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About the Author
I'm an editor and cover designer for AspenHouse Publishing. I am also a host for AspenHouse's poscast, Writing Roots.

S44E1 – Plot: Before Act 1

Once I came to really understand the mechanics of three-act structure, my life got a great deal easier. It doesn’t tell you how to write your book, but it helps you understand why things aren’t working, or what kind of beat needs to come next. – Marcus Sakey

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S43E9 – Characters: Inanimate Objects

The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever, but the hearts of men are easily corrupted. And the ring of power has a will of its own. It betrayed Isildur, to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, the ring ensnared a new bearer. – Galadriel, The Lord of the Rings

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S43 Bonus – Successes and Failure of the Characters

Success and failure. We think of them as opposites, but they’re really not. They’re companions – the hero and the sidekick. – Laurence Shames

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S43E8 – Characters: The Greek Chorus

Pintel: How’d this go all screwy?
Ragetti: Well, each wants the chest for hisself, don’t ‘e? Mr. Norrington, I think, is trying to regain a bit of honor. Old Jack’s looking to trade it, save his own skin. And Turner there, I think ‘e’s trying to settle some unresolved business twixt him and his twice-cursed pirate father.
Pintel: Sad.
– Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

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S43E7 – Characters: The Society

“We could have been called reapers,” Goddard said, “but our founders saw fit to call us scythes – because we are the weapons in mankind’s immortal hand. You are a fine weapon, Rowan. Sharp and precise. And when you strike, you are glorious to behold.” – Neal Shusterman

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S43E6 – Characters: The Villain’s Chorus

Banzai: Now that’s power.
Shenzi: Tell me about it. I just hear that name, and I shudder.
Banzai: Mufasa!
Shenzi: Oooh. Do it again.
Banzai: Mufasa!
Shenzi: Oooh!
Banzai: Mufasa, Mufasa, Mufasa!
– The Lion King

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S43E5 – Characters: The Comedic Relief

As a communication tool, effective use of humor can humanize you, cementing your bond with readers. It can also help your work stand out in a crowded market. – Leigh Anne Jasheway

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S43E3 – Characters: Secondary Characters

Think of every character as a main character. They believe they’re the main characters in their stories. No one should be just an obstacle. – Ben Edlund

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S43E2 – Characters: The Mentor

A mentor empowers a person to see a possible future, and believe it can be obtained. – Shawn Hitchcock

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