Best Three Act Structure Podcasts (2024)

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#159. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (September 2024) 22:31

3h ago22:31

22:31

Want a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀 In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing what I do as a developmental editor and book coach. I’ll talk through the projects I’m working on, what I’m excited (or not excited) about, what’s coming up in the next few weeks, what I learn from the writers I work with, and basically …

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Episode 268 - Jared Cooney Horvath – The Best Way to Use Technology for Learning 34:19

3d ago34:19

34:19

On episode 268, Alexis Avila speaks to returning guest Jared Cooney Horvath.Our Guest:Jared Cooney Horvath (PhD, MEd) is a neuroscientist, educator, and author of the best-selling book Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 Insights from Brain Science to Make Your Message Stick. Jared has conducted research and lectured at Harvard University, Harvard …

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#158. How To Strengthen Your Writing with the Power of Social Media With Lara Ferrari 42:08

7d ago42:08

42:08

Would you believe me if I said social media could make you a better writer? If you’re shaking your head NO, you’ll want to check out this episode. My guest, Lara Ferrari, is an Instagram marketing specialist who has helped hundreds of writers grow engaged communities of readers online (and have FUN while doing it). In this episode, she’s sharing ho…

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Why creativity is a radical act — with Jod Kaftan 32:12

8d ago32:12

32:12

In this episode of Real Creative Leadership, host Adam Morgan is joined by Jod Kaftan, head of product and research design at Oracle, for a candid conversation about the future of design in an increasingly automated world. Together, Jod and Adam talk about how creativity is intrinsically tied to the human experience, why building a community of peo…

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#157. 10 Surprising Lessons From My First Book Launch 19:11

16d ago19:11

19:11

Earlier this year, I published my first book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—and I learned soooo much about book marketing. Tune into this episode to hear the ten surprising lessons I learned from my first book launch, including things like: [03:10] What I learned about asking for Amazon reviews—an…

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#156. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 4) 26:24

24d ago26:24

26:24

Do you ever wish you could see a behind-the-scenes look at how other people write? In this episode, you’ll get to hear directly from five of my Notes to Novel students as they share how they brainstormed, outlined, and wrote their books inside the Notes to Novel course. I asked each of them to share the biggest thing that helped them get to “The En…

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#155. 10 Things That Will NOT Make You A Better Writer 32:59

28d ago32:59

32:59

As someone who’s worked with hundreds of authors, I see people making the same mistakes over and over and over again. Mistakes that are easily avoidable once you know they’re mistakes. In this episode, I’m sharing some of these mistakes. Specifically, the 10 things that will NOT make you a better writer—and oh boy is it a juicy episode! In it, you’…

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#154. Coaching Call: Critiquing Jac Sahlin's Query And First Five Pages 1:21:10

1M ago1:21:10

1:21:10

“I think your story has a genre identity crisis. That’s probably why you’re not getting responses from agents.” ← That’s what I told my new friend, Jac Sahlin, about the duology she’s currently querying. Tune into this episode to hear Jac and I talk through her query letter and first five pages—and to hear my thoughts on why she hasn’t received any…

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#153. Scene Analysis: Chapter 5 "Diagon Alley" From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 48:10

1M ago48:10

48:10

“How many scenes are in the Diagon Alley chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?” Believe it or not, this is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from writers when they hear I’ve written a book breaking apart this mega best seller scene by scene. And it’s a valid question! This chapter was the hardest chapter for us to analyze…

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#152. Three Act Structure Breakdown: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 38:37

2M ago38:37

38:37

How did Rowling deliver on the life-and-death stakes an action story requires, but in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers? How did she consistently weave together the external plot and Harry’s character arc in such a way that they’re inseparable? Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk through the plot structure of Harry P…

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Bonus: The Global Story Structure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 18:23

2M ago18:23

18:23

Rowling is a master at weaving the external plot with Harry’s internal character arc—and using the external plot events to help Harry grow and change. In this episode, you’ll hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk through the big-picture plot structure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone using the Story Grid’s Five Commandments of Storytelling. We’l…

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Bonus: How To Write Scenes Like Rowling (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry) 28:03

2M ago28:03

28:03

J.K. Rowling is the master of layering things within her scenes. She’s also fantastic at raising the stakes from scene to scene, too. But how does she do it Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk to Tim Grahl (the CEO of Story Grid) about what it was like to study Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—what we learned from J.K. R…

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#151. How Rowling Built A World Ripe For Life Or Death Conflicts (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry) 21:20

