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Do you know how to Stumble? Get help from Toolbar

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Last week I shared a bit about the Stumbleupon.

stumbleupon-mine

This seemed to spark more questions so I went in search of more answers. I mean if I’m going to use a media, best to use it correctly. Right?

One thing I’d failed to do was add the Toolbar. This makes Stumbling so much easier. So, I thought some of you might want to know how too.

Let’s get started.

Here are the links you’ll need:

Just click and follow the instructions. It’s super easy.

I don’t use IE so, not sure how to do ADDON for that browser. Sorry folks.

Want to know more about using StumbleUpon?

Here is a good video to help.

Don’t forget! Please Stumble my posts!

Did the ADDON work?

Do you Stumble?

Leave a comment and let me know how this worked for you!

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, 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.

Discover the truth about writing that best-seller

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

According to Florence Osmund, writers need to separate truth from myth on the road to becoming a successful writer.

What a relief to read that Ms. Osmund also learns the hard way, by doing. That’s me. Doing things wrong about six ways to Sunday and re-doing them again. Makes writing exhausting.

Isn’t it great when authors share their experiences in hopes of helping struggling writers like myself? I think so.

writer

So what did I learn from her article?

  • I need to find an editor for my WIP sooner than later.
    • Apparently several. Just one won’t do.
    • Your best friend may mean well but you get what you pay for. So bite the bullet and pay for a professional.
  • That being in control is a two-edged sword.
    • But, hey I’m a control freak.
  • No one enjoys marketing.
    • What a relief, thought I was the only one.
  • Writing a “best seller” is about as easy as threading a camel through the eye of a needle.
    • Wishing won’t make it so.
    • Good thing I enjoy writing.
  • Writing is not cheap.
    • I’m beginning to see that.
  • Promote, promote and promote the book.
    • Again with the marketing.
  • Price matters.
    • Like Goldilocks, not too high, not too low but just right.

Go and read her article at The Book Designer. Here’s the link: 

Four Truths and Four Myths That Every New Novelist Should Know

Any of these truths new to you?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon,  on Twitter @jeancogdell , Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, 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.

Images by Pixabay.com

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How to add a StumbleUpon share button

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

I’ve read some terrific posts about the fun and importance of Stumbling.

If you missed them do yourself a favor and go to the links below and read.

However, some people have had problems adding the StumbleUpon share button to their blog. So I decided to help with one of my videos.

Hope it helps.

Did this work?

Have you added this sharing button?

Keep Reading: 

3 Ways StumbleUpon Can Get YOU Noticed January 10, 2017 Dan Alatorre AUTHOR

StumbleUpon Follow-Up: The Results Look Like This Posted on January 23, 2017 Eva Blaskovic

Leave a comment and let me know how this worked for you!

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, 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.

How to layer your story with secrets, mystery and illusion

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

DAN ALATORRE gave me a lot to think about when he asked, “…if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it?” 

The HP books are some of my favorites. I mean, who wouldn’t want to write like JK Rowling?

Dan’s post discussed the art of layering a story. Layers add mystery, intrigue, and magic which keeps the reader guessing.

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Ms. Rowling opens her first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, adding a sense of mystery in the third paragraph with a secret.

Does the character in your WIP (work in progress) have a secret?

Do you agree that a secret, mystery or illusion gives a story layers?

Is it enough for the main protagonist to have a secret or should there be multiple secrets scattered throughout the story?

Read the rest of Dan’s post and tell me what you think about layering.

So… Not the beat this J. K. Rowling thing to death, but… You have to ask yourself: if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it? First you have to come up with an idea.…

Source: How To Write Better Stories: Layering

In case you’ve been in WITSEC or living underground for the last few years and haven’t read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hop over to Amazon and grab it while it’s still available through the KU program.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by [Rowling, J.K.]
Amazon.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebhH3lnvq0

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

But now I’m gonna go and add some layers to my WIP.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, 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.