The principles of powerful, artful storytelling haven’t changed.  But the means of evaluating them in play within a story certainly have.

Story Coaching 3.0 – An upgrade from the 2015 Program

Empower Your Process… like never before.

Four levels of analysis.
              Each facilitated by an enhanced, genre-specific Questionnaire that goes deep into your story and your vision for it.

Each setting a new standard of affordability and value.

Truly, a reinvention of the art of coaching a story toward excellence.

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Don’t spend thousands of dollars having your full manuscript evaluated, when a few dozen dollars gets you the exact same outcome and value.

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Save a year of your life writing a draft that was compromised out of the gate.

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Dramatically improve the chances of your full draft with a final evaluation of its most critical working parts.

Like an MRI for your story… this can save its life.”

“What’s a year of your time and a chance at greatness worth to you?   One session with Larry can save you a year of toil and put your story on the true path to publication.”
           –  Art Holcomb
 Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, story consultant and teacher

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Here’s what the very first user of the new Dramatic Arc Analysis program has to say about it…

“Wow, I am BLOWN AWAY by how good this is! I’m about halfway through the “first draft answers” and I’m amazed at the info you’re pulling out of me. Hurts so good! It is the most detailed, but succinct, interactive step-by-step forced look-in-the-mirror that all of us novices need, that I’ve ever seen. (And like most writerly dreamers, I have a large library of writing how-to books, including yours.)

And it’s ‘way too cheap, too.”
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The Changes – Effective 11-01-15

The story coaching process I use is completely original.  Thus, it becomes a work-in-progress.  This third evolution of the service/billing model has evolved from an unexpected, but in retrospect completely predictable observation.  I’m changing this to better serve my clients and streamline the process on both ends.  Allow me to elaborate.

First and foremost, you can get almost the same feedback that comes with a full manuscript analysis (less writing voice and scene writing), but at only a fraction of the cost.  In other words, the full viability of your story intentions, from concept and premise, then across the full arc of your narrative, can be culled out and analyzed either before or after you’ve written them… thus saving you months or even years of subsequent drafting.

Until now I’ve offered four levels of service, each of which accomplishes that goal: 1) the Concept/Premise Evaluation… 2) the Dramatic Arc Evaluation… 3) the Full Story Plan Analysis (with optional inclusion of up to 100 manuscript pages)… and 4) the Full Manuscript Analysis.  All well and good… in a perfect world.  But in the real world, the novel/screenplay writing proposition is a lot like singing an opera: the first step is to determine if you can carry a tune or create an arrangement – or even, if you can read music at all – or at least see how we can improve your performance at the most basic of levels.

What happens is this: people sign up for the Full Story Plan Analysis (a Questionnaire-driven analysis; this is not a full manuscript read, which is why it remains affordable), but it turns out the story is weak or broken at Square One, which is the Concept and/or Premise level.  If either of those are broken, nothing in the ensuing story plan can save it (that’s like putting frosting on a really lousy cake), or at best will, upon completion, work all that well.  Such a concept-weak story is like a car that won’t start, or cannot achieve a speed over 20 miles per hour.

A concept-rich premise is the engine of a story, especially within the genres (versus “literary fiction”). Which means your Concept and your Premise need to be optimized before we even consider the rest of the story.  And yet, if you’ve paid for a Full Story Plan or, wose, the Full Manuscript evaluation… well,  I think you  can see the problem here.

And it happens… a lot.

So I’m fixing this.

This is why the NFL has a Combine prior to the draft.  To see who has the tools (the best story elements) to play the game at the highest level.

From now on, I am encouraging (through pricing) a sequenced Full Story Plan Analysis experience, pricing each step separately (while offering a Bundled fee, as well, with a discount).  A “green light” (a passing grade) is required to graduate from each level onto the next available level (1. Concept/Premise Analysis… 2. Dramatic Arc Analysis… 3. Full Story Plan Analysis, with or without first quartile – through the First Plot Point – manuscript pages).