2M ago21:20

21:20

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a fantastic, three-dimensional story world for her Harry Potter series? That’s exactly what you’ll hear in this week’s brand-new podcast episode! Join me, Abigail K. Perry, and Tim Grahl, as we discuss the world-building in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—and what we learned from our analysis of this mega …

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Bonus: How Rowling Used Plot Catalysts to Keep Readers Engaged (A Sneak Peek From My Book!) 11:38

2M ago11:38

11:38

Plot catalysts make it difficult for a character to achieve their goals. If you’re writing an Action story, there are three main plot catalysts you’ll want to include in your book—a speech in praise of the villain, a deadline or ticking clock, and one or more set-piece action sequences. Tune into this episode to hear a sneak peek from my new book, …

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#150. How Rowling Created A Cast of Compelling Characters (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry) 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

Ever wonder how Rowling created such a wonderful cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harry Potter series? If so, tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry, Tim Grahl, and me talk about the characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. You’ll hear us talk about things like: [02:32] How to think about the number of characters …

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Bonus: What Made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone A Best Seller? (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry) 26:45

2M ago26:45

26:45

What made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone a worldwide bestseller? Why does this story still resonate with readers almost thirty years later? And why did Abigail and I agree to spend so much time dissecting every single scene and page to find out how and why it works?! Tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry and I talk to Tim Grahl (th…

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[SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT] My Book Is Available For Pre-Order! 14:35

2M ago14:35

14:35

Ever wish you could understand exactly what makes your favorite stories so lovable? Me too! So much so that I deconstructed every single scene in the first Harry Potter book to see how and why it worked. And today, I’m super excited to share with you that my brand-new book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Gui…

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#149. 5 Questions To Write Better Antagonists 26:40

3M ago26:40

26:40

Antagonists can make or break a story—both for the writer and the reader. Writers who don’t spend time developing their antagonists tend to write drafts that fall apart in the middle. Anyone who reads a story with a weak or unconvincing protagonist is unlikely to finish it. So, how do we go about making our antagonists just as compelling as our pro…

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#148. How To Use Universal Fantasy To Write Better Books (& Sell More Copies) With Theodora Taylor 45:02

3M ago45:02

45:02

“Never wonder if readers will love your story again.” This is exactly what Theodora Taylor teaches you how to do in her book 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE. Despite writing fiction in a niche genre (interracial romance), Theodora Taylor has grown a fanbase of rabid readers and fans through the power of s…

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#147. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (June 2024) 31:52

3M ago31:52

31:52

Want a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀 In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing what I do as a developmental editor and book coach. I’ll talk through the projects I’m working on, what I’m excited (or not excited) about, what’s coming up in the next few weeks, what I learn from the writers I work with, and basically …

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The Creative Leadership Maturity Model 24:17

3M ago24:17

24:17

Adam Morgan spends this episode of Real Creative Leadership breaking down his five-level creative leadership maturity model, a system designed to help creative leaders at every stage of their career find new ways to engage with their work and spark creative innovation in every aspect of their business. With decades of experience, Adam explores why …

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#146. 6 Ways Mindfulness Can Make You A Happier & More Productive Writer With April Dávila 37:25

3M ago37:25

37:25

If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your progress (or lack of progress), it’s probably time to take a step back from your writing and consider your mindset. To help you do just that, I’m sharing a conversation in today’s podcast episode with April Dávila, an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach who specializes in teaching writers to int…

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#145. How To Develop Your Character's Backstory 20:53

4M ago20:53

20:53

Crafting compelling backstories for your fictional characters is critical to developing a cohesive story, but it’s sometimes easier said than done. There are endless options when it comes to which details you can include in your character’s backstory, and what you do include will influence everything that happens in your story—from the plot events …

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Episode 267 - Shirag Shemmassian - Choosing the Right Schools for Pre-Med Majors 23:27

4M ago23:27

23:27

On Episode 267, Alexis Avila speaks to Dr. Shirag Shemmassian, founder and admissions consultant of Shemmassian Academic Consulting. As a Cornell University graduate and Cornell admissions interviewer, Shirag knows what the best schools are looking for in prospective students during admissions interviews.On today’s episode Shirag and I talk about c…

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Filling Your Creative Cup — with Maya Dukes 39:23

