Before my first trial I felt like I was going to throw up. My palms sweated. My thoughts raced. I'd argued more times than I could count in front of judges, including in appellate courts. But not in front of a jury.
To calm me down, my trial partner reminded me that it was low stakes. Our client had already served 18 months in prison while awaiting trial. That was the longest he'd need to serve if the jury found him guilty.
In other words, either way he was being released this week.
W...
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writing
War Zone S1 E20 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In War Zone (S1 E20 of Angel), Angel gets in the middle of a war between vampires and street kids who hunt vampires, led by new character Charles Gunn. Along with the recap of War Zone, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) how well the origin story for new character Gunn works as a twentieth episode of Angel the series; (2) ways the plot and subplots connect through theme more than story; (3) how much practical reality should your fantasy hero deal with? and (4) the episode rating ...
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Story Ties, Themes And Terrible Mothers
Most novelists have themes that turn up over and over in their fiction. It's part of why readers return to their books again and again. Stephen King often includes groups of outcast kids who must band together to fight evil, evil lurking beneath the surface of small-town life, and the role of faith in both evil and the fight against evil. And, as these examples make clear, good vs. evil overall.
At first I didn’t recognize many common themes in my own novels.
Common Themes, Very Different No...
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Five By Five (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In Five By Five (S1 E18 of Angel), Angel strives to stop Faith after Wolfram & Hart hires her to assassinate him. Along with the recap of Five By Five, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) Angel and Wesley arcing in opposite directions; (2) creating a tightly written, interweaving plot and subplot; (3) themes expressed through conflict and action; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10.
New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/desperate
Do...
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Who Are You Revisited (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In Who Are You (S1 E16 of Buffy), Faith makes a desperate bid to survive, devastating Buffy, in the second of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles–and Angel. Along with the recap of Who Are You, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) is Faith both protagonist and antagonist? (2) weaving the season arc (about Adam) seamlessly into the Faith/Buffy main plot; (3) external obstacles that show Faith's internal conflict; and (4) how the body switching metaphor ...
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This Year’s Girl Rerelease (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In This Year's Girl (S1 E15 of Buffy), Faith awakens from a coma in the first of two episodes that eventually lead to her visiting Los Angeles--and Angel. Along with the recap of This Year's Girl, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) telling the story and building character through setting and objects; (2) the opposite of Show Don’t Tell – powerful scenes and moments we don’t see; (3) strong conflict that conveys exposition without slowing the pace; and (4) who is the protagonist? ...
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Eternity S1 E17 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In Eternity (S1 E17 of Angel), Angel is drawn to a popular actress he saves from a stalker, and when she learns his secret it could be deadly for everyone. Along with the recap of Eternity, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) whether Angel or the actress is the protagonist; (2) does the humor break Cordelia's character? (3) is this really how Angel's curse works? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10.
New Release by Lisa M. Lilly, The Desperate Man: https://lisalilly.com/de...
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The Ring S1 E16 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In The Ring (S1 E16 of Angel), a missing person case leads to Angel being enslaved by gamblers running a gladiator-like boxing ring of demons. Along with the recap of The Ring, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) themes of found family and leadership; (2) foreshadowing twists; (3) Cordelia and Wesley grow - separately and together; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10.
Try The Awakening (Book 1) by Lisa M. Lilly free at https://lisalilly.com/free/
Download free Story St...
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The Prodigal S1 E15 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In The Prodigal (S1 E15 of Angel), Angel is haunted by visons from his past as he investigates Kate’s father, potentially changing her life forever. Along with the recap of The Prodigal, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) flashbacks that tell their own story; (2) themes about humanity; (3) is Wesley still a Watcher at heart? and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10.
Try The Awakening (Book 1) by Lisa M. Lilly free at https://lisalilly.com/free/
Download free Story Structur...
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I’ve Got You Under My Skin S1 E14 (Buffy and the Art of Story Podcast – Angel)
In I've Got You Under My Skin (S1 E14 of Angel), the team tries everything, including an exorcism, to help a family plagued by an ancient demon. Along with the recap of I've Got You Under My Skin, this podcast episode focuses on:
(1) generic vs. layered characters; (2) what the soul means in the Buffyverse; (3) false and surprise endings; and (4) the episode rating from 0 to 10.
Get The Awakening (Book 1) free at https://lisalilly.com/free/
Download free Story Structure wor...
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