Jean's Writing

Avoid costly mistakes and toss old rules

Published on August 22, 2016August 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell19 Comments

Out with the old and in with the new!

Although this may reveal more about my age than I would care to, please be polite and pretend not to notice.

Now that I’ve got this disclaimer out-of-the-way, I’ll continue.

Old rule, two spaces after a sentence end.
New rule. one space after a sentence.

Old rule, two lines after a paragraph.
New rule, one line after a paragraph.

When I first began the submission process I was rejected for formatting mistakes. Yes, sometimes your piece can be rejected not because of the grammar, spelling or plotting issues but because of formatting.

Years ago, I learned to type on a Selectric typewriter. Now this is where you politely pretend not to try to figure out how much time has passed. Anyway, I could type 90 words per minute, double space between sentences and enter a hard return between paragraphs without missing a beat. However, those rules went out the window when computers came in the door.

I know, I know sometimes when you’re typing fast you sometimes forget not to hit the space bar twice. Even after all these years.

But it can cost you! So please check the rules on formatting for each entry before you hit send and make sure your document is in the right century.

Need more info on formatting? Keep reading I’ve added some links for your reading pleasure at the bottom of this post.

Have you ever had an entry rejected because you failed to format properly?

Ever noticed different formats for different entries?

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.

Six rules for manuscript formatting.

Writing Tip #36 (a.k.a. “Don’t Space Out”)

Manuscript preparation guide

A fun and relaxing girls night out

Published on August 19, 2016August 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Thanks to KIMBERLEYCOOPERBLOG for inspiring me, I’ve decided to join in the prompt fun over at Julia’s Place.

In honor of the Rio Olympics, Julia chose for her 100-word prompt is, “With a little effort I wonder if I could do that?…”

I needed tonight, the cheesy movie, the greasy tacos, a margaritas buzz but most of all the laughter.

“I liked the book better,” Karen said, her mouth full of chips.

“You read that drivel? I couldn’t get past chapter three.”

I shut out Margo our book club snob, knowing she’d read every word, but would never admit it.

The margaritas warmed my cheeks or could it be visions of scarves and Jason tied to a bedpost flashing through my mind?

Jason wanted more excitement. We have a spare room. Hmm, with a little effort I wonder if I could do that?…

Check out http://www.juliasplace.org.ukJulia’s Place and Kimberly’s blog. I hope one of us will inspire your writing today!

What inspires you? Gets your writing juices flowing? Do tell! Inquiring minds want to know!

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What is it about sport?

It’s exciting to discover that you’re not alone

Published on August 18, 2016August 14, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

That’s how I felt after reading other writers also have trouble describing scenes.

purple balloon-303733_640 Read many of my posts? Then you know I struggle with descriptions. My writing will either be as stark and sterile as a surgical suite or purple as a five-year-old little girls birthday party. Purple prose everywhere!

My critique partner and sister is great at writing beautiful descriptions that put you right in the middle of a scene. (check out Sheila at Cow Pasture Chronicles.) But if I try to write like her, I sound like Eddie Haskell on Leave it to Beaver. Just too much.

Believe me, I’ve studied every self-help book on the market. And some have helped. My favorites are the ones by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. Like:

The Rural Setting Thesaurus, The Urban Setting Thesaurus, and The Emotion Thesaurus, plus there are several more. Be sure and check them out for really good tips on descriptions. Links at the bottom of this post.

Now back to the post that gave me hope! Click and Read!!!

by Phoebe Quinn

The world is pretty visual, but I’m not. Despite my insistence that, if I had to choose, I’d rather lose my hearing than my sight, I’ve never been able to work in a visual wa…

Source: 7 Ways to Write Visually (Without Describing Everything)

I do hope you hopped over and read Phoebe’s post and realized that we don’t have to describe every grain of sand or blade of grass to engage our readers. That often less is more!

Let me know what you think.

Do you have trouble striking a balance with describing a scene or emotion?

Are you a very visual person?

Do you have a trick that helps writer like myself? Do share!

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Need help? Check out these books!

The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by [Ackerman, Angela, Puglisi, Becca]

Click on image to read FREE book preview!

Do you know how to develop memorable characters in a story

Published on August 17, 2016August 10, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Hope you’re not tired of character development yet.

Because I’m still learning and my characters aren’t quite where I want them.

So y’all be sure and send me all the help you can. I need it.

The tips I learned today are:

Don’t write characters that blend into the background.

Whether fictional or real-life they must be three dimensional. What lead up to specific actions and life choices in the story? By understanding their beliefs, education, values, background, and physical attributes the reader will understand their behavior.

By understanding their beliefs, education, values, background, and physical attributes the reader will understand their behavior.

Reveal their character.

In other words, reveal the character of your character. Does your character cheat, steal, or are they a giver, helper and lover. Show the reader their traits. What makes them tick. Let those traits develop over the course of the story. A person’s character is developed when tested. The stakes and the consequences of the events must be high enough to be worth the reader caring about. Will they rise to the occasion or utterly fail? They either have it or they don’t.

Follow the passion.

Finding your character’s obsessive passion is crucial. Make their desire intense. Whatever your character wants or needs, make them care passionately about it.

Journal.

Now I wasn’t too sure about this tip but the more I read the more I became convinced. Q Lindsey Barrett might be on to something. She suggests that when writing the character’s biography and description you also record their rituals, and habits. She reminds us that crafting enduring characters is hard, time-consuming work. Don’t I know it!

Use Character Traits To Create Narrative Tension.

Use your character’s deepest desire by preventing him from having it. Want’s riches, then have his business collapse and file bankruptcy.

Avoid laundry lists descriptions.

Such as hair color, height, and weight. Give more explaining their temperament, confidence, and ambition.

Names.

Names matter but don’t be afraid to change the characters name if it doesn’t seem to fit.

This was my lesson today. Curtsey of Q Lindsey Barrett and her post at the Missouri Review Blog – Click below and keep reading.

Writing Beyond Good: Crafting Memorable Characters

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.