4M ago39:23

39:23

Adam Morgan chats with Maya Dukes, Managing Director of Global Brand Strategy, Creative & Social Media at Delta Air Lines, for a wanderlust-inducing episode that dives deep into why filing your own “creative cup” is more important than ever before. Together, Adam and Maya discuss ways to lead teams that draw inspiration from unlikely sources, how t…

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#144. Student Spotlight: How She Landed A Book Deal With Her Dream Publisher (With Savannah Carlisle) 44:05

4M ago44:05

44:05

Have you ever heard someone say that the only difference between a published author and an unpublished author is that the published author never gave up? I wholeheartedly believe this, and my guest today proves it’s true. Savannah Carlisle writes heartwarming romance novels that transport readers to fun and quirky small towns where friends feel lik…

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#143. How To Pitch Podcasts With Michelle Glogovac 40:13

4M ago40:13

40:13

“Human beings want to hear the stories of other human beings. And that's exactly what podcasts do.” - Michelle Glogovac You have a finished book, now what? Learn how to pitch yourself to podcasts (and create your own podcast book tour!) in this episode. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:47] What is a podcast book tour? And what are the benef…

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#142. How To Write A Query Letter That Get Requests 21:24

4M ago21:24

21:24

“I recommend working on your query letter as soon as you feel good enough about the overall shape of your story.” - Savannah Gilbo Agents and editors must sort through hundreds of query letters to find an outstanding story. So, how do you write a query letter that catches their attention and makes them want to read more? Tune into this episode to l…

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Episode 266 - From Failing to Acing: The Secrets Behind My Academic Comeback 10:00

4M ago10:00

10:00

On Episode 266 of the new and improved Prepped and Polished Podcast, Alexis shares his academic struggles and how he was able to overcome them. We’ll discuss ways to achieve better grades in school such as: • Finding the right social circles that will help you thrive. • Finding mentors at school who will inspire you. • Refining your study skills so…

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#141. How To Create Believable Monsters With Randy Ellefson 52:54

5M ago52:54

52:54

“The object itself didn't cause the conflict. The person who made the choice with the object caused the conflict.” - Randy Ellefson In today’s episode, we’re going to cover something really fun—how to create believable monsters. And I have a special guest joining me today—someone that knows way more about creating monsters than I do. His name is Ra…

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#140. First Chapter Analysis: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 57:02

5M ago57:02

57:02

“We need to advance the plot and we need to develop the character. When you can marry the two, you have a strong scene.” - Abigail K. Perry We’re taking a deep dive into Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter of the third book of The Hunger Games trilogy to see how…

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Sidecar Leadership — with Jennifer Lai Stern 29:35

5M ago29:35

29:35

Leading from the “sidecar” is the best management strategy you haven’t heard of—until now. Host Adam Morgan chats with guest Jennifer Lai Stern, head of Brand Studio at PayPal, about her extensive industry experience and her favorite ways to lead creative teams with empathy as well as skill.By The Stoke Group - Adam Morgan

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#139: 5 Multi POV Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them) 21:09

5M ago21:09

21:09

Telling a story through multiple viewpoints can be a great way to create a more expansive (and objective) look at your characters, world, plot, and/or theme. But with each additional viewpoint character you add to your story, the more room there is for mistakes. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 most common multi POV mistakes writers make and how …

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#138: How To Manage Your Creative Anxiety With Rhonda Douglas 41:17

5M ago41:17

41:17

“Writing is a creative project. It's not an earthquake, but the thoughts and the worries can feel similar. If I can have a positive association or feel prepared for an earthquake, surely I can do that for writing.” - Rhonda Douglas Ever found yourself staring at the blank page, trying to write but unable to find the right words? You’re not alone! T…

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#137: 5 Tips For Writing Better Fiction (Even If You're Just Starting Out) 32:55

6M ago32:55

32:55

“Focus your pre-writing and drafting and revising efforts on the present moment of your story.” - Daniel David Wallace I asked five of my peers to share one of their favorite writing tips, and boy, did they deliver! Tune in to hear 5 editors and coaches talk about their favorite tip and why it’s so helpful. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:…

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The Three Pillars of Creativity — with Eph Cruz 36:42

6M ago36:42

36:42

From his work as a fashion designer and music manager to his current role as Director of Operations at Xfinity Creative, Ephraim “Eph” Gerard Cruz is no stranger to pursuing creative endeavors. As a lifelong collaborator and creative innovator, Eph shares how his three pillars of creativity — paycheck, passion, and playground — have paved the way f…

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#136: First Chapter Analysis: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 1:01:55