For Full Story Plan submissions that have not previously undergone those first two levels (the Concept/Premise Evaluation and the Dramatic Arc Analysis) – which remains available – a higher fee is in place, one that considers the extra work required to retool the preliminary steps along the way.

Either way – sequenced steps, or the most expensive dive-right-in full plan option – your story undergoes analysis at a fraction of the cost of a full manuscript read and evaluation.

This isn’t a strategy to increase my revenue (by requiring clients to purchase three plans when they simply want the whole enchilada looked at; fee increases at each level reflect value, based on feedback… too many clients have told me the service is worth more than I’m charging, and I’m all about the win-win).  I’ll adjust it all and make it equitable by offering two ways to opt-in.

To review:

This is the essence of story coaching – your story plan will evolve, level by level, in a manner that allows each submission to build upon a previous level that has been evaluated, upgraded and confirmed as ready… completely at your pace.

The option to include manuscript pages (the first quartile, or up to your First Plot Point) remains available for the Full Story Plan Evaluation under all three fee options.

 

Here is the new pricing:

Feel free to use the Paypal buttons on the home page (left column) or those shown below.  Or if you prefer, you can send a check directly: Larry Brooks, Storyfix.com, 10015 E. Mountain View Road, #1037, Scottsdale AZ, 85258.  Feel free to email me with questions.

This is how to make sure you’ve got it right.  

Doing this will likely significantly reduce your time-t0-market by eliminating the number of drafts required, while enhancing your ability to determine if you’re done, or not (because I’ll tell you if you’re not)… as well as simply shooting for and reaching a higher qualitative bar in the process.  If your submission needs more work, one revision cycle per level is included in the fee.

A quick word for self-published authors: this coaching may actually be even more valuable for you.

Because if you manage to land an agent or a publisher (this process serves that goal, as well, and in a big way), they will give you any feedback required (less of it, I would guess) to further optimize your story, or move it toward their own liking.  Without such feedback – from me, or an agent – you’re on your own.  Work with me and I’ll give you better and more specific and actionable feedback than any agent or editor you’ll encounter out there.

The Questionnaires

Each level of analysis includes its own customized Questionnaire (your take on the various elements of the story, as defined and prompted by the Questionnaire) as the baseline story-delivery vehicle.  You will be challenged to define and support your intentions – there’s no hiding from this, given the nature of the questions – for various story elements and structural milestones within the context of the level you’re in. (If you choose to include an outline – beyond what is requested in the Questionnaire – or even actual manuscript pages, an up-charge will be agreed upon, based on word-count.

The Questionnaire and the Welcome Letter for each level include many links to TUTORIALS that help you wrap your head around the concepts and essences that comprise the storytelling experience.

In that context, each level becomes as much a tool in the story DEVELOPMENT process as it is useful as a story evaluation.  Many clients realize they’ve received their money’s worth just by having the Questionnaire, even before responding to it.

Overview of The Four Levels of Analysis

Level 1 – The Quick Hit Concept Analysis… $79 

Your Concept is what fuels your story.

Your Premise is the Engine that thrives on that fuel.

Concept and Premise are to blame for at least half of the rejections that occur among newer writers.  The core story itself, even with stellar execution, may not strong enough at it’s core to move an agent or editor to say yes.

It’s one of the most common of many ways to weaken a story, even if you write like John Updike (depending on genre, not always a good thing).  You can’t write your way out of this, correction is required at the highest level of conceptual intention.  In many cases writers don’t even understand what a concept is, or  how it differs from premise.

This is a story-killer, one you can now avoid.

This service examines your concept and premise in context to the key criteria for a compelling story (delivered to you via links), and suggests a direction for revision if necessary.

Hands down, this is the most dramatic price-to-value service in the history of story coaching.  Even if you engage only with this singular, preliminary level of evaluation, your odds of success go up dramatically.

Turnaround is 3 to 7 days (unless notified otherwise).  If you’d like a 24-hour rush on this level, elect the $99 fee option.

See Paypal button on the Home Page for payment access

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Level 2 – The Dramatic Arc Analysis… $129

 

A premise is a promise made to the reader.

