Diverse Narrative Structures 2.0 [NEW DATE]

We have changed the dates for this class due to unforeseeable scheduling conflicts. Please note the new days.

Discussions in the West around diversity in the arts often focus more on identity than on other key aspects of narrative. Beyond those important elements, Western hegemony pushes the idea that storytelling staples such as the three-act structure or themes of empowerment and change are universal and necessary to good narratives. They are not.

In the expanded Diverse Narrative Structures 2.0, writers get an introduction to and in-depth analysis of Eastern structures and storytelling that offers a path to radically different ways of telling a satisfying story.

This asynchronous class includes:

• Weekly lectures and discussions

• Writing exercises that utilize students' own works

• Case studies of narratives in film, fiction, folklore, and video games

Built around instructor Henry Lien's writing craft book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling, this class will explore expressions of diversity that go beyond just plopping different faces into stories that are 100% Western in spirit.

Students will learn about narrative forms from the East Asian four-act structure to circular and nested structures and beyond. You'll come away with an understanding of how value systems (such as Eastern collectivism) can dictate form and how that applies to your own writerly path going forward.

Taken This Class Before?

This expanded 2.0 version of Diverse Narrative Structures offers a wealth of new material for returning students:

• New sections exploring cultural values and how they dictate story structures

• More writing exercises to help avoid common pitfalls of non-Western storytelling structures

• More lecture material highlighting real-life, non-fiction applications of these structures

• Double the case studies, now including video games

...and a theme song!

• Date: August 1 - 31, 2025

  • NOTE: This class is asynchronous and does not meet at set times. Please ignore the time information included on this page.

• Where: Online — Available everywhere and at your own pace

• Price: $350

• Registration Deadline: Sunday, July 27th, 2025

Financial Aid Available!

For full class details, including required texts, accessibility info, and available financial aid, please visit WritingTheOther.com.

Refund Policy

If you find that you need to drop the workshop, you may do so by requesting a refund via Humanitix up to 14 days before the class start date. Beyond this date, you will not get a refund, however you may have that credit applied toward a future course.