#amreading – Page 6 – Jean's Writing

If you want to submit, it’s important to know the rules

Published on May 10, 2017May 3, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

It’s been a long while since I submitted anything for a literary publication. As I’ve posted in the past, life gets in the way too many times and distracts me from #writing. This year I hope to do better. After setting my goals for the rest of the year, I need to lie down. Whew.

But back to submitting stories or articles. Check out the following post and…

Know the rules , stay organized.

Don’t get locked out when you submitt!

If you want to submit to publications, know the rules.

Connie Jasperson explains how to use Submittable and how to track your submissions. Keep reading and get to submitting that great story.

I’m a member of several author groups who regularly meet in online chat-rooms to talk about the craft. Every member of these groups are published authors, some traditionally, and some Indie. Many are hybrid, with work both traditionally and Indie published. Much of what we discuss involves the problems we face in developing marketing strategies. […]

via #amwriting: submissions: discovering who wants them and how to manage your backlist — Life in the Realm of Fantasy

Have you submitted anything recently? If not why?

Do you think submitting is an important part of being a writer?

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

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

Do you have a favorite first line?

Published on May 8, 2017May 5, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell23 Comments

A killer sentence that enticed you to keep reading?

You know what I mean. One sentence that draws you to the next like breadcrumbs along a deserted trail. You just have to know what the hell is going on.

I’ve read tons about hooking the reader. Bet you have too. Some authorities insist the hook must be the first paragraph, others first page and still others maintain a writer can take an entire chapter to grab the reader.

But, there is something to be said about a great first line.

Google best or favorite first lines in a book and you’ll get lots of links to hundreds of classics. But what about more current books?

What book have you read recently that had a killer first line?

I’d love to know. Do share!

Here are some of mine.

“They say I died.” Fortier, Anne. Juliet: A Novel

“Moonlight played tricks with my eyes as we circumvented the graveyard like an obstacle course.” Constantine, Cathrina. Don’t Forget to Breathe

“When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.” Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1)

Do you think the first line is all important? Or do you think a killer first paragraph is more important?

How can we write a first line that grabs?

I’m still working on that myself so I was thrilled to read a great post on how to write the first line.

Check out 3 Ways to a Killer Opening Line by Diane O’Connell.

What did I get from the post by Ms. O’Connell?

The first line need not be a long complicated sentence.
Use surprise and confusion make the reader question what the heck you’re referring to.
A vibrant, enchanting prose can pull the reader into the story.
The first line can be used to connect the reader to the thoughts and words of your protagonist.
Experiment with first lines. Find a killer line and play with it, change it and get the feel for how the author accomplished the art.

I see another rewrite in my immediate future. Sigh…

What do you think? Does this one work?

“I’m no stranger to police stations, often stopping by to interrogate the front-desk Sergeant.” Cogdell, Jean M

As always, below I’ve added a few links about grabbing the writer.

Happy reading.

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

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

How to start a novel: First sentences, first paragraphs

7 Keys To Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel by Joe Bunting

The 50 Best First Sentences in Fiction

What are your favorite opening lines from a book?

100 Best First Lines from Novels

Do you suffer from a fear of words?

Published on May 5, 2017May 5, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

Do you see your story in pictures or words?

Then you might be a visual writer.

After reading Nancy Friedman‘s post, I’m convinced. I’m a visual writer. Because I see glimpses of a story and then proceed to put the things I see into words. Not always an easy feat.

Writing pictures into words can be a problem if the writer has a fear of words.

I’m bad to write, in short, clipped sentences often failing to describe in detail what I want the reader to understand. Not good. So, I’m going to work on writing a little more prosaic.

If you ever find yourself at a loss for words?

You might be a visual writer.

If you ever have trouble with “what comes next” in a scene?

You might be a visual writer.

If you have trouble writing specific descriptions and hope the reader “gets it?”

You might be a visual writer. (this one is so me.)

So how do I use my visual ability to convey the right words at the right time and in the right order? How do I make sure my readers can see what I see?

Practice, practice, and practice. Practice with words.

Remember readers are not psychic. They cannot see a scene unless I paint a “verbal” picture.

PS: A little trivia. Logophobia, is a fear of words, talking. Also, who knew there is a Visual Thesaurus? Cool!

Go read Nancy’s article and tell me…

Are you a visual writer or a verbal writer?

Are the right words always at your beck and call?

Or do you struggle to describe the scenes dancing in your head?

Fear of Words (and Other Writer’s Blocks) by Nancy Friedman

Talk to me – I love reading your comments.

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

Is laughter really the best medicine?

Published on April 26, 2017April 26, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell20 Comments

If laughter is good for the soul maybe it’s good for the blahs.

And just maybe fun is just what a writer needs.

Has your muse has gone into hiding with a case of Spring fever? Then a good dose of fun might draw her back into the game.

We’ve all used prompts to write quick flash fiction, short stories or articles as a break from the arduous task of writing a novel. Right? So how about just for fun!

I recently found a generator and produces the goofiest prompts.

Below are three samples I generated. Click on the link and see what outrageous ideas you can come up with at Writers First Line Generator.

The day my mother was kidnapped, we all got religion.
The day the parrot bit my Dad, we buried the vicar.
It was a grey morning in September when the house fell down.

I chose the first one to play with, hope it makes you smile.

The day my mother was kidnapped, we all got religion.

They say there are no atheists in foxholes. Not sure who “they” are or what a foxhole is, but I’m sure the saying has something to do with praying. And there sure was a lot praying going on the day mama was kidnapped.

Aunt Bertha walked the floor hollering for the Holy Spirit to smite the devil that took Mama from her babies. Mind you I’m fourteen and Randy just turned sixteen. There are no babies left in our house. But that didn’t stop Aunt Bertha. No, she grabbed Daddy, who hadn’t seen the inside of a church since his wedding day, fell to her knees and went to praying so loud Mama’s commemorative state plates rattled against the wall. Sheriff Taggart had a real hard time writing in his little notepad what with all the caterwauling going on.

Randy and me hid up in my room because, truth-be-told, we were glad to see the last of Mama’s sharp tongue the day she rode off with Reverend Malcolm. Yeah, everyone found religion that day, especially Mama.

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