Jean M. Cogdell

Are you easy to find?

Published on June 15, 2015June 14, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

How easy are you to find?

If someone wants to publish your story, essay or request a sample of your work how difficult will a sample be to locate?

Start by making yourself available.

I hate spam as much as the rest of the world. So we all have to take steps to protect from the dreaded spoofing emails. However, we must have a platform on the world-wide web.

Chuck Sambuchino wrote a great post for The Writer Life on 4 steps a writer can take to have a successful and professional platform.

Today’s Challenge.

Google your name, or the name of your blog.

Is your presence easy to find? If so, what stands out?

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals tell me what you think.

If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Are you using Scrivener?

Published on June 13, 2015June 12, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Maybe you’re still using MS Word?

If you’re interested in trying something different read —

Writers in the Storm blog posted a listing of the Top 10 Scrivener Features for Writers.

I use both. Each program does something different. For short stories I use MS Word but for longer pieces I love Scrivener.

I also recommend reading Writing a Novel with Scrivener by David Hewson, he makes it simple.

Also if you want to figure out how to use Scrivener to outline that novel. Check out this tutorial by Erin Bowman.

There are dozens of YouTube videos to help a writer, so go crazy.

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals tell me what you think. If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Breaking News – No 5 Star Recommendation Today

Published on June 12, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Sorry everyone! No book review today.

This week has been crazy.

Spent two days in bed. Someone should’ve warned me picking up magic markers could throw out my back. Weird….

Plus this week has have been filled with nail-biting, exciting Little League playoff games. Let me tell you – the Texas Rangers have nothing, and I mean nothing on these pint-sized eleven year old kids. Each game was a thrill to watch them play their hearts out and win.

Last night we cinched 2nd place. Two more games to go. Hope my nerves can take it.

And this week we also celebrated our youngest grandson’s 8th birthday!

The two days I spent laying flat on my aching back, I started a couple of books but they couldn’t hold my attention. The rest of the week there just wasn’t enough time nor energy. Family comes first, and is a big priority for me. So unfortunately, I’m without a book recommendation.

What’s in your kindle?

Y’all know I love to read, so send me your best recommendations for the coming week.

Y’all know that I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks.

So after you pass my post on to your Facebook and Twitter pals leave me a comment and a book recommendation.

If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

How to Deal With Rejection Syndrome

Published on June 11, 2015June 10, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Fight It Baby!

Ach! Another rejection.

Of course, after I reread the submission, I would’ve rejected the piece myself.

What on earth possessed me?

Oh well, next…

Write, submit, tweak, write, submit, and repeat.

Or something like that.

I recently read a great article that implied women are wimps when it comes to re-submitting.

Ladies – man up!

Submit Like A Man: How Women Writers Can Become More Successful

Stop getting your feelings hurt! Rejections are all subjective. (or so I keep telling myself.) Judges are human after all and need coffee to wake up each morning too. Hmm, unless we are dealing with vampires. Stay on topic Jean.

What I’m trying to say is, caviar is just fish eggs for some people.