Marissa chats with Nick Brooks about his debut middle grade novel - NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT - as well as keeping things interesting for yourself by exploring new genres and mediums, knowing that every type of writing you experiment with - from film to music to books - can make you a better storyteller; one great takeaway from film school - "the plant and the payoff" - and why it is an effective technique to both impress your readers and help them feel more connected to the story; how story structure is largely intuitive, but the tools in your writing toolkit can be strengthened through formal education and studying the craft; a few elements to consider when developing an extraterrestrial or non-human species; fighting to be seen as a creator, and then facing impostor's syndrome once you are there; and some different ways to care for yourself while balancing a busy professional and family life.

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