From ancient myths to modern tales, our immersive workshops take you deep
into story—strengthening your creative process and unlocking the true power of narrative.
Upcoming Event
One-Day Workshop
May 5, 2025
10am-5pm
Pacifica Graduate Institute
801 Ladera Lane • Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $225/person (includes lunch)
Dara Marks and Deb Norton serve as guides, mentors, and muses, using feminine mythic epics to reveal the archetypal pathways leading to creative discovery. Through storytelling, writing, ritual, and play, they offer an immersive experience in a safe, supportive space. Their work equips writers with new tools, insights, and techniques to deepen their artistic vision and bring greater power to their stories.
Use code SHERO10 for 10% off!
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Discover
Using timeless archetypal patterns, learn the secret to building more relevant and meaningful stories.
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Engage
Explore and gain inspiration from modern narratives with roots in the deep, rich soil of ancient myths.
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Create
Gain greater access to your own internal creative vision through writing exercise, ritual, and play.
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Connect
Boost creativity and gain confidence through fellowship in our safe, supportive environment.
Transform your stories, transform the world!
Though it's empowering to see films today that celebrate women in traditionally masculine heroic roles, the Feminine Heroic runs far deeper. Hers is not a tale of conquest or physical dominance, but an ancient mythic journey, a fearless passage through the dark corridors of the soul, transforming pain into power and sorrow into wisdom. From these depths, she rises not as she once was, but reborn—bringing the light of greater consciousness into the world.
Great stories are neither masculine nor feminine, but a balance of both. Unfortunately, too few of our modern tales engage the feminine side of the story, leaving us disconnected and isolated from ourselves and from each other. To rebalance our cultural narrative, we need to honor the inner feminine journey as much as we exalt the outward quest for glory and triumph.
Meet your Guides
Dara Marks
Dara Marks, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized story consultant, seminar leader, and author of the bestselling book, Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc. Her groundbreaking work on narrative has inspired screenwriters, novelists, and playwrights around the world to engage more deeply in the creative process.
A passionate educator, Dara believes that culture speaks through its stories and that every writer’s voice matters. Her unique method has earned her top ratings, with her expertise sought by major studios, independent filmmakers, and television creatives.
Dara holds a doctorate in Mythological Studies and is currently working on a new book about the Feminine Heroic. She lives in Ojai, CA, with her husband and enjoys spending time in nature.
Deb Norton
Deb Norton is a writing coach and author of Part Wild: A Writer’s Guide to Harnessing the Creative Power of Resistance, hailed by HuffPost as “a must-read for any aspiring or seasoned writer.” She empowers writers to overcome self-doubt and tap into the genius of their unique voice through powerful storytelling tools.
A graduate of The American Conservatory Theater, Deb has served as a dramaturg for STAGE at the University of Chicago, developing multimedia theater inspired by science and technology. Her play The Whole Banana was praised by the LA Times as a “hysterical post-feminist lark,” a theme that continues in her current project—an epic sci-fi fantasy novel featuring a menopausal superhero. Deb lives with her husband, Chris, on a wildflower farm in Washington state, where nature fuels her inspiration.
MAYHEW BERGMAN ON “THE FEMININE HEROIC”
IN THE PARIS REVIEW
“Nurture over conquest, peace over violence, conservation over exploitation. As women carve more space for themselves in the adventure cannon, perhaps we will see more of the feminine heroic, allow for its complexity and range, and acknowledge the relationship between representation, power and possibility.”
People love Engaging the Feminine Heroic
"Dara Marks and Deb Norton are two extraordinary muses who will guide you up to the Gods and down into the underworld in order to reawaken your own inner storyteller. You will not merely emerge with a greater mastery of the elements of story, but with an experiential understanding of where to find it within yourself."
Lynnie Greene, Executive Producer, Masters of Sex, Boss, and Nip/Tuck
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★★★★★
“Whatever kind of writer you are, whether you make your living by your pen, or have only dreamed of putting the words of your heart on the page, Engaging the Feminine Heroic, is the workshop you need. Part academic adventure, part kick-in-the-creative-process bootcamp, the journey that Dara Marks and Deb Norton guide you on is magic, deep, dangerous and transformational. I consider it the finest, most concentrated learning experience of my life.”
