I would like to thank the many people who have helped make this book possible, especially Andrea Hurst, my agent, and Rachel Randall, my eagle-eyed editor at Writer’s Digest Books. Also, my many talented writer friends, who have kept me focused and positive in the midst of the eternal debate about how to write stories: Martha Miller, Sue Bronson, Mary Andonian, and over 6000 Storyfix.com readers who never let me forget that this stuff works. And, of course, my family, especially my wife, Laura, my son, Nelson, and the clan Mattern, for your love and unconditional support when the story isn’t working.