Your Writing Journey: 12 Steps to Write Your Hero's Journey

In this course I’ll show you how to master the 12 steps of story structure known as “The Hero’s Journey.”

You'll learn how this journey taken by a story’s main character – the “hero” whether male or female – forms the roadmap of all compelling narratives, from thrillers, romances, and fantasy novels to literary novels and memoirs.

Why master these steps? Because without this essential dramatic arc for your story’s main character, your book may never find a publisher and never reach readers.

But if your story’s hero does take this journey, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Learn how to craft a book that leaves readers saying, “I couldn’t put it down!”

· Master the 12 steps of the Hero's Journey to empower your unique story.

· Learn how classic story structure enriches compelling narratives in every genre.

· Create a main character whose goals and struggles all readers can relate to.

· Structure clear, compelling turning points in your plot.

· Craft a book that excites publishers and thrills readers.

Who benefits from this course?

If you’re at the beginning of your writing journey, you’ll find inspiration and a clear path forward.

If you’re an emerging writer, you’ll learn skills to help you move up from “writer” to “author.”

If you’re an experienced writer, you’ll acquire techniques to boost your writing to the level of the bestsellers.

The course’s 12 videos cover these 12 steps in the universal “Hero’s Journey”:

The Ordinary World

The Call to Action

Refusal of the Call

Meeting with the Mentor

Crossing the Threshold

Tests, Allies, and Enemies

Approach to the Innermost Cave

The Ordeal

The Reward

The Road Back

The Final Choice

Return with the Elixir

It’s your journey, too

To really bring home the power of the universal Hero’s Journey, I’ll show how each of the 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey mirrors every step you take on your personal journey as a writer.

It's an enjoyable way to learn

In each video of the course I show examples from popular movies made from bestselling novels. You’ll watch excerpts from the following films to illustrate each step of the Hero’s Journey:

Atonement by Ian McEwan

Casablanca by Murray Burnett & Joan Alison

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

How Stella Got Her Groove Back by Terry McMillan

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Jaws by Peter Benchley

Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy

The Odyssey by Homer

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Dynamic content. The video lectures are packed with over two hours of instruction, insights, and inspiration.

Practical application. You’ll enjoy doing brief exercises, each one related to a specific step in the Hero’s Journey. The exercises (each takes about 15 minutes) will spark exciting ideas you can apply to the main character in your book.

Real world relevance. You'll complete the course knowing how to use the timeless structure of the Hero’s Journey to empower the unique story you are writing.

This course is right for you if:

· You’ve got story ideas but want a solid plan to bring them to fruition.

· You love writing but fear you may not “have what it takes” to succeed.

· You’re toiling alone, without expert guidance to achieve your writing goals.

· You struggle to find time to write, so you want a focused course to keep you on track.

· You’re eager to learn from a pro who respects your desire to grow as a writer.

Who is your teacher?

Creating characters and crafting stories is what I do for a living. My eleven novels have been published by major New York publishers, and over half a million copies have been sold worldwide. I also co-wrote the screenplay for the feature film “Saving Dinah” available on Amazon Prime. So I speak to you as writer-to-writer, teaching the techniques you need to write a book that can succeed in the marketplace. Here are some reviews my books have garnered.

The Deadly Trade

- “Kyle masterfully weaves together mystery, suspense, and advocacy in a thought-provoking and heart-pounding thriller.” – C.S. O’Cinneide, author of the Candace Starr series

- “Readers will love Kyle’s spirited hero Natalie Sinclair and her brave band of animal rescuers.” - Robert Rotenberg, bestselling author of Downfall

The Man from Spirit Creek

- “A wonderful read full of twists, suspense, mystery and a hint of romance.” – BookSirens

- “A page turner that will have you wishing you didn't have to put it down for your real life.” – Goodreads

The Thornleigh Saga Series

- “A classic historical novel – sweeping, gritty and realistic.” – Historical Novel Society on The Queen’s Lady

- “Riveting Tudor drama”– USA Today on The Queen’s Exiles

I’m an acclaimed writing coach

I’ve taught writers at the University of Toronto and have been a frequent presenter at international writers' conferences. Through my online master classes, I’ve launched many writers on the path to published success. Nothing makes me happier than cheering the success of the writers I have taught!

- “Barbara’s wise words constantly guide my way.” – Bestselling mystery author Robert Rotenberg

- “Working with Barbara is like having a secret weapon in your writing arsenal.” – Award-winning author Nancy Raven Smith

What Udemy learners say

My video course “Your Path to Writing a Page-Turner” is a Udemy Bestseller. Here are some reviews about it:

- “Outstanding course content. Highly motivating and brilliantly presented.” – Irving S.

- “This is one of the most sophisticated, honest, and inclusive courses about fiction writing I've seen. I'm so inspired to start my own project!” – Karen M.

- “This course delivers truly insightful information from an experienced industry insider. Absolutely amazing.” – Robert H.

- “The presentation is immaculate and Barbara Kyle delivers her message in a pleasant, easy, and very clear way!” – TJ S.

“This in-depth, detailed video course is packed with helpful tips. I heartily recommend it to other writers.” – Joanne C.

- “An engaging, insightful, profoundly informative masterclass on the anatomy of writing. Whether you're aspiring or pro, there are invaluable tips here for every writer.” – Jose H.

- “I’ve learned more than I ever expected. Informative in a way that makes me believe I can actually get this novel idea written.” – Danielle P.

Writing a book is a fulfilling journey. If you have a story to tell, I’ll help you tell it and share it with the world!