Are you sounding like the Little Engine?

Published on September 16, 2015September 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

“I think I can, I think I can.”

That’s been my mantra for so long and yet I feel as though I’m writing in circles.

One of my WIP, the story that started it all, is going nowhere. I have so many starts, middles and endings, I can’t make heads or tails of it.

But this little vixen won’t leave my mind. So one day I’m gonna have to wrestle her to the page and get control of her story. Sigh.

Today I read an interesting article. If you know anything at all about me, you know I’m a techie. So this new program caught my eye.

A critic’s second thoughts on robo-writing by Chris Berdik

I use several programs for grammar, spelling, formatting, and reading aloud. But this one has a bit of a different take on editing. WriteLab. After selecting the free trial button, always a go to when trying a new program, I uploaded a selection of my aggravating WIP.

The results were very thought-provoking. For instance WriteLab pointed this out about a couple of words in one sentence.

Coherence

This is an unusual phrase. What relation does innocent have to rhyme? How familiar are readers with this relation? Will they be informed or confused by it? robot-36984_1280

In addition to Coherence, the program checks for Cohesion, Logic, concision, Emphasis, and Elegance.

I don’t any program, no matter how smart will ever replace the imagination and talent of the individual writer.

However, after running this program on a small section, my mind is spinning. Sometimes a fresh, unbiased, logical evaluation can get us unstuck. I think I’m ready to take a crack at this elusive story one more time. Wish me luck.

How about you? Are you struggling with a WIP?

Have you found something to help with that struggle?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you know your key words?

Published on September 15, 2015February 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

If not, time to discover which key words will work best for your book.

Still plodding along, I’m not sure when or if this book will ever see the light of day at Amazon. Sigh.

But still I type, I read, I learn and who knows one day maybe, just maybe.

So with that far off hope in mind, I collect useful information.

Such as, using the correct Key Words on Amazon. And knowing the difference between categories and Key Words.

If someone searches Amazon make sure your book is keyed properly so they can find it.

People use Amazon six to seven times more often than Google.

To be honest I’d never really thought much about key words and books. But after reading

How to Choose the Best Keywords When Publishing Fiction on Amazon by David Penny

I realize this is something I need to add to my to do list. Whenever I do finish my manuscript, I need to know which key words will help readers find my book.

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you like to talk?

Published on September 14, 2015September 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Well, now you can talk your book, short story or blog into existence.

Doing a happy dance!

I’ve discovered Google Voice!

Okay, maybe I’m a little late to the dance, no teasing out there, but I think this is so cool. Now I can talk to my computer and watch as it types on my screen.

Plus it’s FREE!

I love free stuff!

I’ve never been very good at dictation, even in the olden days of hand-held dictaphone. But this is one more tool in my ever-growing writing arsenal.

As a person who deals with chronic pain, there are days when typing is just not possible. But, I can always talk. LOL

So I plan on learning to use this program more effectively.

Check out Google Docs Voice and see if it’s something you might want to add to your writing tool box.

Do you use a voice command program to dictate your writing? If so, which one?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you want to join me and write short burst of creativity?

Published on September 12, 2015June 20, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Are you up for a challenge?

What can you say in 140 characters?

Not words, but characters. That includes spaces.

Flash Fiction is one of my favorite story forms. The constraints of 100 – 1000 words require me to judge each and every word.

But how about Twitter stories?

Can I paint a vivid picture in 140 characters? Can you? Let’s find out.

There are several hashtags to follow writers who love the quick, down and dirty writing in 140 characters.

#140story
#140
#140tale
#twittertales
#storyin140

And now mine: #JW140

(#JW140 kinda sounds like that oil we spray on squeaky hinges) Now that just gave me an idea. LOL

I’m sure there are more, but this should get us started.

So here is my challenge:

Tweet a tale in 140 characters, use the #JW140 plus any of the others listed above, and then link to your tweet in the comments section. Tweet and retweet!

To find mine, find my story go to Twitter and search for #JW140.

Let’s have some fun. No telling where your story might lead. A new book, maybe? Hmm.

Use a story in progress, or one already written.

Tweet your story once a day, twice a day, or whenever. Doesn’t matter, you are in charge.

But if you need ideas to jump-start your muse, check out Mashable Readers.

Doesn’t matter when you join in, today, tomorrow or next week. No pressure and if you miss a day, pssft! Who cares. This is going to be fun. Start and stop when you want.