Jean's Writing

What is the first thing you see?

Published on March 22, 2017March 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

When you choose which book to read how do you decide?

Me? I look at the name, cover, and the number of reviews. In that order.

Why in that order? Because a name can tell me a lot about a book and sorry, but I do judge a book by its cover. The cover doesn’t have to be a smashing, professional, polished job but the cover must match the name and pique my interest.

As for the number of reviewers, well I want to see how many have read the book and the ratio of star reviews. Because, yes quantity is as important as quality. The reviews need not all be four or five-star reviews, but if there are only a few, they should be glowing, knock it out of the park reviews to grab my attention.

Now I’m ready to see what everyone had to say. This may surprise you, but I read the lowest star review first, not the five-star.

Why? Because I want to see the reason someone would give a book a low rating.

Often I learn more from them than the high ones. And believe it, or not, the three or four-star reviews have on occasion enticed me to click buy.

So don’t be shy. You picked that book for a reason. Share your reasons for picking it, and reading it.

The author and other readers will be grateful.

How do you choose a book to read?

Do you always leave a review?

Do you at least click a star review?

Talk to me – I love 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.

How to fix that cookie banner on your website

Published on March 21, 2017March 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

The EU requires we use the cookie banner pop-up.

If it isn’t one thing, it’s another to keep up with.

But! Hold on, there is a way to ease the disturbance.

Chis, my favorite Ape, comes to the rescue with a fix!

Click and follow his step-by-step to set your banner to time out.

EU Cookie Law Banner Timed Appearance

Thanks, Chris it was easy.

Did it work for y’all? Let me know.

Were you aware of the issue?

Leave me a comment – I love comments.

Please 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.

Do you want to know just the right word?

Published on March 20, 2017March 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell26 Comments

Happens to me more than I’d like to admit!

I’ve found a tool to help!

I’m on a roll, typing like a maniac.

Until I stumble over a word.

My writing comes to a screeching halt. A word isn’t right. But I don’t want to stop my progress. After all, I’m a writing maniac. So I use a placeholder, I’ll come back to this section later and figure out the right word or words to convey my thoughts.

However, I’ve now got an itch I can’t scratch. That thought, that missing word or phase will not leave me alone.

Ever happen to you?

My protagonist whispers he can’t work like this, it’s too unprofessional.

Sigh, okay, I cave, save what little progress I’ve made and return to my placeholder. So I…

Think, think, think, I’ve got nothing.
Look up the placeholder word. Huh? Not even close. What was I thinking?
Check thesaurus. What the hell?
Ask my protagonist. He’s left for coffee. Hope he gets two because my brain must be asleep.

Oh happy day! I StumbledUpon a great new website!

If y’all used this like forever, keep your gloating to yourself. Let me enjoy my new toy.

OneLook’s thesaurus / reverse dictionary

This is a cool tool to find the word to match an idea or phrase. Maybe you’ve used the standard search available from the home page, which shows you a list of definition links for any word you type in. However, this is the reverse:

Onelook reverse-

Has filters.
- Starts with, Number of letters, Related to, Rhymes with, Sounds like, etc.
A browser link for easy access.
- Instructions click here
A Wildcard option.
- Go to the FAQ page This is cool.
Generate a group of words on a subject.
- books, cheese, TV shows, etc…
Find answers.
- longest river in the US, friend of Big Bird on Sesame Street, etc.

Have you been using this reverse dictionary?

Think you might find this useful in the future?

Talk to me – comments are my all time favorite things.

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

Want to know why you need to leave a review?

Published on March 17, 2017March 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Do you know why this is important?

I mean really important?

It helps a writer? Yes, of course. But there is more to it than that.

When we eat out, we leave the wait staff a tip. Even if the service is lousy, we leave a tip. Might be small, but we leave something behind. The staff worked hard to provide the meal, and our tip our acknowledgment. We may never return to that restaurant again, but that’s okay.

The same thing holds true for a book. The author works hard to produce a product for readers to enjoy. Some will enjoy the story more than others, but everyone should leave behind a tip (review.) Short and sweet, or long and eloquent, leave a review it doesn’t matter.

Don’t know what to say? Here’s a tip: read what others have said and to get ideas, to prime your thoughts into your own words.

Don’t have time to write a wordy review? Click on the stars but leave behind that tip with a one or five star review.

Remember to let the author know you read their book. The best way to do that is to write a review. Leaving your footprints in the sands of Amazon and Goodreads is important.