Sometimes the easiest is the most direct

Published on January 22, 2016April 10, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Like, use what is right in front of me. There’s not a long learning curve with a program I already know. Duh!

This appears to be a lesson I seem destined to learn the hard way over and over.

After spending all day, and I do mean all day, researching and downloading various programs I figured out what I’d been using was the best all along. Go back to the tried and true.

All that time wasted. Sometimes I’m so hard-headed.

However, one good thing did come out of it.

I came across a valuable post filled with information. Information that I did need.

Do you know how many pages a children’s picture book should have?

Do you know how it should be constructed? Exactly?

Picture Book Dummy, Picture Book Construction: Know Your Layout by Tara Lazar

You see, my editor had just suggested I make up a dummy of my new children’s book before going in further. She thought a dummy might help me get a handle on the correct size of the book and the illustrations.

So I guess my day wasn’t wasted after all.

Thanks, Ms. Lazar for this timely bit of info. With your post maybe I’ll avoid a lot of mistakes.

Now this dummy is off to lay out a dummy of

“A Most Reluctant Princess.”

I hope some of y’all find the information as helpful as I did. If you did, talk to me…

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

Don’t you just love it, when you “get it”?

Published on January 21, 2016January 20, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Me too!

Thanks to J.A. Stinger for sending me to a new blogger, at least new to me, for another light bulb moment.

I’ve been a member of Amazon Associates for years. I’ve never understood how to use it. Now don’t y’all get all uppity on me, I’m sure there are a few things that has confounded you over the years. Well, back to my issue with Amazon Associates. Since I couldn’t figure out how to link anything to my blog with the Associates link, I just forgot about it. Until today when I read J.A.’s blog and followed her link to AnaSpoke.com for the rest of the story.

Folks, this is why reblogging is so important.

As I read and then reread Ana’s post a second time the pieces clicked into place and I finally got it.

When I’d finished, I went a bit further and discovered a couple of tricks of my own. So after you’ve read Ana’s tips keep reading, I’ve got a few more for you.

Even more fun with WordPress widgets: how to create an Amazon affiliate link and make a ton of cents! By Anna Spoke

Here’s what I learned:

1- After you’ve found the product, click on “Shorten URL with amzn.to?” above the HTML code.

This gives you a short URL link that you can copy and link to any image.

2- Click on the “Build more links” button on the right below the HTML code.

This takes you to the screen below where you can select from 3 different customized links, Text only, Image with Text, or Image only.

I like the image only, as it will give you a widget you can use on your website. That’s the one I have on the upper top left of this website.

3- Select one of the 3 and click Highlight HTML and copy.

4- Paste the HTML code in the widget you want to use on your website.

Now go sign up on Amazon Associates.

Hope my tips were as helpful as Ana’s. If they were, or if you’ve had good success on Amazon Associates, let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

Do you know how to write a synopsis or summary?

Published on January 20, 2016January 19, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

I’ve got about ten different ones written different summaries, synopsis or whatever for the same WIP. Yes, you heard right. I don’t like any of them, but I keep trying.

That’s why I was so excited to read this post today.

I loved how Bridget from Now Novel, has a no-nonsense approach to writing a synopsis.

Hand slap to the forehead, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Jean.

Sometimes I need to be reminded to stop adding purple prose and keep to the facts.

Remember the synopsis is the appetizer, a teaser, something to tantalize the would be reader. Not a the CliffNotes version. If you tell them too much, they may not have an incentive to read the book.

Stick to the facts, sprinkle with a tiny bit of spice, so the synopsis won’t be bland, and stir lightly.

Now go read Bridget’s post and see if these 9 Tips help you any.

How to write a book synopsis better: 9 tips

Okay, got it!

What about a summary?

Where and what do I do with a summary? Do I even need a summary? If so, for what?

What’s the difference between a summary or a synopsis?

Check out this video for more info on both!

Should this particular book, with the 10-12 synopsis floating around in my computer, ever make its way to publication, I’ll let y’all know.

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