Carolynne Ciceri, Writer, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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★★★★★
“There was a beautiful balance to the retreat - new insights/ancient mythology; seasoned writers/newbies; explorations into the masculine/feminine; delving into light/darkness in our writings and within ourselves. I would wholeheartedly recommend time with Dara or Deb to anyone serious about improving their craft or deepening their love of writing.”
Mary Sequoia Hamilton, Screenwriter/Filmmaker, Author
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★★★★★
“I have rarely experienced such generosity of wisdom and heart as provided by Dara Marks and Deb Norton. This is an experience I am most grateful to have had, and will repeat when the opportunity presents itself. Dara and Deb took us to places of the mind and heart I had never explored, and wish to return to again, and again.”
Kris Welchman, Writer
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★★★★★
“Dara and Deb’s teaching methods complement each other seamlessly—they are indeed a Dream Team! Under their skillful guidance, I discovered things I never knew I wanted to write about, or even thought I could write about.”
Ellen Sandler, Co-Executive Producer/Writer on Everybody Loves Raymond and author of The TV Writer’s Workbook (Bantam/Dell).
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★★★★★
“This journey is for anyone who is banging on the ceiling, waiting for the break through, hoping for the magic words that will help them navigate the turn and move on to Next.”
Bess Armstrong, Actress, My So-Called Life and One Tree Hill
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★★★★★
“This is a course that would enrich anyone’s approach to their art…or their life.”
Lisa Loomer, Author, Girl, Interrupted and Real Women Have Curves, the Broadway musical
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★★★★★
“I came home from the week in France feeling I was part of a whole new community, of people and of thought. On the outside – a group of 17 loving women, of which I had become a part. On the inside – a rich well of knowledge and wisdom from generations behind generations. I feel truly enriched, and changed, in some way.”
Carin Pollack, Writer, As it is in Heaven
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★★★★★
"I left the retreat with a new sense of my own journey and a deep acceptance that was not there before. I now understand that the underworld is where the jewels are.”
Julie Lancaster Morris, Actress
So, where do we go from here?
We’re planning our next writing retreat and would love to hear what location sounds best to you. Pick your favorite and then click the button below to let us know!
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ITALY
Write, dream, and create in the heart of the Umbrian region of Italy. The retreat would be heled in this restored 14th-century farmhouse in Umbria, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. It offers the perfect setting for writing, reflection, and adventure.
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IRELAND
Escape to the Irish countryside for an inspiring six-day retreat where misty hills, quiet lakes,and ancient forests stir the soul. With cozy rooms and nourishing fare, this is a place to breathe deeply, dream freely, and write fully.
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THE CARIBBEAN
Tucked into the lush island hillside, this sun-soaked sanctuary is the perfect setting for a remarkable six-day creative experience. Unplug, recharge and reconnect, allowing turquoise waters and rhythmic ocean breezes to awaken your creative senses.
FAQs
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What makes this program unique is that we bring together mythic storytelling, personal history, the artistic process and creative technique into one big beautiful experience. These four elements are the pillars of discovery we use to help open your creative work and enhance self- expression.
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All of the writing in this workshop happens live, in-session. This is a generative and immersive experience—not about polishing old drafts but about uncovering what’s just beneath the surface. The work is designed to break through creative resistance and open up new, uncharted territory. What emerges is often raw, alive, and in motion—writing that’s still “wet and wriggling,” not yet ready for critique. Instead of traditional feedback, your work will be met with deep listening, resonance, and reflection—the kind of support that invites revelation, insight, and creative epiphany.
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Absolutely! Our work with the Feminine Heroic is keenly focused on the transformative function of story and its applications across all art forms. Directly and indirectly, art is narrative. Through words, movement, music and imagery our artistic expression reveals the depth of the human drama and, therefore, our creative work – in any medium – offers us the ability to connect to each other and to the whole of life.
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Yes. Engaging the Feminine Heroic is a natural evolution of the work first explored in Inside Story. While the book offers a powerful foundation in transformational story structure, the Feminine Heroic expands this framework by guiding writers deeper—into the inner landscapes where meaning, emotion, and mythic resonance take root. Drawing on archetype, symbol, and the wisdom of feminine myth, this work invites writers to craft stories not only with structure, but with soul.