The dramatic arc is the means to fulfillment of that promise.

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Premise is a make or break proposition.  It creates the context, content and direction for the story itself across all four contextual arcs of delivery.

If the premise is weak, it’s almost impossible to elevate it through structural execution and even stellar character depth.  And yet, even if the premise is strong, a weak dramatic execution can rob it of its inherent potential.  You need both – premise and execution across the dramatic arc – for a story to truly stand out.  And if the premise is fueled by something conceptual, it is even that much stronger.

The dramatic arc of your story is something that can be identified, isolated and analyzed for narrative and structural power.  This level of analysis uses a customized Questionnaire about your intentions for the execution of your premise, leading to feedback that can either rescue or elevate that plan, or at least affirm it if indeed it already glows in the dark.

Under the Bundled program, writers must qualify for the Dramatic Arc Analysis through having first completed the Concept/Premise level  evaluation, and any revisions called for.  Otherwise, it’s like trying to start the vehicle without knowing if you have any fuel in the tank.   Normal turnaround for this level is one week.

If you wish to skip the pre-requisite Concept Premise Analysis, you may opt in to the Dramatic Arc Analysis directly, but at a higher fee ($179).

For 24-hour Rush service, add $50 to the basic fee under either option.

See Paypal button on the Home Page for payment access.  If your configuration of options isn’t shown there, go to Paypal to send the proper fee to: storyfixer@gmail.com

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Level 3  – The Full Story Plan Review… $245 after completion of the first two levels…

Concept and premise are only the beginning. When they aren’t the beginning, both must be retrofitted into a story developed without them.  And that is orders of magnitude more difficult and risky to try.

The dramatic arc of your story is where the promise made by your premise comes front and center as the spine of your story, and then is executed across the full arc of the story.  That arc includes eight major story milestones supporting four sequential contextual narrative sections… all of which can be identified and analyzed, either as your intention or as a summary of what you’ve already written.

While the Dramatic Arc focused on the First Plot Point moment in your story (the most important moment in your story), there needs to be a strong and evocative Full Story Plan across there subsequent quartiles and at least five more (later) major story milestones that ensure the promise and potential of the concept, premise and dramatic arc have been executed and fully fulfilled.

This level of evaluation looks at the major moving parts, connections and narrative layering as part of an overall story architecture, with a view toward optimizing character, dramatic tension, pace and the reading experience. (Submissions over 4000 words may entail additional fee; the Questionnaire for this level covers the requisite ground, extra explanation often results when the author feels more is required, which usually indicates a softness in the answer to begin with… something the analysis and feedback will identify without any further explanation.)  The Full Story Plan is the vehicle used to optimize the “physics” of your story – how well it works for the reader – in terms of dramatic tension, pace, character arc, vicarious reading experience and narrative strategy.

Again, the Full Story Plan Analysis is the third of three steps, and is included in the Bundled price ($395).  If you have previously completed (including requested revisions) the first two levels (Concept/Premise, and Dramatic Arc), the fee for this level is $245.

If you choose to access the Full Story Plan Analysis directly, without having completed the first two levels, the fee is $545.

Normal turnaround for the Full Story Plan is two weeks or less.  For 48-hour Rush service, add $100 to the basic fee (by choosing the proper button in the Paypal drop-down menu for this level).

See Paypal button on the Home Page for payment access.

Add 1st Quartile Manuscript Pages (approx. 100 pages, up to the story’s First Plot Point) for an additional $395, which correlates to the fee for a full manuscript read, at $1600; find this option in the Paypal drop-down menu for this level.

This facilitates an analysis of voice, flow and exposition, which are in themselves story-killers if not done well.  They are also imprecise (unlike structure) and a matter of taste… but at the most essential level, a level of professionalism is required.  Bad writing trumps a  good story every time… but a good story often trumps “average” writing (among professionals), as well.

Rush service for the Full Story Plan evaluation with pages (48 hours) adds $250 to the basic fee.

See Paypal Button for this level on the Home Page.

