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Sometimes the simple tips are the most useful

Don’t over complicate your writing process.

Sometimes I think I make writing harder than it needs to be. A recent post by Tiffany Sun at The Writing Cooperative reminded me of some simple tips.

Now don’t get me wrong, if writing were easy everyone would be on the NYT list. I don’t mean that but often I get frustrated trying to put something into words on this dang screen. That’s when I need to remember a few basics.

Tiffany lists twelve hacks that are just good common sense writing. I hope one of them speaks to you.

#11 is my favorite. Not sure I could type without seeing the words, however, this did give me ideas. Because perfection haunts me and often stops the flow. If that ever happens to you stop staring at that white screen, turn it off or at least dim it so that you can’t see every typo, every grammar mistake, and relax. thinking computer -1020137_640

Turn off those grammar correction tools until you’re ready to edit.   And then just write!

 

Click the link and read her simple tips, maybe one will help next time you get stumped.

12 Writing Hacks You Need to Become a Great Writer

Which of her “hacks” give you food for thought?

Do you have a “tip or hack” that reminds you to keep it simple?

I’d love to hear from you! Leave me a comment!

Click the “write me” tab 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.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

What do you think about blogging myths?

Do you believe everything you read?

Sometimes it’s hard not to. I mean those wrinkle creams pictures look amazing.

Okay, sometimes maybe I take the internet and especially Facebook posts way too serious. Guess it’s time to consider the source, and do a little homework.

Here’s my take on her list of myths:

Thumbs up, I agree it’s a myth. thumbs up           Thumbs down, I disagree, it’s a fact. thumbs down

  1. Keyword certainty. Definitely a myth. We all know nothing is certain but death and taxes. thumbs up
  2. Posting every day is not difficult. Fact. Yes, I believe it’s hard, especially if you are writing other things, like say a novel. thumbs down
  3.  Write to beat writer’s block. Can be- fact. I think writing helps some writers beat the blank sheet but it certainly doesn’t work all the time for everyone. See #1 thumbs down
  4. For the best promotion, pay for it. Myth for sure! I don’t like the pay to promote services, sounds phony. thumbs up
  5.  Write whatever you want, forget about an audience. Hmm, maybe, maybe not, but if you don’t enjoy what you’re posting I bet dollars to donuts you’ll soon quit. This goes in my fact column.thumbs down
  6.  Always promote new content. Put this in the myth column. Updating and adding new info to old posts is just smart. Everything changes. thumbs up
  7. You can’t know the best time to post. She suggests this is a myth and that you can determine the right time to post. I disagree. I rarely read blogs, emails or Twitter at the same time every day. The world is a busy place.thumbs down
  8. Blogging can help your writing. For me, this is a fact. Because I believe, writing of all types encourages creativity. thumbs down
  9. You can blog fast. Oh, this is so a myth. If you believe this I’ve got a bridge… thumbs up
  10. Blogging is lonely. Sometimes but it doesn’t have to be, I agree this is a myth. I’ve met some lovely people. thumbs up
  11. No way you’ll predict which posts will be successful. I think this is not a myth but a fact. Some of my most successful blog posts have been complete surprises. thumbs down
  12. Your “about page” should be about you. Well, I’m on the fence about this one. Each blog is as individual as the people who read or write them. I think this is might be the case for certain bloggers. But it’s a personal call. For me a fact.thumbs down
  13. Google penalizes duplicate content. Yay! A myth. Glad to hear Google is way too busy to worry about little ole me. thumbs up
  14. Google penalizes link swapping. Myth. And I just learned a new term. Gotta check it out. Janice gives a good link for more info. thumbs up
  15. Google penalizes link backs to your older posts. Myth, and if you don’t know how to do this Janice has a link. thumbs up
  16. Hop from WP.com to a self-hosted site and lose your followers. Whew! Glad to know this is a myth. You may need a little help but it can be done. thumbs up
  17. To have a successful blog approach it like another job or chore. This myth made me laugh. I’ve enough chores thank you very much. When it’s no longer fun, quit. thumbs up
  18. Churn out post after post and you’re a blogger. Boy oh boy is this ever a myth. There’s a lot more to blogging than that. See #17thumbs up
  19. People don’t read content on the internet. Aren’t we all glad this is a myth? Busy people spend what little time they have using the internet to stay informed and connected. thumbs up
  20. Blogging advice is a waste of time. For my take on this myth, see #19. LOL

Now head over and read what 

20 Blogging Myths That Will Make You Blog Worse

We all want to debunk blogging and writing myths. So tell me…

Which myth gets under your skin?

Know one Janice or I missed?

Let’s talk about it in the comments section. 

Want to reach me? Click the “write me” tab 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.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

 

Do you know how to share your latest read?

Do you know how to write a non-fiction review?

book glasses

Reviews are the bread and butter of every writer. But they can be harder to come by for non-fiction writers.

Is it because we are intimidated by the process?

It’s not as scary as you think.

One of my favorite bloggers, , gives an easy guide to writing that non-fiction book review.

So if you’ve read a great non-fiction book click on this link and read Rosie’s how-to list for writing a terrific review.

Let’s Talk About #BookReviews Day 2 

Do you read non-fiction?

Ever wrote a non-fiction review?

Do you think non-fiction reviews are harder than fiction reviews?

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab 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.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you think more submissions equal more success?

If the more you write, the more ideas you’ll find is true then…

What about the more rejections you receive, the more success you will have?

believe in yourself

In a recent conversation with another writer, I mentioned my life had been so hectic lately I hadn’t submitted any short stories for publication in almost a year. Not because I don’t have a story or two squirreled away, but because it takes time to polish each story to fit the contest or publication.

In the past, I’ve learned a lot about myself and my writing style from the rejections and successes of submissions to magazines and writing contests. So maybe I’m hurting my writing by not continuing to submit to multiple outlets.

Do you think a writer gets stale when they fail to push in multiple directions?

Or should a writer concentrate on one thing at a time?

What do you think?

Ready to submit and hone your skills? Keep reading.

When it comes to making it as a writer, there are no hard and fast rules, it seems. For writers who have spent the better part of their lives receiving rejection letters, there’s always the J.K. Ro…

Source: 5 Great Online Resources for Writers: Guest Post by Isa Cox

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab 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.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

Lifelong Writing Habit: The Secret to Writing Every Day: Write Faster, Write Smarter by [Fox, Chris]