LEITER WRITING TIPS #2 —A PET-THE-CAT MOMENT
[Suggestions, observations, and advice, writing as Ben Leiter]
Writers understand the “pet the dog” moment, where the protagonist performs an act of kindness towards an animal, or a vulnerable person which demonstrates his humanity and IDs him as a good guy. It creates a positive vibe with reader and protagonist.
In THE WANTED, by Robert Crais, the protagonist, Elvis Cole, takes time out to feed his cat despite the immediate pressures of fending off the bad guys. Cole observes the cat examining his meal.
[…He watched the foam, then lowered his nose, and lapped.
“Not too much. You might have to drive.”
When you live with a cat, you talk to the cat.
When he finished the beer he looked at me. ]
Ben Leiter 