Bestselling author Barbara Ankrum was a successful commercial actress until her love of romance novels led to a publishing contract. Many books and two wonderful children later, she still believes in happy endings and feels very lucky to do what she loves, with her husband, cat, and one scruffy, unrepentant dog at her side.

Barbara is a two-time RITA finalist. Her novel “Holiday Hearts” was the basis for the Hallmark movie of the same title starring Ashley Williams and Paul Campbell. Her novel “Every Time a Bell Rings” recently sold to MGM.

Barbara taught romance novel writing at UCLA Extension where “The Hero’s Journey” was one of her most popular lectures.

The Hero’s Journey, popularized in Joseph Campbell’s works, is a story structure widely used by Hollywood and novelists alike. Come learn the building blocks of the structure, how to recognize it in other works, and how to apply it to your romance novels.