#amwriting – Page 111 – Jean's Writing

Does your title feed curiosity?

Published on September 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Do you need to change the title?

Connecting with readers is our goal as writers.

So what comes first?

The cover or the title?

A cover draws the eye to a book, but a title should tweak a reader’s curiosity enough to open that book.

I can’t thank everyone enough for their feedback on my cover. You pushed me to do better. Which got me to thinking about the title.

I’ve never been quite content with the title, and this unease led me to do a little research. Letting go of a “working title” is not easy and finding a new one even harder.

A working title gets a writer started on a story line, at least that’s what works for me. More times than not, the title or the first line is what inspires me.

But often after the story is finished, the “working title” no longer seems to fit. Like pants that are a bit too snug after a week of overindulgence, the story has out grown the title.

Here are my questions….

How do you, as a writer, produce a memorable title?

How does a writer pick a better fitting title?

When do you know the title is just right?

Be it a song, short story, flash fiction or a novel, the title must stay with the reader.

As with an old TV show, Name that Tune, will readers be able to “name that book?”

a) I am Malala

b) Wonder

c) Go Set a Watchman

d) 50 Shades of Grey

I know matching these 4 books is easy. Everyone remembers NYT Bestseller books. So fingers crossed our books will be as memorable!

In the following post, Carol Benedict gives 6 brainstorming ideas to help get the title just right.

How to Choose a Good Title for Your Story by Carol Benedict

Mr. Floyd writes that a good story might never be read if the title fails to do its job. He gives a few rules to guide us as well as sources to jog the imagination.

Choosing the Right Name for Your Story by John Floyd…

A staff writer over at Writers Relief, talks about just how hard coming up with a killer title is. You might want to click on this link to read the listed “elements” of a good title.

How To Come Up With A Great Title For Your Book (Or Story Or Poem) by Staff Writer.

And then there is this post by Karen Woodward. She gives us more links on how to brainstorm titles and…

4 Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing A Title For Your Book

Now, tell me…

How do you pick a title? How do you know when the title fits the body of your book?

You’ve made it this far so give me a few more seconds and share your technique for writing a killer title. Then please share on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you need to start over?

Published on September 25, 2015September 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Or maybe you need a jump-start?

Here lately, my writing resembled a stalled car with a dead battery.

After finishing a couple of projects, I can’t seem to revive a WIP I’d put on a back burner. Seems as if the life support I’ve had this particular WIP is failing. So, I’m toying with pulling the plug, and starting something new.

But where to start?

How do I begin?

Rereading books on structure and outline can’t seem to get my engine revved and going.

I recently read an article about Mind Mapping for writers.

Now for many of you this is not a new concept. However, I’ve been so focused on outlining that I hadn’t given much thought to Mind Mapping. Until now.

How to Use a Mind Map to Start Your Book BY NINA AMIR

Ms. Amir refers to Mind Mapping as “The Brain Dump” method. I think that may be part of my problem. There is so much swirling around in my mind that I need to clean house. A brain dump might be the thing for me.

My first go at Mind Mapping, I used a large sheet of paper and wrote thoughts down in small squares. However, I like the idea of Post-It Notes. The small notes are flexible and easier to move around to the right location.

There are several ways to Mind Map and several programs for you Techies. In this article, Ms. Amir gives links to software programs if you want to give mapping with your computer a try.

Questions:

Do you think Mind Mapping might jump-start your writing?
Have you ever used Mind Mapping?
Which technique did you use?
Did you like the process?

You’ve made it this far, let me know what you think and two more seconds to share this post with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you have a monster holding you back?

Published on September 24, 2015September 21, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Okay, I’ll fess up!

Number two is my biggest issue.

I’m so bad at having a dozen tabs open.

After checking my emails, I leap from article to article and before I know it the morning is gone. One glance at the clock and I want to kick myself.

There are so many great tips with which I can enhance my blog or WIP, I want to read them all. But I’ve got to learn to wrangle in those dang monsters of distraction.

One suggestion is to switch up your location. For me, moving from my desk to the back porch, in good weather, does seem to jog my creative juices.

Which one is your nemesis?

6 Monsters Killing Your Writing Ability by Adam Davis

So get going and slay a monster or two.

Now time for me to stop playing with all these tabs and get back to writing.

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!