Athena Critique Services

I was visiting a writing friend who wanted me to try the frozen custard that was famous in her neighborhood. We told our daughters that we were going out to do some “research” and invited them to come along.

We weren’t lying. Tasting ice cream, watching folks herd their children and listening to the hubbub of the busy ice cream stand help us write better.

All you have to do is pay attention to what is going on around you. Everything we take in with our senses is valuable information. Don’t forget to also (more…)

Spring is nearly here and you’d think the cold and flu season would be behind us. But for some reason, I’ve noticed a lot of my online writing friends are reporting illnesses. Theirs or their kids. Sometimes having a sick kid is even worse than being sick yourself. The writing goes onto the back burner and you’re not sure if that burner is even firing.

What to do? How do you write when you just don’t feel like writing? (more…)

What makes people keep turning the page?

There are several answers to that question. In part it depends on the reader. But one important thing the writer must keep in mind is that the level of a reader’s interest will be directly related to how much the hero or heroine has to lose.

This fact hit me again recently as I was watching the TV show Cane. I admit, I’m hooked and it isn’t just because Jimmy Smits is one of the hottest guys on TV. (more…)