Jean's Writing

Do you want more books that spark a kids imagination?

Published on July 25, 2018July 23, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell

It’s Wednesday and I’ve got another good book for you.

Today in Texas, the temp will reach 105 today, and 110 by Saturday. Whew, that’s hot even for me. And I love the heat.

Want your kids to do more than play electronic games?

Well, when it’s too hot for the beach, park or just playing outside, what’s a parent to do? How about find a good book to grab their attention?

Today, I’m turning the spotlight on, The List By Patricia Forde. This is another book recommended by my school teacher daughter and my fourteen-year-old grandson.

Received a Notable Award from the American Library Association, The List is a very different dystopian story. There are no zombies, vamps, or roving murderous weird creatures. I enjoyed the premise of using language to control people, and how they must risk everything to keep their words. This is something I hadn’t thought possible until reading this book. Made me think about our freedom of speech. The story and characters held my interest from beginning to end. This book gets 5 stars from me for originality and great writing. Recommended for ages 12+. Kids and adults alike will enjoy this one. Click on the image to find out more.

Have younger kids at home?

Check out these titles by Patricia Forde, click on the image to find out more about her books. And of course, don’t forget mine for your preschoolers.

Now fix yourself a big glass of something cold and relax. The summer is only halfway over, and baby it’s hot outside.

What do you say…

What books do you recommend for kids?

Are the kids in your life reading anything special?

Do they have a favorite book this summer?

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AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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Watch for upcoming security changes

Published on July 24, 2018July 23, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

No one wants their website hacked, am I right?

However, I do wish the techies looking down from cyberspace would stop monkeying around and tweaking every little thing on the internet.

Just when I believe I’ve gotten everything under control, bam! Time to relearn and figure out just what the hell is changing now.

A big thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for keeping me and everyone up to date on the coming changes to Google Chrome. Apparently, it has something to do with website security. OMG

Now you may say, “I don’t use Google Chrome.” But where Google goes other search engines are soon to follow. So take note, read the article and watch for changes.

So, what is this Google Chrome update all about?

Google Chrome has an update coming out the end of July. Chrome 68.
The new update will mark ALL websites an “not secure.”
Some hosting websites will add additional Security Socket Layer–or SSL for us, some may not.
If the website host doesn’t add the additional SSL, we will need to add one ourselves to make sure communications between our site and a visitor is secure.

Think I got all that right. Sure hope WordPress.com adds it for me. Hate when I have to figure all this shit out for myself.

Click on the link below and read the entire article for the bigger picture.

SSL Security And Social Share Counts By Nicholas C. Rossis

Talk to me…

Does anyone out there know if WordPress.com will fix this for us?

Do you worry about visiting unsecure websites?

Did you know about this change?

Do you think it will impact bloggers? How?

Check out these links for more information about Chrome 68.

What’s New In DevTools (Chrome 68)

A secure web is here to stay

Chrome 68 to condemn all unencrypted sites by summer

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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Boost your writing with these awesome free tip sheets

Published on July 19, 2018July 18, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Putting into words, emotion, desires, hopes, and dreams are not always easy.

I could hardly contain my excitement when I spotted this post. Y’all know how much I love shortcuts, tip sheets, and lists of all kinds. So you can imagine my excitement when Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman co-authors of 6 bestselling writing guides. If you haven’t read any of their books, I can only assume you’ve been hiding in a cave somewhere.

They’ve provided 41 lists to make writing and finding a character arc so much easier. You’ll want to download shortcuts to your computer for easy reference.

It may not be easy to capture the essence of a character, but with these free writing tip sheets brought to you by One Stop for Writers, it gets easier. Now you can take your writing to a higher level.

Want to get started with their first book? Click on the image below.

What did you think?

Do you think these checklists and tip sheets are helpful?

Which books by Angela and Becca do you have?

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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Do you want to encourage passion in a reluctant reader?

Published on July 18, 2018July 18, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Do you have a young reluctant reader at home?

The lazy hazy days of summer are here and many of you are trying to encourage your kids to read. Maybe their teacher gave them a reading list, but it’s a struggle to comply. Ready to try something new?

Reading is fundamental. We’ve heard that time and time again, but why? What makes it so important for our kids to find a passion for reading?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fundamental “as serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function.”

Reading is paramount to understanding everything from math, politics to recipes. If we can read well, we can understand the world around us.

Without a passion for reading, a person does not read.

However, I bet you know a kid who hates to read. Why? Because they haven’t found a book that captures their imagination.

All kids have big imaginations. All that is necessary is to find a book that taps into their creativity. So don’t give up and keep putting book after book in front of them until one clicks unlocking their potential.

My daughter is a third-grade teacher and she sees this reluctance in kids every day. Recently she told me about a book that has NEVER failed to hook a reluctant reader. Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans. This is book one of seven. But once a kid starts book one, they want to read the second, third and then keep going until they finish the series. For a kid that hates to read, this book flips a switch changing what they think about reading. On a personal note, my five grandchildren agree with her.

Books by Richard Paul Evans appeals to all ages, from kid to adult, boys and girls alike. Click the image below to check out number one in the series.

Writing a review would be easy but over 1400 readers beat me to it. Check out what these readers had to say. Customer Reviews. And don’t forget the Editorial Reviews!

Do you have a book recommendation for reluctant readers?