My Thoughts – Page 3 – Jean's Writing

What if you could change the world?

Published on June 20, 2016June 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

That’s what I try to do every day in the make-believe worlds I create. The author has complete control to move everyone and everything around at their whim. We use phrases like “what if” to push on to the next scene, or action and wham. We change the world.

Ah, too bad it’s not so easy in real life.

That simple phrase spurs the imagination and wakes us to possible changes or new directions. When we write using the “what if” well it makes the reader think and wonder. It makes the reader turn the page and continue reading.

Saturday morning I read a wonderful editorial piece in the Dallas Morning News that made me think that kept me reading to the last word. And that my friends, is what good writing is all about.

One day I hope to write as well as Randy Lee Loftis, “People have never defeated physics by arguing. They never will. In other news…”

Pour yourself another cup of coffee, tea, a glass of wine or, grab a tall cold beer, sit back, relax and read the art of writing “what if” in this thought-provoking piece by an amazing writer.

In Other News by Randy Lee Loftis

events

Tell me, have you ever been grabbed by a particular piece of writing?

By a particular writer, good or bad?

Talk to me in the comments section or you can write me or reach me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey!

The lights are on and I’m waiting.

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How about today, we take one minute to pause?

Published on June 14, 2016June 13, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Today, Jean’s Writing is pausing for a moment of silence.

A moment to reflect on love, and to say enough of the hate.

I hope you’ll join me in hitting pause today for just one moment of silence. One moment to think of those no longer with us because of fear and ignorance. Today let us search our hearts for a solution to the hate filled speech traveling the land like a virus. Today let us say enough. Today let us demand more from ourselves and our leaders. Let’s start with one moment of silence in respect for love lost.

silence newspaper

Where ever you are let’s observe…

one Moment of Silence, un one Moment of Silence, un momento de silencio, een moment van stilte, un moment de silence, ein Moment der Stille, isang sandali ng katahimikan…

silence dualism-1197153_640

Join me, and my apologies if I left out your language show me how to say it in the comments section.

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Do you ever have a love-hate relationship with writing?

Published on June 13, 2016June 12, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Or, am I the only writer in the world that gets a love-hate relationship with a new project?

Every time I start a new piece, large or small, children’s or adult’s I am madly in love until…

Do you know what I mean?

Do you reach a point where the characters talk back? Give you lip (as Mom used to say)? Don’t want to cooperate?

Damn irritating if you ask me. After all, the work I’ve done plotting out the story, etching out a scene, researching a place and dressing them beautiful clothes, the least the bitches could do is cooperate. Don’t you agree?

Seems after all this work everything should just fall into place. Words, one by one into lines, making lovely sentences building an amazing story that rivals a Lego work of art. Ah, if only writing a best seller was so easy. Instead, of interlocking Lego blocks, the damn thing falls over like something stacked up with uneven cardboard grocery boxes.

Ever happen to you? What do you do when you reach this point? How do you get everyone back on the same page and going in the same direction?

I’ve decided to go read for a while and let them think about the error of their ways. Then I’ll come back and try to whip everyone back into place. Sigh…

A writer’s work is never easy.

As always, I’ve linked articles by writers a lot smarter than I am for your reading pleasure. Look at the bottom.

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

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Write Your Novel – Keeping Track

Novel writing tips: How to keep your novel on track

Tips for Keeping Track of Vital Information in Your Novel

Author Interview: Margret Geraghty

How do you get rid of a case of the Writer Blues?

Published on May 11, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell28 Comments

Anybody have any suggestions?

For answers, I went to my trusty friend Mr. Google.

Sometimes the Writer Blues (WB) grab hold of you when you become discouraged over a work in progress (WIP). Other times WB sneaks up on you after a completed project. Such is my case.

I open my notebook and flip through my idea list. Nope, nope, dumb, who the hell wrote that?

I open my WIP file folder on my computer. A folder filled with story starts that sounded promising when I jotted down the opening paragraphs or even first chapters. Nope, nope, oh hell no!

Okay, clear mind. Take a walk. Back inside, short walk, it’s hot in Texas.

Do a mindless task, laundry, yes, do some laundry. We now have clean underwear. But didn’t do jack for generating a story idea.

That’s when I noticed the first symptoms. A half-gallon of Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream is almost gone and the wine cooler needs replenishing. Maybe I should check into one of those wine by the month clubs. Wonder if there is one for ice cream too. Hmm… I’ll Google it.

Now, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, the WB’s.

And how can I rid myself of this dang malady!

How do you get rid of the Writer Blues and begin a new project?

Got any tricks or tips to share?

I hear you- time to quit whining and just write something!

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.