Author: Jean M. Cogdell

Author of three children’s books encouraging kids to always reach for the stars. Now available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. Additional flash fiction, short stories, and essays are featured in various publications.

Do you know which software to use?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

Okay, you’ve written a book.

Now you need to get it print ready.

Are you struggling to find the right software to design your book?

This article came at a great time for me. I’ve been struggling with trying to figure this out.

I use Scrivener for some projects, and Microsoft Word for others.

One of the things I’m beginning to finally understand, there’s no one size fits all. Especially when it comes to writing.

I like Canva for artwork, and I’ve been trying out a few others. But all have limitations.

Do you have a favorite program?

We can all benefit from others experiences and I so appreciate your feedback.

I hope you find this article, by , as informative as I did.

How to Choose the Best Software for Print Book Design

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Are you too fast or too slow?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Your pacing, is it too fast or too slow?

Complications is a TV series on USA Networks.

When I started watching, I found the show intriguing and fast paced tension. The story is about Dr. John Ellison, a disillusioned ER doctor. He intervenes in a drive-by shooting, saving a young boy’s life and killing one of the attackers.

After a few weeks, I was exhausted.

The word complications, is defined as “a difficult or confused state caused by many interrelated factors.” That describes the show in a nut-shell. Every action taken by the main character results in a compounding reaction beyond his control.

After non-stop tension I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt as if I were trying to outrun a bunch of race cars.

The NASCAR Busch Series field at Texas Motor S...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There was no down time for Dr. Ellison (main character) or his sidekick.  So, I quit watching. Not because the writing or acting wasn’t great, but because I needed breathing space to take in what was happening.

This got me to thinking more about pacing. Back in Feburary I wrote a post on the importance of pacing. But a TV show really brought the point front and center. Boy oh boy if you ever need an example of the importance of story pacing this is it.  A little of this and a little of that goes a long way.

For suggestions on story pacing check out these writers.

  • Holly Lisle gives several techniques for controlling the pace of a story. She explains that Not everyone wants a breakneck race through the pages. We all need to breathe.
  • Fiction Writers Mentor, talks about giving your story balance.
  • Fiction Factor explains how we shouldn’t let our story become a victim of lousy pacing.

Have you got this pacing thing down pat?

Let me know in the comments. Please click on the Facebook and Twitter links to pass my post on to your friends.

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

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Are you choosing the right word?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

A picture paints a thousand words, but the right words can paint an amazing picture.

In this article, Mr. Kickman explains how important it is to choose the right words to set a scene.

Sometimes I’m too succinct, too quick and too sparse leaving out too many details.

Maybe it’s from writing too many Flash stories. I’m not sure, but I do know how much I enjoy a story when the words pull me into their world.

Read the article at SouthWest Writers and let me know what you think.

WHAT THE RIGHT COMPARISON CAN DO FOR YOUR STORY

by Kirt Hickman

Let me know what you think. I’m always interested in your comments.

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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 know the publishing process?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Then here are 18 steps to make it happen.

Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror author, Michael Cairns lists 18 steps from draft to finish.

Check out his website and see if you’ve forgotten a one.

Is your process is different or about the same?

Please click on the Facebook and Twitter links to pass my post on to your friends.

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

 

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