The Hero’s Journey (LHI-AS-06-EN)
The Hero's Journey is a well-known method in the field of narrative as a way of self-examination. The idea is that all stories, ancient myths and tales as well as modern films and literature, but not less every person's life story, involves a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis and returns home, changed and transformed, and gets rewarded. The Hero is not a kind of superhero but one who dares to face fears and overcome challenges. The hero´s gifts in overcoming the challenges will benefit his/her whole society. See Joseph Cambell´s writings, the connections with psychology and philosophy, and the creative empowering methods based on the idea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey:
Participants start with a writing warm-up, beginning with the words “My hero is…”. Thereafter participants exercise different writings and finally read their texts out loud in a creative way during a performance in which the audience (other participants) take an active, rewarding part.
Those interested in participating in this workshop please contact the artist.
LessThe Hero's Journey is a well-known method in the field of narrative as a way of self-examination. The idea is that all stories, ancient myths and tales as well as modern films and literature, but not less every person's life story, involves a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis and returns home, changed and transformed, and gets rewarded. The Hero is not a kind of superhero but one who dares to face fears and overcome challenges. The hero´s gifts in overcoming the challenges will benefit his/her whole society. See Joseph Cambell´s writings, the connections with psychology and philosophy, and the creative empowering methods based on the idea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey:
Participants start with a writing warm-up, beginning with the words “My hero is…”. Thereafter participants exercise different writings and finally read their texts out loud in a creative way during a performance in which the audience (other participants) take an active, r
The Hero's Journey is a well-known method in the field of narrative as a way of self-examination. The idea is that all stories, ancient myths and tales as well as modern films and literature, but not less every person's life story, involves a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis and returns home, changed and transformed, and gets rewarded. The Hero is not a kind of superhero but one who dares to face fears and overcome challenges. The hero´s gifts in overcoming the challenges will benefit his/her whole society. See Joseph Cambell´s writings, the connections with psychology and philosophy, and the creative empowering methods based on the idea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey:
Participants start with a writing warm-up, beginning with the words “My hero is…”. Thereafter participants exercise different writings and finally read their texts out loud in a creative way during a performance in which the audience (other participants) take an active, r
- Focus on
- Open-mindedness
- Self-awareness
- Self-expression
- Days
- 1
- Type
- With guidance
- Group size
- up to 10 participants
- more than 10 participants
- Duration
- More than 1 Day
- More than 60 min
- Settings
- Face-to-face
- Training field(s)
- Creativity Development
- Resilience Building
- Entrepreneurial Skills
- Competence / skill
- Composure/emotional regulation
- Self-motivation & perseverance
Title
The Hero’s Journey
Method
Individual- and group work, discussions.
Materials
Pencil/Pen and A3 size paper. Costumes, old clothes, hats, jewellery, makeup.
Preparation
The facilitator prepares for introducing the Hero's Journey. Tables and chairs are put in a circle for writing the exercises. Then chairs are arranged in groups of four before the reading out loud exercise. A mirror and costumes are in place and made available.
Time for preparation
15 min: Preparation of the room.
2 hours: Preparation for the introduction of the Hero's Journey (if the facilitator does not know the method beforehand
Tips for implementation
It is important that the facilitator emphasises that all participants respect confidentiality when working in this kind of group work to establish trust and cohesiveness within the group. Facilitators that are interested in leading this exercise need to complete a course about The Hero's Journey with Björg Árnadóttir.
Resources/References
The inspiration for the performance while writing out loud is from Paul Rebillot: The Call of Adventure: Bringing the Hero’s Journey to Daily Life.
Learning outcomes
Through this method/action, these benefits are achieved:
- To practise writing
- To practise sharing writings with others
- Training in group discussions
- To discover inner hero/strengths
- Training in performing and talking about one's own strengths
Description in clear steps
Writing exercise based on the Hero's Journey
- The facilitator introduces The Hero's Journey and discusses the journey for participants to understand the idea behind the method.
- Participants get pencils or pens and paper size A3. They are asked to write on the paper by letting the pen flow over the paper in long lines and begin with the words “My hero is…”. The participants continue to write based on the words and even if nothing comes to mind, just write, though it will only be bla, bla, bla, and continue until something comes to his mind. Move the hand (continue writing) (4 min.).
- Only the author/participant reads what he wrote and chooses three places in the text (a place: one word, two or three words, a sentence) to continue to work with. (2 min.).
- The author/participant continues writing, by hand or on computer, inspired by the chosen words (about 8-10 min.).
- Two participants work together and read/show their newest text to each other. Together they choose three places in the text from each other to continue their writing. This way each person gains some inspiration from the other. (10 min.).
- Finally, the participants write a text influenced by their partner´s text. (12 min.).
This writing exercise serves the purpose of getting people to start writing but also by making them realize the three phases of the writing process: the conceptual work, the writing work and the refinement/finishing work. This part of the exercise can stand for itself (different topics in different context), but the exercise can also be continued in the following way:
- Mirror and colourful clothes and hats, jewellery and face painting is made available.
- Participants dress in costumes and (optional) make up their faces. They are then given the opportunity to replace the words “My hero” in their texts with the word “I”.
- Participants share their texts in groups of four where everyone is decoratively dressed. The audience (those three of the group who are not reading) express their approval in a creative way during and after the performance.
Group sharing about this experience: how participants feel towards writing and performing and how the concept of the hero influenced them.
Contributor
Björg Árnadóttir
Website
www.stilvopnid.is
Links
akademia.is/ollum
Self-description of contributor and his/her offers
Björg is a writer, journalist and a writing teacher, based in Reykavík where she runs a small education company called Stílvopnið. When opportunity arrives, she works around the world or has groups coming to Iceland. Björg has participated in many international projects as well as doing volunteer work in the field of adult education, writing and community art. She communicates in the Icelandic, English and Swedish languages.
Björg offers courses, workshops, presentations, seminars on creative fiction and non-fiction writing, memoir writing, writing the Hero's Journey´s way, sociometry (creating safe spaces) and creativity workshops. Those interested please contact the artist.
Art category
Creative writing
Spoken language
English, Icelandic
Artist's picture
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