Why do traditional story structures so often fail female protagonists?
Date: March 8th
Time: 16:00
Room: Streamed online only
In this session, psychotherapist and author Stacey Simmons introduces The Queen’s Path, an ancient narrative pattern that explains why women cannot, and should not, be forced into the Hero’s Journey. Drawing from fairy tales, film, television, and real clinical experience, Simmons explores the concept of the Divided Woman: the internal split women are conditioned into early in life, regardless of role or ambition.
Screenwriters will learn how this hidden story map has shaped female characters for centuries, why it undermines sovereignty and agency, and how using The Queen’s Path can lead to more authentic, powerful, and resonant women-driven stories.
This session offers writers a fresh framework for crafting female characters who don’t just survive the story, but rule their own lives..
Appearing in this session
Stacey Simmons // Therapist and Story Analyst
Psychotherapist and former animation professional who helps writers move beyond the Hero’s Journey to craft powerful, sovereign female stories.