Level 4 – Full Manuscript Analysis (with Questionnaire)…. (see below)*

I also offer traditional full draft analysis at an accessible fee that is far below comparable market standards.  The fee (for projects of 70K to 100K words; variances are negotiated) of $2250 includes assessment across twelve critical story elements and variables (the six core competencies of storytelling, and the six realms of story power, also known as “story physics“). Other word counts are a negotiated fee.  Email me to arrange scheduling and payment.  Normal turnaround for a Full Manuscript read and evaluation is 30-days.  For a 10-day Rush, add $500 to the basic fee.

Use the Paypal button for this level (see Home Page), or send a check directly to: Larry Brooks, Storyfix.com, 10015 E. Mountain View Road, #1037, Scottsdale AZ 85258.

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All quoted fees are subject to revision at any time, with new posted amounts taking precedence over previously quoted amounts.  Any special promotional pricing available only during the quoted time window for that promotion.

Comments from (and about) Storyfix-Coached Writers

(Concerning a published novel coached by Larry Brooks):

“This is the absolutely best work of fiction about virtual reality that I have ever read. The blurring of the line between reality and virtual reality has never been more powerfully displayed in anything I have read.” – Rhetta Akamatsu, Reviewer at Blog Critics Magazine

“Overall, it had more action, less vacillation from the protagonist, and was a stronger and more engaging story. I was caught up in it enough that I actually cried when Serge died – and that was a big change from my reaction to the characters the first time around. Congratulations to the author and editors for polishing up the story line and characters and making the book more irresistible.”

“I’m not sure what sort of voodoo magic (the author) pulled out for this edit/rewrite, but OH MY GOODNESS, this is like a completely different book! I just cannot wrap my head around how far this book came from the original ARC I received; it’s jaw-dropping astounding!”

“I’d definitely recommend this updated version to lovers of sci fi/fantasy, headstrong and independent characters, and fascinating complex plots! There’s still that touch of dystopian that keeps it well-within that genre…but it no longer screams “just like all the others.” It’s unique, well-written, and concussive in its explorations. I’m SO glad I gave it a re-read!”

“This is like a TOTALLY different book!; awesome plot line; independent and strong-willed characters that make sense; everything has a purpose and is in its rightful place; no more info dumps!; I actually WANT to read book two now.”

“I am totally rewriting my review because the second version I received was such an improvement.”

” The character of (hero) is presented in a way that makes it much easier to like her and yearn for her to succeed. She retains the vulnerability of the previous version, but has more determination and inner strength. The information about the background of the characters and her involvement in animal rights movements was an interesting addition.; it made her seem much less of a helpless female.”

Return to the Home page HERE.

 

98 Responses

  1. This new website look is smashing! Congrats.
    The post that came to as email to my computer did not carry the same design or graphics . . . just wondering if it’s supposed to.

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  3. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all
    of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking for. Would
    you offer guest writers to write content available for you?
    I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome blog!

  4. I believe everything said made a great deal of sense.
    But, what about this? what if you composed a catchier title?
    I am not saying your information is not solid.
    , however suppose you added a headline that grabbed folk’s attention? I mean Story Coaching – The $100 Level is a little vanilla. You ought to peek at Yahoo’s front page and note how they write news
    titles to get people interested. You might add a related video or a related picture or two to get people
    excited about what you’ve got to say. In my opinion, it could make your posts a little livelier.

  5. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of
    plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has
    a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  6. If you are considering having Larry do a structure analysis of your story, my advice is to DO IT. I recently received my analysis back from Larry, and if you read his response, you would likely say, “Why in the world would you recommend this? He ripped your story apart. You must be devastated.” Actually, I’m very pleased. I made some mistakes (well, a lot), and Larry set me on the right path. Here’s the primary mistake I made: I had my story long before I discovered Story Engineering. I tried to shoe horn my story into the four quadrants, selecting scenes that I thought fit the core competencies. I started with my story, when I should have started with assuring I had a compelling concept (I thought I did, nope, it’s weak). My story was doomed from the start. My advice if you sign up, is to not make the mistake I made. Start with the principles Larry teaches, and build from there. Don’t try to fit your story to the competencies, without 1) making sure you have a compelling concept, and 2) the plot points and pinch points cause a change, establish a mission, create a goal, move the story forward. All this is covered in Story Engineering and on this site, but it is easy to be too close to your story and go at it from the wrong direction. Consider that what you are attempting to structure may need to be rethought.

