#amwriting – Page 124 – Jean's Writing

What to do with those ideas

Published on July 17, 2015July 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Well, I’m still on the idea kick.

I’ll leave the subject for a while after this post. But I couldn’t resist one more after reading FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS by Chris Eboch.

My last couple of posts have been about finding ideas. Okay, now that we’ve found an idea or a dozen what to do with them. Hmm….

Ms. Eboch explains if an idea is just running around in your head, like a hamster on a wheel you may have a premise rather than a story plan.

So what to do with this premise?

She breaks it down in simple to understand steps. Here are some highlights. To read the full article click on the links.

#1 – Situation

Needs a main character with a problem or goal.

#2 – Complication

That makes the goal difficult

Try the “rule of three” the main character tries to solve the problem three times.

Secondary characters can contribute to the problems and solutions

FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS Part II by Chris Eboch.

#3 – Climax

For a feeling of breathless speed, keep the sentences and paragraphs short.

#4 – Resolution

In most cases, it’s best for the main character to resolve their problems or meet their goals themselves.

The resolution finishes the climax, but it comes from the situation: it’s how the main character finally meets that original challenge.

I hope you enjoy her articles as much as I did and turn those premise nuggets into full grown stories. And this bit of fun reliving the USA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 victory.

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals remember to tell me what you think.
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My broken blue heart

Published on July 16, 2015July 14, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

The breeze wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but gave me little comfort. A shadow darkened the sun, and my face was covered in shadow as a cloud blocked the sun. I stared at the sky and wished I could fly. High above the trees into the clouds away from here and him. I closed my eyes and imagined the grass a magic carpet that would lift me up to parts unknown. To a place free of heartbreak and sadness. Somewhere my soul would feel joy again. Somewhere no clouds would ever darken the blue sky again.

This was my contribution to The Prompt #74 Blue

Want to give it a try be sure and hop over and click on the link.

Echoes of Sadness© – My Poem of the Day (07/07/15)

Do you need writing ideas?

Published on July 15, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Stumped for ideas?

Me too. More often than I like to admit. Sometimes though my ideas pop up from the most unexpected places.

This week a comment made by an eight year old began to ferment in my brain and before long the germ of an idea took root and a book was born. I sat down and in one day did the rough draft from start to finish. Of course, it’s a very rough draft. There is still a lot of work to do.

Another idea came just this morning from a tiny blurb in the morning paper. I’m still turning it over in my mind. My blog, and story ideas come from all over the web and various books. I’m determined to improve my writing skills so I write various posts to help me learn and remember. I hope they help my readers too.

If you’re looking for ideas, this post from Stoney deGeyter at Marketing Land.com might get your brain cooking with…

12 Ways To Mine Your Own Mind For Content Ideas

#3 & #4 has me pumping on all cylinders: Twitter is my latest addiction, so why not use it for new ideas….

#6 – I wish, but with my Southern twang, I sound just awful in recordings.

#8 – I love this idea. And I’m working on taking more pictures because you never know when one might come in handy.

#11 – I’ve given this a lot of thought, but that’s about all. Donna Florack over at Heron There and Everywhere did this after finishing the A to Z Challenge. As a result, at the end of the challenge she had a book ready to publish. That’s what I call planning and follow through. Way to go Donna. Maybe one day I’ll be as brave.

Although written from the marketing side, the premise of this article can be used for almost all types of writing.

Now go get inspired.

A thief in the night

Published on July 14, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Here is my practice prompt for the day!

Five Sentence Fiction – Thief

I jerked awake. The sound of pressure on the third stair echoed through the silent house. Jake heard it too. I reached for my phone as he took chase. Jake’s loud bark followed the pounding footsteps of the would-be thief.