Non-Linear Story Structures from Non-Western Traditions | Webinar 2023

WtO Admin

When: February 18th, 2023 | 10AM – 1PM Pacific Time (click here to convert to your timezone)
Where: Online via Zoom video conference
Price: $50 – $75
Scholarships Available

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.

Carroll’s king was clearly not a Chinese king. Western storytelling traditions decree that a linear structure (along with the three act structure, the hero’s journey, and a rising self-esteem arc) are mandatory features of any satisfying story. This is Western-centric silliness. In this webinar, author Henry Lien will explore non-linear structures, specifically cyclic and nested structures, using examples from non-Western stories and films.

Students will come to understand how these non-linear structures allow for thematic stacking, embracing of moral complexity, and a synthesis between form and content to explode the idea that a straight line is the best way to tell every story. The webinar emphasizes practical craft takeaways for storytellers to apply to their own works in progress.

This webinar will run from 10AM to 1PM Pacific Time with short breaks in the middle.

Who Should Take This Webinar?

Writers of all genres — Literary, YA, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Children’s Books, Romance — and narrative mediums — Prose, Playwriting, Screenwriting, and Graphic Novels, from newbie to professional.

Registration and Payment Options

Live Webinar Registration is $75 for attendees. If you cannot attend the class during the live webinar, please choose Video Only Registration to get a recording of the class afterward. While you won’t be able to participate in the Q&A session, you’ll get all the resources, the lectures, and answers to questions asked during the live class. The fee for this registration is $50.

We will send the webinar recording to all registrants by March 4th.

Accessibility

Zoom meetings software is compatible with standard screen readers and has several other accessibility features that make it possible for writers who are Blind or vision impaired to participate in the webinar. 

Questions will be submitted via the meeting software chat function or via voice.

Closed captions will be available, auto-generated by Rev.com. The final version of the recorded webinar will have auto-generated closed captions available. Note: the accuracy of these captions varies, and for live webinars we do not edit them.

Technical Requirements

Zoom video conferencing works on computers, tablets, and most smartphones. We suggest you access the live webinar via a computer for the best experience. Before enrolling, make sure your computer or mobile device is compatible with Zoom. To do that, load the app on your system and join this test meeting.

Webcams and microphones are not necessary. Participants may submit questions during the Q&A portion of the webinar via text. 

Full and Partial Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are available for both the webinar and the video only.

If you do not have the financial means to pay for all or part of the registration cost for the webinar, we encourage you to apply.  We have a broad definition of financial need that ranges from writers who do not have the money at all to writers who have the funds but can’t afford to use them for a writing class. We especially encourage writers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply. Wherever you exist on the financial needs spectrum, don’t self reject! (Still not sure whether you should apply? Read this post.)

Additionally, in acknowledgment of the difficulty Palestinian writers may have in accessing resources and the obstacles their voices face in being heard, we have set aside scholarship spots specifically for writers of Palestinian heritage.

IMPORTANT: We set aside scholarship spots ahead of opening registration. Even if the webinar sells out before the deadline, scholarship spots are still reserved. If you plan to apply for a scholarship you do not need to register below.

If you can afford to pay for part but not all of the registration fee, please apply for a partial scholarship. Under this financial aid plan you can let us know the amount you can afford. If you cannot afford to pay at all, please apply for a full scholarship. 

To apply, please fill out this form. You’ll be asked to provide:

  • A brief (300 or fewer words) statement of financial need.
  • A brief (500 or fewer words) description of a work or works you hope the webinar will help you with.
  • If you customarily identify as POC, BIPOC, BAME, or Palestinian, you may indicate that if you wish.

Deadline: 11:59PM Pacific February 4. We will notify all applicants of their standing by February 11. If you have any questions, please use our contact form to ask!

Refund Policy

We are not offering refunds for this webinar. If you purchase a ticket for the live session and are unable to make it, you will still get access to the recording. You may also submit questions ahead of time via email.

Register Below

If you have a Gift Card, discount, or code to access tickets, please enter it in the Promo Code box below before you begin registration. If the box below gives you trouble, click here to register on our Eventbrite page.