Do you want more imagination in your writing?

Published on April 28, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

I do!

I think that is probably the worst thing anyone could say about my writing is that it’s unimaginative. That it needs more imagination. That it’s hard to see, to envision or whatever.

Guess you’ve figured out what my word for the A-Z Challenge and the letter is:

U=Unimaginative

un·im·ag·i·na·tive

adjective meaning – not readily using or demonstrating the use of the imagination; stolid and somewhat dull.

uninspired, uninventive, unoriginal, uncreative, commonplace, pedestrian,mundane, institutional, ordinary, routine, matter-of-fact, humdrum,workaday, run-of-the-mill, by-the-numbers, hackneyed, trite, hoary

Well, you get the idea.

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I don’t know about you, but if someone called my writing unimaginative, I’d probably give up writing altogether. Or at least, until I recovered from my hangover.

Imagination isn’t my problem. It’s showing that imagination in story form.

A story is pictures made of words.

You guys have taught me a lot about using words to paint a story. Thus saving my poor readers from pages filled with dull, boring and unimaginative letters.

Lessons learned:

Don’t rely just on adverbs. Could end up all purple.
Don’t rely just on adjectives. Ditto with number one.
Nouns and verbs can paint a vivid picture too. And anchors the reader doing double duty.
Sometimes less is more. Remember TMI (too much information.) Not every sneeze, look, shrug and smile must be recorded.
Colorful language doesn’t always translate into a colorful story. Make sure the hell bells, and fuck that’s fit the story.
Pretend you’re describing a scene to an alien. Would they understand what’s happening?

So let me ask…

What other tips can you give me to avoid writing unimaginative prose?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Great reading dead ahead!

Imagination with Powerful Descriptions by Creative Writing Now

Fiction Craft and Story by Rachelle Gardner

Writing: Where Less Can Be More by JAMI GOLD

PS

Almost Ready

Coming Soon! (1)

How to find the right title for your novel

Published on April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

No? Me neither.

But, with the help of a lot of wonderful bloggers and writers who post “how-to” info, I’m getting better at understanding what makes a good title.

My word for the A-Z Challenge and the letter T is:

T=Title

Over the past year, I’ve read a lot about titles and to be honest, I think I chose the wrong one for Tryouts for Ben. It was number five or six in a long list of working titles. But by the time that little book was ready I couldn’t decide and I all but flipped a coin. Not a good way to pick a final title.

So, how do you pick a good title for a book?

Most writers start with a working title, and usually as the story progresses other titles begin to emerge. Or so I’ve heard.

Other writers, probably more seasoned pros, know at the on-set just the perfect title. That would not be me. Just in case you were wondering.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a title is worth much more.

Whether shopping at B&N, browsing the stacks at the library or scanning Amazon for something to read, the first thing I read is the title. I often reject a book based on the title.

Your title is the first hook of your book.

Doesn’t matter if it’s a romance novel, thriller or children’s book, the title is the first words of your book a person reads.

Okay, just what have I learned this past year?

As always, I still try to learn from my mistakes. (Ben)
Research is important for the title too.
A title should peak the reader’s curiosity. Get their attention.
It needs to give the reader an idea of what’s inside the cover.
Don’t get locked in with the “working title.”
Look inside the story for words, phrases or names that might serve as a title.
Don’t try to be too clever.
Try the title out on friends and family. Some will like it, others won’t but listen to the why of both.

For your reading pleasure, head to the bottom of this post and find out more about picking the best possible title for your book.

How do you pick a title?

Do you have any suggestions on picking a better book title?

Do tell!

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PICKING THE PERFECT BOOK TITLE by Tucker Max

4 Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing A Title For Your Book by Karen Woodward

ADVENTURES IN TITLING by Kate Kearns

How to write a good story

Published on April 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Or tell a good story–

What’s the difference?

One makes you a writer the other is…

My letter for the A-Z Challenge

S= Storytelling

To me telling a story is easier than writing one. And because I enjoyed telling stories I thought writing stories would be a cinch.

Well, I’ve learned the joke was on me.

Yep, after reading the many great writers and bloggers floating around on the web, I realized how little I knew about writing.

I wasn’t even sure I understood the English language. Somewhere I evidently missed a class or a dozen.

At least, Y’all weren’t into shaming and finger-pointing. Instead, you stepped up, taught and encouraged me as well as any other writer who asked for help.

So what did I learn about storytelling?

Telling a story is easier than writing a story. Telling a ghost story as you sit around a campfire is different that writing a ghost story on paper. For one thing, it’s harder to scare the pee out of a group of third graders without a flashlight.
I gotta have a theme. But leave the preaching the Reverend at First Baptist. If my readers want a sermon, they’ll attend church not read my book.
A good plot equals good action. However, that doesn’t mean I need to blow the hell out of everybody that doesn’t get shot. Just means a story needs to move forward and wrap up satisfactorily .
Know my characters – intimately. So much so, that by the time my book is ready for publication I’m sick of them. Why? Because if I don’t know and understand my characters, how can I expect the readers to understand them?
I better know what the hell I’m writing about, and where the story is going, especially if I want to explain these things to my reader.

One last thing.

If you enjoy listening to books on tape check out these online Storytelling blogs as a way to get back in touch with the art of storytelling.

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Below are links to read more tips on better reading your way to better writing.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.