Tag: #amwriting

Are you still learning how to write what you mean?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Talking and writing are so different. Saying what you mean and writing what you want to say is not always easy.

So what about an online writing course?

Seems as if there are as many online courses as there are blogs. So how do you pick a good one? They all sound wonderful.

When testimonials and sales pitches hit my inbox, I ooh and ah over them like I’m paging through Neiman’s Christmas catalog.

Here are a few that make me drool:

WOW, Women on Writing, Writers Digest, Udemy, Youtube, and of course there’s Ted Talks. Don’t you just love Ted Talks? Then there are the Universities, online or local.

And I didn’t even try to list all the bloggers who offer classes. I don’t know about you but, I can’t just throw away hundreds of dollars every year. If I bite the bullet and purchase one of the many classes available it sure as hell better be worth the money. Not sure my husband would understand. And pointing out they are tax-deductible only works so many times.

Thanks to Y’all, I do learn something new about writing every day. And, I want to continue to learn and hone my craft. Now retaining all this information is another challenge. But, we’ll talk memory issues another time.

My big fear is that after buying an online course, discover it has little substance and is part of a larger sales pitch. Or the content is too elementary. I mean, Grammarly can pick out spelling errors. Sheesh.

So, back to my questions.

How do you know which one is best? Not just best in content but also best for you?

How do you feel about online courses? 

Have you taken any online courses you loved? Or hated?

Is there one you’d recommend?

What do you look for in a good writing course?

Talk to me, I love your 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. 

How to add wonder to your writing

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

I wonder what will happen next.

The dream of every writer is to make the reader question and wonder about everything happening to your characters.

But how to give readers that sense of awe, curiosity, or admiration?

And more than that why do we want to achieve this lofty goal?

Because…

A sense of wonder will keep readers turning pages.

I loved this post by Janice Hardy.

Janice put a different twist on the usual questions writers ask. And a different twist for me means a new twist for my readers.

Remember:

  • don’t be predictable
    • delicious or poison
    • dead-end or right destination
  • make the reader worry
    • success and failure,
    • secrets and truths
    • a clean the kitchen or a bloody mess
  • a hook in the beginning and triggers throughout
    • good fisherman plays with the fish, so does a good writer

When the reader needs to catch their breath is the time to relax the tension. After all, no ones want to hang on a cliff forever.

Now head over and read her post. Tell me what tips did you get from Janice Hardy?

Whether you are an outliner, or fly by the seat of your pants, this post will give you a new look at old questions.

What Do You Want Readers to Wonder About? by Janice Hardy

I’m wondering, did her tips help you? 

I’d love to hear how you apply wonder to a current WIP. Do share.

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

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. 

 

Do you want to learn the next big thing in writing?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

It’s not very hard to make your own podcast.

But still not sure about dipping my toe in the waters of Podcast.

What about you?

Well, to make your decision easier, last week I posted a list of places where you could submit your podcast.

So I thought it might be a good time to help with a little DIY.

What do you think?

Are you ready to give it a try?

There are lots of programs out there give it a Google.

What did you find?

 

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

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. 

 

 

Is this the next great thing for writers?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell11 Comments

Podcast 

Have you considered submitting a story for a podcast?

I’ll be honest, I haven’t given it a lot of thought.

Not sure why. My sister submitted one of hers to No Extra Words, and it sounds terrific. You can listen to “Life in Repetition” by Sheila M Good in Episode 35  But me,  I’m still a bit unsure about the medium.

On YouTube, you can find everything from How to write fiction, to Horror Animated Stories. Seems there are a more ways to tell your story than just putting words on paper.

There are lots of places to you can submit a Flash Fiction and Short Story Podcast. If you’re ready, check out the following websites.

11 Podcasts That Want Your Writing Lists and Round Ups, Tips & Tricks by Susan Maccarelli

No Extra Words

Writing Class Radio

The Lapse True Stories

Story Story Podcast 

Have you submitted a podcast anywhere?

Is this something you might do?

Do you think writers benefit from podcasts?

 

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

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. 

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