  7. Dear Larry and readers…

    The story engineering book was my number-one read out of a hundred ‘how to’ books ordered from Amazon on everything from characterization to plot summary to emotional stimulation, structure , outlining, writing a novel, etc; Larry takes you from start to finish and pretty much covers all the bases, with a voice that makes it hard to put down the book. It was not a hard read at all! Very inspiring and very helpful. I went ahead and plunged in with my $100 because, well, so far the lessons learned have been astronomical. I’m trying not to make this sound like a commercial for Larry but I can’t get over how helpful he has been for me. Even that questionnaire, at first, seemed repetitive from the engineering book, but I went ahead and have been doing it 100%, and guess what? It helped me fill in blanks in the book by answering all the questions; after skipping questions I went back and forced myself to answer all the questions and the ones I had skipped opened up doorways that patched up my plot, just through the nature of how the questions were asked. So again, I tip my hat to you sir, and look forward to submitting my work for feedback, which I am sure will be inspiring as well. Thanks again,

    Dave

  8. Larry, I just read about your $100 ‘ticket’ offer and couldn’t be more excited. I am an unapologetic wanna be writer who knows a golden opportunity when she sees it. I will gladly/definately take you up on the offer. Thank you so much!

  9. I really liked this post. I have finished a novel, had it professionally edited and am not working on marketing it. I am trying to learn all I can about the process. This is harder than teaching. I am so glad I am retired.

  10. I have finished the Larry Brooks Coaching Adventure! I just want to say that it was easily worth at least four times more than what I paid A) for time it saved me and B) for the increased confidence I have in my story now as I continue with my rough draft. Thanks Larry!

  11. I think this is brilliant and if I wasn’t already working with an editor, I’d jump on it. You’ve changed how I write for the better in so many ways I can’t possibly list them all and I know that anyone who signs up for your new venture will have awesome insights into their books, their writing and themselves as writers — not just for one book but for the remainder of their careers. Keep us posted on how it’s working for you and what you’re learning from the experience.

    Looking forward to your next book, fiction and nonfiction!

  12. First– AGREED, mindy sitton-halleck!!

    Uh– does the above poser–erm, sorry… poster condescend much or what?? I have yet to find a ounce of chaff among Larry’s newsletters, if one has but the wit to absorb it. And I say that any so-called “seasoned writer” that is not yet published (and even many who are) should be more than happy to avail themselves of these services.
    As one of the “wanna-bes” mentioned above.. I’m happy to have that jackhammer in place.

    Anyway- Just signed up for the new program, and am thrilled to pieces! Larry’s ideas have changed the way I think about writing forever, and I can’t wait to get some insight from the man himself!!

  13. I’m sorry but I just had to comment on a post above; I find it interesting that someone felt the need to insult Larry’s services and then ask for his help. He’s a big guy and can take the hit, but I just had to remark on the condescending note regarding the note sender’s expertise as a ‘self published’ author and comments like, “As I see it, your primary genius as an advisor is with wannabe writers who need to have the basics of storytelling pounded into their obtuse heads with a jackhammer” Statements like that insult both Larry and his readers. There are more gracious ways to ask for help. Just sayin’.

  14. I was thrilled to see you offering this. I can’t wait to have your eyeballs on my outline. My only question is how long you expect to offer this. While this is a terrific offer at a great price, I’ve had very little work lately, so it’s hard to justify any expense at this point. I hope to have some money coming in soon, and I’ll be able to jump on this. I just don’t want to miss the opportunity.
    Thanks for all your hard work!

