Jean M. Cogdell

Want to Simulcast between blogs?

Published on March 4, 2015March 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Wow!

I’ve had a Blogger Website for years but maintaining two became too much so I let the Blogger go dormant.

Thanks to the latest post over at Blogging from A to Z I learned how to simulcast from my WordPress blog to my blogger blog.

Get the info on how you too can automate your info. Go to Blogging from A to Z and give IFTTT a try.

This is my first go but according to the IFTTT website you can simulcast between other applications such as Facebook and Twitter too.

I love, love, love finding new tech tips!

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From Newbie to Master—Understanding the Writer’s Journey

Published on March 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Some days I think my stumbling newbie, or adolescence days will last forever. Great blog – thanks Kristen

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Pirate Code=Writing Rules. Clearer now? 🙂

The mark of a pro is they make whatever we want to do look easy. From running a business to playing guitar to wicked cool Kung Fu moves, masters rarely seem to even break a sweat. Same with authors. With the pros? The story flows, pulls us in, and appears seamless and effortless.

Just check out Ronda Rousey’s 14 second record-breaking WIN from this past weekend for an idea of JUST how EASY pros make things look…

Many of us decided to become writers because we grew up loving books. Because good storytellers are masters of what they do, we can easily fall into a misguided notion that “writing is easy.” Granted there are a rare few exceptions, but most of us will go through three acts (stages) in this career if we stick it through.

Act One—The Neophyte

This is when we are…

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Do you start stories with a nutgraf?

Published on March 1, 2015March 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Nut what?

Sunday afternoon and I’m breezing through my emails. I need to pay bills, after all, it’s the first of the month. However, my inbox is overflowing. But we all know it’s more fun to read emails, than pay bills. Click, delete, click, read a little, click, read a good story, click… whoa.

Nut what? I continued reading IMITATION IS PART OF BEING A WRITER, by Jane Friedman. So intrigued, I clicked on the links she provided and kept right on reading. Love it when I discover new information that makes me a better writer. Thanks, Jane.

Nut…

Nutgraf is slang for the editorial heart of a story.

It tells the reader what the story is about and why the reader should care.

Next link I learned from Theo Pauline Nestor, who explains on her blog WRITING IS MY DRINK, not only what a nutgraf is but how to use a nutgraf “trick”. (Also spelled Nut Graf or Nut Graph).

Maybe you’re shaking your head, thinking, Jean, you didn’t know what a nutgraf was? Nope, I didn’t, but I do now and I’m excited to practice.

Do you want to know?

Head on over to and read NUTGRAFS FOR MEMOIRS AND PERSONAL ESSAYS to begin your quest.

Happy writing!

Just Add Cowboy by Sean Bernard

Can you write a kiss?

Published on February 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Romance writing is not my genre.

However, it’s good to step out of our comfort zone and stretch those writing muscles every now and then. After reading A Writer’s Path today I decided to try my hand at writing a kissing scene.

How would you write a kiss?

It’s not as easy as I thought. In fact I revised the tiny little piece below several times. I’d be embarrassed to give you the number.

Welcome Home

I watch, listen and wait. Outside, gravel crunches under tires, the car door slams, and his boots echo against the walk. My heart synchronizing with the pounding of his steps.

The door opens and I’m wrapped in his warm embrace. Nose to nose, heart to heart, I bask in his love. Our lips meet, and his kiss feeds my soul. At last, I can breathe. My joy, my life is home.

Thanks Ryan for the inspiration and the tips .

Get additional inspiration over at GalleyCat . Find tips from 20 Authors.

I hope you will have a bit of fun and give it a try.

Post your kissing, love scene, in the comments or leave us a link to your blog.