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How to write a blurb that sells

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

When I find a good post I love reposting and sharing.

Sit back read and enjoy. Who knows this might be just the information that will help you launch your next best-selling book. 

As a beginner, I tried to get to know more about book blurbs since I needed to write my own. To make sure it will be appropriate and professional, I did some research, asked some experienced…

Source: Me and my book blurb by

Tell me what you think – I love reading your comments.

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What is the best writing tool?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

I don’t have the foggiest idea. There are too many to choose.

However, I have developed a love-hate relationship with Scrivener.

I love how I can put everything in one place. 

I hate how I can put everything in one place.

Sometimes, as we say in the South, I’ll get a wild hair and decide to clean out my closet. I’ll throw out the old stuff that no longer fits and organizing my shirts, pants, and dresses in a neat, orderly fashion. Everything hanging together by color and style. By the time I’m finished my closet would rival a display rack at Macy’s.

Too bad it doesn’t take long for everything to become a jumbled mess again. And I can’t find a damn thing to wear.

Okay, I can hear your gears turning. You want to know what the hell this has to do with Scrivener?

Scrivener is just like my closet. When I first begin a project, the organized folders, text pages, and index cards look so pretty. But then I begin moving and adding stuff. And soon. Poof!

Soon I’m not sure if I’ve got a cluttered mess of chaos or a mess of organized chaos.

Hmm, is there a difference? Again not sure.

There is a terrific post by someone who loves Scrivener.

8 Reasons why Scrivener is my writing tool of choice #amwriting #writing #writingtools #Scrivener   by G.L. CROMARTY

8 Reasons why I love/hate Scrivener.

  1. Let’s you chop up your book. Yep, and mine eventually looks like kindling.  

 

2. You can categorize and color code chapters. And voila, a coat of many colors or patchwork quilt not sure. 

3. Chapters have a status of draft, revised draft or completed. And who’s on first.

4. Compiling is easy. I do use it to compile a draft version but not for final publication. Hmm, define easy.

5. It comes with standard novel templates. The templates are nice to help with putting together a book.

6. You can add icons to chapters. This can be done in Word too. So not so sure why this is a big deal.

7. Target word counts. Yes! I love the target word count feature. This does help me stay focused when I write.

Scrivener

8. There is a note and synopsis section for each chapter. I do use this, but sometimes it only adds to my clutter.

Will I keep using this program? Probably, on and off, sometimes on occasion. Maybe.

What about you?

What is your writing tool of choice?

Have you tried Scrivener?

Love or hate it?

Tell me what you think – I love reading your comments.

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. 

 

 

 

Thanks to Pixabay.com for all the terrific artwork.

You can discover the perfect words every time

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Now I can spit out that word dangling on the tip of my tongue, every time.

Thanks to  Nicholas C. Rossis for showing me the way to The Phrase Finder. Cue sound effects.

Can you tell I’m excited? That I just love new toys?

I’m amped up, my head is spinning. I’m ready to pepper my stories with clichés right and left.

Whoa! This is so much fun. I just wasted half the morning playing on this website. You won’t believe how many funny phrases I found. Now how can I weave some of these outrageous sentences in my WIP?

“Just my luck, my bread falls butter side down. Every damn time,” she said. (Jean M. Cogdell)

Y’all pity my editor. LOL

All joking aside, this new writing tool is a game changer for prompts.

I hope you’ll go read the post by Nicholas and check out The Phase Thesaurus.  

Tell me…

Do you like finding new writing tools?

Is this something you might use?

What do you think about the Phase Thesaurus?

I love reading your comments.

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. 

Don’t waste your money, learn how to advertise

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Your book on Amazon.com

Thanks to a post by I think one day I may be ready to advertise on Amazon. But not today. 

This is a bit over my head and after reading his post I confess to a raging headache. But two aspirin, I’m happy to report that I’m back to normal. And although I may not land on the bestseller list anytime soon, I don’t think I’m quite ready to tackle this advertising mountain yet.

Read this post by Nicholas and see if you’re ready to take the plunge.

Don’t Advertise With Amazon Until You’ve Read This by

Have you invested in advertising? Amazon or where?

What was your experience?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

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.