“Modernist manuals of writing often conflate story with conflict. This reductionism reflects a culture that inflates aggression and competition while cultivating ignorance of other behavioral options.”
Ursula K. Le Guin
In a society saturated with easy-to-understand Hollywood narratives, the idea that a story must revolve around conflict has become almost axiomatic. This approach, heavily influenced by Joseph Campbell's Hero’s Journey, permeates our collective storytelling in the United States, and shapes our perceptions of ourselves and the world. But what if there’s a different way to tell stories, one that eschews conflict as the primary driver and embraces a more harmonious, inclusive approach?
If you’re interested in exploring these alternative storytelling models, I invite you to join my upcoming workshop: Other Options for Storytelling: A New Narrative Model Rooted in Traditional New Mexico Tales. This virtual event will take place this Saturday from noon to 4 PM MST. Together, we’ll delve into traditional New Mexico tales, examining how they can inform a new, more harmonious approach to storytelling.
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