Tag: #amwriting

How to layer your story with secrets, mystery and illusion

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

DAN ALATORRE gave me a lot to think about when he asked, “…if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it?” 

The HP books are some of my favorites. I mean, who wouldn’t want to write like JK Rowling?

Dan’s post discussed the art of layering a story. Layers add mystery, intrigue, and magic which keeps the reader guessing.

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Ms. Rowling opens her first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, adding a sense of mystery in the third paragraph with a secret.

Does the character in your WIP (work in progress) have a secret?

Do you agree that a secret, mystery or illusion gives a story layers?

Is it enough for the main protagonist to have a secret or should there be multiple secrets scattered throughout the story?

Read the rest of Dan’s post and tell me what you think about layering.

So… Not the beat this J. K. Rowling thing to death, but… You have to ask yourself: if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it? First you have to come up with an idea.…

Source: How To Write Better Stories: Layering

In case you’ve been in WITSEC or living underground for the last few years and haven’t read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hop over to Amazon and grab it while it’s still available through the KU program.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by [Rowling, J.K.]
Amazon.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebhH3lnvq0

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

But now I’m gonna go and add some layers to my WIP.

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To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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You can start this new year with a new journal

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

A New Year begins and so do the resolutions.

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I’m sure for a lot of people, not just writers, one of those resolutions is to write. To keep a diary or journal. However, putting your thoughts and feelings to paper can be daunting.

But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed or intimidated.

Writing is made easier with the right prompts and encouragement.

I’ve published a journal to empower and enable you to put those thoughts to words. This little journal provides a jumping off point for that diary you dreamed of keeping. Write daily, weekly or when the mood strikes.

There are two sizes to choose from, 6 x 9 and a pocket edition.

Please hop over to Amazon.com and it out.

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Do you journal?

Have you thought about writing in a journal?

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think about keeping a journal or diary.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

 

Update: Publishing mistakes I made this year

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Yep, I’ve more mistakes to add to last years list!

You may have noticed I’ve been off-line for a few days. Nine and counting to be exact. But who’s counting.

Boy was I a little premature. 

Nothing much beats starting off the new year with mistakes and big ones!

Now I can give you a lot of reasons/excuses why I made these doozies but let’s face it, from time to time I just do dumb stuff.

The only reason I’m on-line today is because I “borrowed” a computer from hubby. He’s on the golf course. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

But back, to my big mistakes. Which turned out to be the worst and most expensive mistakes I’ve ever made. Knock on wood. Sigh…

Want to know how I started off 2017?

  • Failed to backup computer. Sick with the flu, and put off doing computer housework (excuse #1.)
  • Downloaded a program without checking source. At least that’s what I think happened. (never had issues before.)

Then wham bam, my computer got the dreaded green screen of death! Or its first cousin.

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No backup for 6 weeks! I cried. The poor thing has been with the Geek Squad at Best Buy ever since. Even the Geeks are having problems repairing and restoring my baby.

In more years than I like to admit, this is the first time I’ve killed a computer. Guess I was due.

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Pixabay Image

So now having started off 2017 with a bang, I’m worried my mistakes this year might over take 2016!

Read last months post about my mistakes:

First, let me say my mistakes were expensive. Now that I’ve got that off my chest I’ll try to share something constructive. I rushed the process. Those who know me, stop snickering. I&#…

Source: Publishing mistakes I made this year

Have you ever received the Blue or Green screen of death?

How did you cope?

Did you recover your files?

Do tell, misery loves company.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.

How A Great Idea becomes A Great Story: “Angel” Chapter 1

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

Great advice Dan! “Your readers are expecting more than reality.”

If you missed this series, you must go to DAN ALATORRE‘s website.

Here is a link to the first installment. Terrific insight into the writing process.

Don’t you just love it when a successful writer lets you see in their soul?

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Image source

Read and enjoy… 

How do you make a neat idea into a great story? You take the idea, get it out of your head and onto paper/into the computer, and then you refine it until it sings with the clarity of a tuning fork,…

Source: How A Great Idea becomes A Great Story: “Angel” Chapter 1

 

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter  peeps and Facebook fans.