#amreading – Page 9 – Jean's Writing

Do you need to know what to expect?

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

When you ask someone to read your book?

Well, Evie Gaughan writes on her blog what to do and what to expect for writers.

Reviews: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

I couldn’t agree more with her points. Begging for reviews is terrible practice but reviews authors must have.

So how do we keep our dignity?

Remember our manners. Say please and thank you.
Be gracious, we’re asking a big favor and may not always like the answer.
Tell the reviewer how important they are. Authors need reviews.
Agreeing to read our books is deserves our gratitude no matter what.
Let the reviewer know you value their time.
After going for the ask, let it go. Forget about it.

What do you think?

Are we becoming too rude with our expectations?

How do you find reviewers?

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.

If you love new blog tips, this is for you

Published on March 15, 2017March 14, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Never again have to dig through dozens of blog post to find the most popular ones.

All you have to do is stick them on top for all to see.

Okay, maybe this trick is new only to me.

Maybe y’all knew this all along but be kind and pretend so I can enjoy my excitement for just a second. I just love new tips!

I was so excited when I opened up my favorite Ape’s website and read how to add sticky notes to my website. Hey, it’s the little things in life. LOL

So, just in case I’m not the only blogger in this big worldwide web that doesn’t know how y’all can head over to the Ape’s and read How to make a WordPress Sticky Post?

First, try on my blog, eureka! Success!

Is this a trick you could use?

Did you already know about sticky notes for WordPress?

Did you try it?

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

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

Do you know where to look?

Published on March 13, 2017March 9, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

For that next book idea?

There’s nothing new under the sun.

In other words, no new ideas. Even inventions are the result of a previous idea or invention. One thing always leads to another.

So where do other writers get their ideas?

They steal, from each other and everyone.

From movies, books, TV, newspapers (a great source for SF), or their great Aunt Fanny.

Remember, everything old is new again! That’s where.

I know, enough clichés. But you get the point. Click and read this terrific article about Michael Crichton and how he turned the ideas of others into best-selling books with his own twist.

HOW MICHAEL CRICHTON MINED CLASSIC LITERATURE TO WRITE MODERN SCIENCE FICTION by tylermillerwrites

Talk to me – I love comments.

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

Now, how about you?

Have your ideas been sparked by a favorite movie or book?

Could you take a kernel from it and make it your own?

Keep Reading – More great articles ahead!

How To (Legally and Ethically) Steal Ideas

Borrowing, Stealing, and Building Upon Other People’s Writing Ideas by Melissa Donovan

Why You Should Steal From Other Authors by K.M. Weiland

Do you think it’s important to hook fast?

Published on March 6, 2017March 5, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell25 Comments

A reader that is.

How soon should a reader expect to feel the tug of a hook? That ah-ha moment that keeps them turning the page?

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First paragraph, page, or chapter?

At times I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I’ll mess with an opening until I feel that tug myself. Then I can continue writing. Often I’ll rewrite the beginning of a story a dozen times before I feel happy with it. I’m not talking about grammar mistakes. Those are easy fixes by an editor. I’m talking about that “feeling.”

There are a lot of do’s and do not’s but the most important rule to me is “feeling” that tug. That knowing hook.

I’ll be buzzing right along in the middle of a scene when bam, I know something is wrong. The line broke. I have to go back and fix my hook and bait. Wiggle the line until once again I feel that familiar tug. vintage-1817338_640 How about y’all? Do you write until the opening tugs at you to go on or do you just wing it?