuition is $375 for 6 modules of lectures, readings, assignments, and writing worksheets, plus bonus lectures added each year.
This class is fully asynchronous. Take your time reviewing and completing the content at your pace.
You get immediate access to all course material upon registration.
Scholarship tuition is available for BIPOC students - simply shoot me an email or reach out via my contact form and I’ll send you the links.
Writing Behind the Scenes members always get 20% off asynchronous classes. Find your discount codes here.
