Jean's Writing

Do you want to write a perfect, beautiful sentence?

Published on July 17, 2018July 16, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

What writer doesn’t. Am I right?

More times than not, I worry about the correct grammar and structure of my sentences. But there is so much more to writing readable prose. The reader needs to connect with our words.

How do we as writers, produce sentences that manage this connection?

How do we write our best sentences than combined make for a great story?

Here is a really good article By John Matthew Fox, that not only lists 100 Beautiful Sentences in Literature but explains what makes a sentence memorable.

What I gleaned from his article…

Beautiful phrasing does not equal memorable. A reader may admire the words but not love them.
Wisdom does not equate beauty.
An ambitious sentence is not essential for a perfect sentence
Emotion is a must for a perfect, memorable beautiful sentence.
A beautiful sentence moves the reader forward.

His article is a must-read for us “perfectionist” writers. Perfection is not always what we think it is, but what our readers perceive from reading our stories.

What do you think?

What is your favorite sentence?

What do you deem a beautiful, perfect sentence?

Although this is from a movie, it’s stayed with me for years. That must make it pretty close to a beautiful, perfect sentence.

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How to pick the best self-publishing route

Published on July 12, 2018July 9, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

So, you’ve written a children’s book but what now?

How do you decide which service to publish with?

I think it really depends on your target audience. More than cost and convenience needs to be considered. Where do you want to market your book? What age is your book for? Will it sell better in e-format or hardback? Do you want to see it in libraries or schools? What size will it be? Those are just a few.

A great side-by-side comparison for picture books print on demand costs and convenience is addressed in the following post. What Print on Demand service is best for your self-published picture book? By Dayen Sislen

Her post explains the costs and services of three print-on-demand routes you can take. . For my easy reader I went with just Createspace, but for my two picture books, I used Ingram Sparks and Createspace.

Have you published a picture book? Which did you use?

Do you only publish e-books? Why?

If you’ve written and published a children’s book, click on the contact me button and let me know all about your book. I’d love to share with my readers.

Watch this for more info about writing a kids books.

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Wednesday Bedtime Reading

Published on July 11, 2018July 11, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

It has been a terrible, horrible, no good very bad day!

Judith Viorst

But!

Tomorrow will be better.

Kevin Henkes

Do you hide your light under a bushel?

Published on July 10, 2018July 9, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Or do you let it shine for all to see?

I’m not exactly shy. But I do have trouble tooting my own horn. When someone asks me how I spend my time, I become tongue-tied.

I can talk to anyone, about anything except my writing, blogs or books.

There are lots of reasons writers have this problem. Me?

Fear of judgment and rejection. Not disapproval but often people who don’t understand the process can be dismissive. Attitudes range from, oh how fun, how easy, to what takes so long. After all, they can read a book in a few days. What can possibly be so hard about a couple of picture books?

Ouch!

So, I try to avoid sharing. When ask, I turn around the conversation to something or someone else.

Do you need encouragement to speak up?

Then you’ll want to read this terrific post – Feel the fear and put yourself out there – advice for shy authors BY Roz Morris over at Nail Your Novel.

More info for selling your voice…