Mommy's Pen

A writer's notes on family

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Sue Campbell

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast – Season 5, Episode 1: The Cat, the Cash, the Leap, and the List

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New season, new format! Since my book, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List will be published on May 17, we decided to give you a preview by reading from it up to the first plot point.

The story has three main kid characters, Martha, Sanjay and Anand. Nora will be reading all the scenes that are in Martha’s point of view, and I’ll be reading the scenes for the other two characters. (Man, I wish Alma could read already because it would be so cool if she could read Anand’s parts.)

Preorder for the book will be available soon!

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 5, Episode 1: Chapter 1 of The Cat, the Cash, the Leap, and the List

Things we mention (or forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Chapter 1 is called “Arrivals” and it features Martha secretly adopting a pregnant cat just before her cousins show up for a six week visit.
  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material.

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one too!). 

Michelle Obama told me her whole life story

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I listened to the audio book version of Becoming in stolen moments. Usually after my youngest had fallen asleep or early in the morning when I was making lunches before the kids woke up.

This is a wonderful book for many reasons. I loved learning about her lower-middle class background, that her father suffered from multiple sclerosis, how she was a driven student who knew education was her path to a better life, and the adorable story of her meeting and falling in love with Barack. And — of course — I hung on her every word as she described their political lives, the racism they encountered, and the difference they tried to make. 

But the parts where I found myself nodding the most, where I felt closest to her, were when she described her life as a working mom: the love she had for her children, the need she had for meaningful work, and what it took to help her (sometimes) feel she was successful at both.

If you’ve been meaning to read this book, I urge you to make time for it. It’s well written and has great narrative drive, despite the fact that we know how it all turns out. 😉

The Mommy’s Pen Podcast: S4, E8: Harry Potter Series – Overarching Story Structure Breakdown

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This season we’re tackling one of the most beloved series of all time: Harry Potter.

We’ve completed the analysis of all seven books in the Harry Potter series so now we’re taking a look at the overarching structure of the entire series.

Finally, we talk about the term “allusion” and look forward to next season.

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 4, Episode 8: Harry Potter Series – Overarching Story Structure Breakdown

Things we mention (or forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • Story Fix for more details on the four act structure.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the Five Commandments.
  • Pottermore for all the glorious official content for Harry Potter.

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one too!). 

S4, E7: Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Full Story Structure Analysis

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This season we’re tackling one of the most beloved series of all time: Harry Potter.

In this episode, we look at the four-act structure of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, pointing out the first plot point, midpoint shift and second plot point.

Then we analyze the scene where Ron saves Harry from drowning while being strangled by a horcrux.

Finally, we talk about the term “epilogue.”

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 4, Episode 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Structure Analysis

Things we mention (or forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • Story Fix for more details on the four act structure.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the Five Commandments.
  • Pottermore for all the glorious official content for Harry Potter.

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one too!). 

Cover Reveal!

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After a few months of working with an incredibly talented designer named Maeve Norton, I’m delighted to reveal the cover for The Cat, The Cash, the Leap & the List!

Details on when you’ll actually be able to buy the book are coming soon!

S4, E6: Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince Full Story Structure Analysis

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This season we’re tackling one of the most beloved series of all time: Harry Potter.

In this episode, we look at the four-act structure of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, pointing out the first plot point, midpoint shift and second plot point.

Then we analyze the scene where Narcissa gets Snape to make the unbreakable vow to help Malfoy with this “task.” *SOB* 

Finally, we talk about the term “archetype.”

You can also listen using any number of podcast platforms and apps including Spotify, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts.

Show Notes:

Season 4, Episode 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Structure Analysis

Things we mention (or forget to mention) that you should check out:

  • Our mailing list! Sign up today and you’ll get cool subscriber only perks like bonus material and artwork, including an advance copy of my forthcoming novel, The Cat, the Cash, the Leap and the List.
  • Story Fix for more details on the four act structure.
  • Story Grid for all things related to the Five Commandments.
  • Pottermore for all the glorious official content for Harry Potter.

This post was lovingly sponsored by our Patreon supporters (you can become one too!).