Jean's Writing

When was the last time you backed up your website?

Published on June 21, 2017June 20, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell26 Comments

We all back up our computers, either to the “cloud” or to an external hard drive. But what about your blog?

Have you thought about backing up your blog?

What would happen if your blog content vanished? Years of hard work gone in the blink of an eye. How could that happen? WordPress has been around for eons! Ever heard of MySpace? Haven’t? There is a reason.

What would I do should WordPress suddenly vanish into web space?

Cry, eat Bluebell Ice cream and drink Margaritas. Not in any particular order. Then I’d sit down and begin to vent. I mean, write.

Of course, the best thing would be to avoid such a catastrophe.

Here is today’s no excuse, public service announcement, brought to you by Suzanne Bowditch.

Click and read Suzanne’s terrific step-by-step instructions on how to backup your website. Don’t lose that amazing website you’ve slaved over for months.

Backing up your Blog Content by Suzanne Bowditch.

Tell me:

Have you ever backed up your website?

How often do you back up your blog?

Do you think it’s an important or unnecessary part of housekeeping?

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

Please head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or to connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Do you love creepy, unusual, and odd subjects?

Published on June 19, 2017June 19, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell20 Comments

The creepier the better to write my dear.

Am I right?

Well, I’ve stumbled on a couple of terrific ways to expand your imagination. Hang on to your hats.

I love writing prompts. Give me an odd word combos, a challenging word count or subject matter and my mind goes nuts. So I really went bonkers when I stumbled across not one but two totally unique ideas!

Have you ever thought about using mug shots for character development? Not me! Not until now.

Go to Arrests.org and pick a state, any state, you won’t be disappointed. The visual is worth a thousand words.

The mug shots are tagged and categorized for you. Need to describe someone who has had the shit beat out of them? Click on “beat up.”

Or what about locking up your character? Hmm, keep reading.

These great ideas are from Paul M.M. Cooper.

He suggests you put your character in a locked room without windows or furniture. I imagined the room like a padded cell.

What happens? Is the person confused, scared, claustrophobic, or are they calm as they wait for someone to find them?

Want to know more?

Click on these links and read how to write great characters!

Writing mug shots – how a reprehensible website could make you a better writer by Paul M.M. Cooper

The creepiest (and best) creative writing exercise for character-development by Paul M.M. Cooper

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Are you confident, do you know what to say?

Published on June 16, 2017June 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Do you find it difficult to emerge from your writing world?

Confession time. sometimes I’m as tongue-tied as a teenager on her first date. I don’t have a clue what I should say.

Hello, my name is Jean and I’m an introvert.

More times than not, I prefer to stay home and talk to my imaginary friends. Meeting strangers leave me as tongue-tied as a teenager on her first date. I don’t have a clue what to say. And it seems that with each passing year, I find it more and more difficult.

And Lordy, don’t get me started on promoting my books. I’m a nervous wreck when it comes to that. I rather sit at my computer writing than convince people to buy something I’ve written.

So, just how does an introvert such as myself, have meaningful conversations with strangers?

Prepare.

Prepare for a meet and greet as if we were preparing to write. Because for people like me, networking is hard.

Here is a great article on conversation starters.

10 Handy Conversation Starters for Introverted Writers by LISA ROWAN

Here’s what I gleaned from Ms. Rowan’s article.

Memorize that elevator pitch. (yuck) But, don’t start off with the pitch.
Remember your manners. Show interest in the other person and listen. Most times, they’ll lead you right into the “pitch.”
Smile, no one wants to talk to a “resting bitch face.”
Break the ice with questions about the event.
Don’t make the entire conversation a sales pitch. (see #2)
Memorize some basic questions so you won’t be tongue-tied. Ms. Rowan gives a good list of icebreakers.

What do you think?

Do you have trouble in these situations?

Do you enjoy seminars, book festivals or book signings?

Is it easy for you to promote your books?

What is your secret to overcoming those butterflies?

Tell me in the comments section. I love hearing from Y’all.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Is it important for a writer to blog?

Published on June 14, 2017June 13, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Personally, I think it’s up to the individual writer.

So why do it? Why blog?

Believe me, there are weeks when I consider stopping. And I guess when I no longer enjoy meeting so many talented and informed writers, I’ll stop. But, I’ve learned a lot from each and every one of Y’all.

I also, blog about my learning process. Not an expert, I’m learning as I go and sharing helps me too. Sometimes I think it not only takes a village to raise a child but to develop a good writer. At least in my case. So, for now, I’ll carry on.

Head over to A Writer’s Path and read this article about why blogging important.