Jean M. Cogdell

Do you need to find more Cyber Monday sales?

Published on November 30, 2015June 7, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Books make great gifts and many authors are offering big savings this Cyber Monday.

Check out the links below for bargains!

If you have a Cyber Monday deal going leave a comment!

30% off at Hudson Books!

Books for everyone, every age. Holiday Gift Guide!

Ebook Deal! Today Only: The Biggest Kindle Daily Deal of the Year – Up to 85% Off Over 800 Titles

Biggest Amazon Ebook Cyber sale!

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Give the gift that keeps on giving. Cyber Monday Kindle Unlimited 40% off!

Pick the age, from infant to 12 and get a Cyber Monday Deal on kids books!

At Barnes and Noble get 25%-70% off books and toys!

Are you participating in a Cyber Monday sale? Do tell!

Spread the word and let us know in the comments section.

You can find me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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How did you do in this year’s race?

Published on November 30, 2015November 29, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

The November race to the finish!

Congratulations to all of you who ran and finished the NaNoWriMo race.

This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but well, shit happens as does the holidays.

However, I so admire all of those who not only attempted, but finished over 50,000 words in just 30 days.

Wow! Way to go everyone!

Some think it’s an amazing exercise in productivity. Others like LAURA MILLER over at Salon.com thinks it’s a waste of time and energy. She contends that the writer will be disappointed in the quality of what is produced.

Ellen Scott for Metro.co.uk wrote 27 things every NaNoWriMo writer needs to know.

Hmm, maybe next year I’ll… Nope, probably won’t happen.

So have there been NaNoWriMo successes? You bet!

Ellen Scott for Metro.co.uk also lists 7 successful NaNoWriMo projects that went on to become NYT Best Sellers.

And some of my favorite books too! Like Wool, Cinder, and Water for Elephants.

Hmm, maybe I’ll think about next year.

So what about you? Did you participate in NaNoWriMo this year? How did it go? Are you happy with what you produced?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Leave a comment and tell us all about your NaNoWriMo writing experience, or why you chose not to participate.

Join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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How to ask the right questions

Published on November 27, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

As a writer, I’m discovering more and more the importance of asking the right questions.

The questions are how we find good ideas for our writing. Questions make us work to think of answers.

I’m always on the lookout for more ways I can improve as a writer. Ways I can find incorporate good ideas in my writing.

On Wednesday, I gave you a link to a question that might spark the old brain cells. Robin Oliver suggested you ask the question “I am often asked…”

Then I read Jane Friedman‘s post. The lights flickered and I heard bells ringing as I realized just how many questions needed to be asked.

The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading by Paula Munier

Not just one to get started, but question after question throughout a story is what keeps the reader turning the pages.

Everyone knows the standards, – What if? – Who, what and when?

But what about…

If you applied those questions over and over in each scene?

Will he succeed? Who pulled the lever? Who ran by? When will she recognize her true love? What is he doing? Who does that belong to? Where did it come from? How did she find that?

See where I’m heading.

Now, you head over and read the Jane Friedmans post and let me know did this help?

Tell me in the comments and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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Tipsday: Writerly Goodness found on the interwebz, September 13-19, 2015

From my house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving

Published on November 26, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Although, Thanksgiving is a US holiday, I hope my European friends will indulge me a bit for my holiday excitement.

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This is a time to reflect, pause and enjoy good food, friends and family or that very special person in your life.

That’s what I will be doing today. Enjoying my special man, good food (pumpkin pie), good wine and relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

Oh, and one other thing!

I’ll be decorating for very special Christmas guests! I want my house to look like Santa’s workshop exploded.

That’s right! My oldest daughter and her family will be home from Paris, France. I can’t wait to have everyone together for the upcoming holidays. So I plan to go a little overboard.

I’ll post pictures next week!