#amwriting – Page 15 – Jean's Writing

Do you think music inspires you when you write?

Published on October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

Or do you feel as to if the sound of music distracts you from your project?

For me, music is a distraction.

However, I’ve read a lot of articles from many writers about how music can set the tone and mood for their story.

Today one such post caught my eye and I thought maybe, just maybe I’m missing out on an important writing tool.

Read and tell me what you think.

8 Styles of Music to Help You Focus While You Write by DANA SITAR

I love music, country music is my favorite, although I’ve been known to listen to all types. From Bach to Jay-Z with lots of Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet in the mix. Yeah, my taste run wide. All depends on my mood at the moment, and of course the song.

Oh, one exception might be polka. Meh, not a fan.

So, after reading this post I began to think maybe, you who enjoy writing to music are on to something.

Writing with Music Issues:

Dance music. Tempted to dance instead of writing. Did I mention I love Country/Western?
Oldies. Drifting down memory, lane not good for writing a murder mystery. Love the Beatles. See, very eclectic.
Soundtrack. Now, this has possibilities. Will have to give this idea consideration.
Folk, Pop. See #1.
Jazz or Classical. Time for a nice glass of Rose on the back porch. So easy to procrastinate.
Electronic. Never considered this type of music. But I’m gonna say it is close to Polka on my scale.
Music in a foreign language. Ooh-la-la. Dim the lights and pour the champagne. No writing tonight.
Video Game or Movie Soundtracks. Yes! This is a keeper and great links.
Ambient Noise. Nope. I’ll be drooling on my laptop. Noise machines are what we use for the grandkids to help them sleep.

Somehow I ended up with one more than Dana but you get the idea.

What I want to know is does music help your writing? Or do you find it another avenue for procrastination?

Do you write more, or less, when the room is filled with music?

What is your favorite musical style to write by?

Let me know which works for you. I’m really interested.

You can always stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Are you weary of the depressing News?

Published on October 4, 2017October 3, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Well, I sure as hell am.

The news is depressing as hell. Hurricanes destroying our country, leaving people begging for food, shelter, and water. My heart breaks every time I see how many people are without water.

WATER, for the love of God!

And now another devastating shooting in Las Vegas! Unbelievable! Horrible!

Like so many of you, I spent Monday glued to the TV, vacillating between great sadness, anger, and helplessness. What could I do? I’m too far away to donate blood. I don’t have millions to give. Even the people WE elected to enact laws are doing nothing to help this problem. So what could one little ole writer do?

Then I read a post by Sarah Brentyn and realized something is better than nothing and the collective little can become large.

“The pen is mightier than the sword” were first written by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.

So, I’m joining in Sarah’s challenge to help the ravaged people of Puerto Rico and taking it a step further by issuing a second challenge for the victims of Las Vegas. KEEP READING.

Sarah’s challenge: Flash Fiction Prompt for Hurricane Relief #Flash4Storms by Sarah Brentyn

Sarah Brentyn aka Lemon Shark has issued a flash fiction challenge in support of hurricane relief. She will donate $1 to hurricane relief for every flash that is posted (up to $50). She even gives a link to ligit charities.

Here is my flash fiction contribution to Sarah’s Challenge:

A Mother’s Nightmare

I rise, stumble and fall among the debris. A soft cry penetrates the ringing in my ears. On all fours, I dig and claw through what is left of our home. Tears streak my face with mud. I pray God send help, I am but one.

Sarah’s challenge inspired me, I will match her donation $1.00 (up to $50.00) to One America Appeal (https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/) for hurricane relief to the first 50 writers who link or tag me in the comments section with their 50 word Flash Fiction story.

However, I want to issue a second challenge in honor of the Las Vegas victims.

My challenge is: for the first 50 people who TWEET your Congressman demanding Congress do something to stem this terrible wave of violence, I will donate $1.00 (up to $50.00) to the Go Fund Me Page for Las Vegas Victims set up by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, Congress does have one bill ready to pass but it will not stop the violence. The SHAREACT. And may God help us all if it passes. I shudder to think what the body count in Las Vegas would’ve been without the sound of gunfire for the first-responders to run toward. This does not make any sense!

Silencers, Armor-Piercing Bullets: Congress Looks to Roll Back Gun Laws by ALEX SEITZ-WALD

Now before anyone gets their panties in a wad, I’m a big believer in the constitution and in the 2nd Amendment but I also believe we must enact smarter laws that protect life. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. I’m tired of hearing, mowed down like sitting ducks, fish in a barrel, or other stupid metaphors. Children in a school room, people praying in their church, Congressmen practicing on the ball field and now a crowd enjoying a fall evening concert. Still, our government does nothing.

It is time for we the people, not the lobbyists, to rise up and be heard. Let the pen be mightier than the sword or gun as in this case. There must be a way we can stop our country from being turned into a war game.

Join my challenge:

Find your Congressman here: Members of Congress
Tweet requesting that Congress pass common-sense gun laws, use the hashtags #CommonSenseGunLaws, #jeanswriting
Paste a copy of your Tweet in the comments section on my blog

Now, how many are willing to join Sarah and me?

Write a flash fiction and tag us or take it a step further.

Can many strands make a strong rope? I believe so. Join us today. You can help from your computer. Your voice can count.

Can you donate $10, $20, or $50 for hurricane relief? For Las Vegas injured?

If you accept this challenge, which charity did you choose?

Click and join in, and let’s get this ball rolling.

You can always stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Thanks for all your good thoughts

Published on October 3, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Yay!

And I’m feeling better!

I’m back and able to string words into a coherent sentence again.

Even got a little writing done today.

Thank Y’all for all your well wishes. You guys rock!

Now back to work! We’ve got stories to tell.

You can always stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Everyone needs an extra day off now and again

Published on October 2, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

My apologies, today is mine.

Fall colds are the worst.

All weekend I’ve moved from bed to sofa and back again.

Thanks to a loving husband and wonderful neighbors no one here starved but I have to confess to being a bitch for the last few days.

Feeling a bit better today, but not 100 percent, so my apologies for no post today. My mind is still mush. Putting together sentences that make sense is quite hard. And I can’t imagine what my WIP would look like if I wrote doped up on cold medicine. Yikes!

See you on Wednesday when I’m more fit for company.

You can always stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on. But I may be napping today. LOL