6M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

“Usually stakes start personal and they become public. That's a way of raising stakes, regardless of the genre.” - Savannah Gilbo We’re diving deep into Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Here's a…

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#135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA 42:24

6M ago42:24

42:24

“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.” - Gabriela Pereira In today’s episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for masteri…

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Top Creative Trends for 2024 26:17

6M ago26:17

26:17

In this special season five premiere of Real Creative Leadership, host Adam Morgan shares never-before-heard clips from previous guests who answer the question, “What trends are you seeing in 2024?” With insights on everything from hiring to AI, join this powerhouse digital roundtable and learn how to leverage powerful tools and strategies to make …

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#134: How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Productivity Tips For Writers 29:31

6M ago29:31

29:31

“It's really important to focus on the big picture story first and not worry about granular details that you can figure out later.” - Savannah Gilbo Get more done in less time, overcome procrastination, and become a master at time management with these 5 super simple productivity tips that I’ve been using daily for the last 10 years. Read the blog …

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#133: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (March 2024) 35:19

6M ago35:19

35:19

“Sometimes it's easy to take feedback to mean that your story's broken when it's not.” - Savannah Gilbo I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire work week! You’ll see how I plan my days, what projects I work on, what I learn from the writers I work with, and so much more! Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s incl…

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#132: First Chapter Analysis: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 1:07:26

7M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

“In stories that feel society dominant, is survival even worth it if you don't have freedom?” - Abigail K. Perry We’re taking a deep dive into The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Read the blog p…

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#131: 5 Steps To Start Planning Your Book Series 35:18

7M ago35:18

35:18

“The key to making books within a series work is to grow, escalate, and complicate the conflict and stakes from book to book.” - Savannah Gilbo A good book series allows readers to immerse themselves in a world and stay there. But how do you write a series that works? To start, here are 5 steps to help you start planning your book series. Read the …

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#130: How to Craft Romantic Chemistry & Tension Between Characters 25:55

7M ago25:55

25:55

“ Flat or boring characters who are underdeveloped are never going to light up a scene, no matter how many tricks you pull.” - Savannah Gilbo If you’re writing romance, the chemistry and tension between your characters can make or break your story. Let’s explore how to create romantic chemistry between two characters in an authentic and compelling …

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#129: Overcoming The Fear Of Marketing With Alexa Bigwarfe 44:02

7M ago44:02

44:02

“Work on being a better writer and work on your craft and the other stuff will follow. As long as you have a great book, marketing comes a lot easier.” - Alexa Bigwarfe In today’s brand-new episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Alexa Bigwarfe about how writers can overcome the fear of marketing their books and what you can do right now to kickst…

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#128: What Are Obligatory Scenes And Conventions? 19:22

8M ago19:22

19:22

“When a story doesn't include these key scenes and conventions of its genre, it's just not going to work.” - Savannah Gilbo Want a framework for your entire story? Learn what readers expect from a story like yours, and then use these obligatory scenes and conventions as a framework to craft a story that works. Read the blog post here! Here’s a prev…

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#127: First Chapter Analysis: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom 1:01:01

8M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

“It might seem strange to start a story with an ending, but all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.” - Abigail K. Perry In this episode, we’re talking about The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom to see how and why it works. Join Abigail K. Perry and me as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks o…

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#126: Save The Cat! Troubleshooting Common Plot Problems With Jessica Brody 41:52

8M ago41:52

41:52

“Every time you write something hard, it changes you as a writer, and it makes you a better writer.” - Jessica Brody Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jessica Brody where we talk about some of the most common mistakes writers make when outlining, writing, and editing their books using the “Save the Cat” method. Read the blog post here! Here's a…

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#125: Novel Writing Pitfalls: Don't Make These 5 Mistakes 26:25

8M ago26:25

26:25

“ The purpose of a first draft is not to come up with something that's perfect. Instead, the purpose is to explore your story and get it out of your head.” - Savannah Gilbo Transform your writing as I reveal 5 all-too-common mistakes that plague writers. Learn the savvy strategies to sidestep these blunders and discover my top-notch tips for rectif…

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#124: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 3) 30:05

9M ago30:05

30:05

“That's how much my writing's improved. But not just the writing, it's the ease. It's not a struggle when I sit down in front of the laptop to write. Everything just seems a lot easier.” - Morgan Schrock In today's episode, I reached out to some of my Notes to Novels Season 3 students and asked them to share the number one thing they learned about …

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