  15. Great idea, Larry. Now whenever I actually get something going (a novel centering around procrastination, perhaps?), I’ll know where to come.
    thanks as always

  16. hi larry, great getting your newsletter this am. altho I am devastated that fareed is not on cnn (plagiarism) your newsletter was a pick me up. put me on your list, I’m getting my paypal started.
    feedback on willamette sessions: I LOVED your style. I like to say you speak like a machine gun, spitting out bullets of ideas, while I’m in the front row scribbling like crazy, grabbing what I can. Your motivational speaker style jacked me up and got my juice running. thanks for your energy.
    I knew I wanted to analyze my pile of words (my ms) but didn’t have any tools. thanks to your toolbox I’ve been boring into my story mechanics these past several days with post-its and your big tent handout. I think I’ve already started the analysis, following your “Questions you must ask….” handout.

  17. Hi Larry – It was wonderful to sit down this morning relaxing with my first cup of coffee in my robe and terry flip flops enjoying every morsel of your newsletter. But now I feel like it’s Black Friday and need to get dressed! I’m getting in line as early as I can and order the questionaire today. Even though your last feedback has been very helpful – I’m still early in my structure part to get clarification on it all. I know the questionaire will save me time in the long run.

  18. Hello Larry,
    Sorry to hear about the foot. Gives butt-in-chair a whole new meaning.
    I am finalizing my manuscript to send out to some agents that I met at the PNWA meeting three weeks ago.
    Your offer is a perfect opportunity to help with this process. Count me in for the limited review. It sounds like a great deal and I’m not in a hurry. I want to do this right.
    Meantime, heal, baby, heal.

  19. I wondered what happened to you. I must have missed that you intended to decrease the number of your hyperactive newsletters. I tend to be a determined plodder and stand in awe of your prodigious literary output. However, I find it difficult to separate chaff from grain in your newsletters. The sheer amount of verbiage, clever as it is, sometimes obscures the point you make.

    For example, the latest rant about writers claiming not to pre-know their story endings is a study in semantics. I’m one of those writers who makes no formal outline, but outlines in his head, AND I actually live the story in my head, for months or however long it takes, revising the storyline where necessary as I go along (plus many overall revisions when the work is complete). I do not know the specific ending of a story, but I have a general idea of its direction, and I do, at times, have the feeling that the story is writing itself through the characters becoming real in my head. Bottom line? Each writer has his/her own process. Whatever works for that person is fine. If it’s NOT working, change it. That’s where your process analysis can be helpful.

    As I see it , your primary genius as an advisor is with wannabe writers who need to have the basics of storytelling pounded into their obtuse heads with a jackhammer. I’m a more seasoned writer, with two self-published books, and a third completed manuscript forty years in the making, but my marketing skills are extremely weak. I need to stop writing and start selling (blogs, query letters, etc. for my third book, a memoir). My question is this: Do you critique all genres? Or, do you specialize in the more popular, formulaic ones, like romance, mystery, etc.?

    My first book of original humorous vignettes was an experiment, the second antebellum historical novel, UNDER THE LION’S PAW, is available on Amazon and Kindle. The third manuscript, UNITY OF OPPOSITES: A Memoir of Social and Spiritual Rebirth (spiritual in the sense of all-inclusive religious views) is in need of a traditional publisher, if possible. I would like your opinion on a synopsis and/or chapter outline and/or query letter, along with agent referrals for this type of memoir, if possible and, most important, a referral to a marketing specialist I can trust (many advertise online, but I can’t trust them to provide what they claim to offer).

    I trust YOUR expertise, Larry, but do not know if it includes critiquing of a memoir, although this one does employ ficition techniques, like dialogue and fast-pacing. And I doubt if you provide agent or marketing referrals, but no harm in asking (I have agent Paula Balzar, affiliated with Writers Digest, in mind to query first, but I need to make the story as perfect as possible before I begin the query process).

    Sincerely,

    Shaughn Marlowe
    1214 Puerto Rico Av.
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    smarlowe@bajabb.com
    575-434-8850
    e

  20. Hi Larry, Many thanx for latest post. Absolutely GREAT as is your norm. So sorry ab yr ankle. Get well soon. Pse book me in for the full manuscript enchilada. Take care.

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