Workshop Elements

The Hero's Journey Framework

The 9 Essential Story Elements

Character

Do I have essential characters defined in this story?
Who will my audience identify with?
Who is the protagonist? Me? Another person I’ve worked with in the past? The audience I’m talking to?
Are the audience and me aligned with the character(s) I’m highlighting or will this character pull them out of the story?

Character Traits

Do I include descriptions of characters that will shape attitudes of my audience and help them relate to my characters?
Remember: What’s personal is universal. Names. Ages. Relationships to the teller.

Goals

Have I clarified what the character(s) want or need?

Motive

Have I identified what the character is physically doing to meet their needs?

Problems & Conflicts

Have I identified the obstacles and tensions standing between the character and their goal?

Risks & Consequences

Have I clarified the likelihood of failure (risk)?
Have I clarified the consequences of failure (danger)?
Combined, these form the stakes of the story. The listener needs to know what the stakes are, as this builds tension – the primary source of audience excitement.

Struggle

Have I created a sequenced journey to overcome problems and conflicts culminating with facing the greatest obstacle/conflict?
Remember: Struggle is a biological necessity of the human condition; however, to include it in storytelling requires generosity of your scars. Without struggle, your audience will turn on you.

Resolution

What happened in relation to the character meeting their goals?
Is there closure around the goal?
Was the goal achieved? Not achieved?
In addition to the outcome, how did the character(s) change or learn in relation to the goal?

Details

Storytelling is the transfer of imagery from the mind of the teller to the mind of the audience. Details are essential to narrative transportation. They transport the listener into the story. Sensory details around the five senses work very well here. We don’t need a lot of details, but we need the right details. This comes with practice by using the “imaging phase” of the “In Your Bones” framework. After adding details, share with a story partner for feedback on what picture the imagery painted for them.

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Discover the faces behind our mission: a devoted team committed to guiding and supporting our nation's defenders find healing in their stories. Together, we stand strong in our commitment to serving those who serve us.

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This play is an emotional breaching tool for service members and civilians alike. In other words, the power of narrative opens audience members up emotionally to the path of moving from moral injury to moral recovery.

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