Athena Critique Services

Permission to Forward

January 19-30: “Show – Don’t Tell” with multi-published author Flo Fitzpatrick
Are your characters spending too much time explaining, telling, thinking,
feeling, musing, wondering or debating? Let’s turn those “tell” sentences into
“showstoppers!”

Join Flo Fitzpatrick for a fun workshop that will rev up your writing
by emphasizing action, body language and dialogue as techniques for portraying
your characters’ thoughts and feelings.

$20.00 (limit 25 participants)
To register or find out more about Athena Critique Services visit
http://www.athenacrits.com or e-mail info @ athenacrits.com (no spaces)

Workshop with multi-published author, Teresa Bodwell
January 5-16
Every action scene needs to be Deep, Descriptive and Dynamic. Layers of emotion give the scene depth. The action must be clear and definite to carry the readers along for the ride. Finally, the scene must be energetic and forceful. Dynamic scenes create a reality that keeps the reader turning pages.

$20.00 (includes comments on action scenes from your WIP)

To register or find out more fill in our contact form.

October 20-31
Instructors: Sophia Johnson, Flo Fitzpatrick and Teresa Bodwell

Most readers (including agents and editors) make their buying decision in the first few pages. Using examples from first sales and bestsellers, participants will learn what makes a great opening hook and ending hook. Writing assignments include the opening paragraph, first page, five pages and the first chapter.

Register now by filling out our contact form.
Class size is limited.

Cost: $30 (for comments from 3 instructors)

Hook’em and Hold’em Oct 20-31

Legal Issues For Writers Nov 3-14

3-D Action Scenes Jan 5-16

Show–Don’t Tell Jan 19-30

Creating the Yummy Hero Feb 2-13

Dialogue: Feb 16-27

April 20-May 1 “Batter Up!” Pitching Your Work on Paper and in Person

What’s in a name?

Every writer knows that having the right name for your characters is crucial. But how do you find that name? Sometimes a name just comes to me. It sounds right. It fits the character. But often I have to search.

I’ve used various baby books with some success. These can help you decide if the meaning of the name works and they often give you some idea of ethnicity. I finally found the The Writer’s Digest Character Naming Sourceook by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I love the book. It is sorted by ethnic origin and very detailed in its definitions. But it is a book and searching is somewhat limited. I wanted a searchable database.

Enter Muse Names from Muse Creations Software. I’ve been using this software for several months now and I love it. You can enter a name and find the meaning, ethnic origin, numerology and “soul urge.” You can also look up a name by meaning. Want a male name that means powerful? Enter “powerful” in the meaning blank, click mail and “Go!”. You’ve hit 146 names. You can limit these to the 17 that contain the letter “k” or th 14 that begin with the letter “m”. Or you can find the 2 Danish or 9 Teutpnic names that mean “powerful.” You get the idea. It’s a database, so there are lots of ways to search.

Often when I’m searching for just the right name, I find other names I like that don’t fit the character I have in mind. The software allows you to create a “Favorites” list. I use this list to store those names I think I may want to use in the future.

Download a free trial of Muse Names at: http://www.musecreations.com/software.html