#amwriting – Page 59 – Jean's Writing

Do you think more submissions equal more success?

Published on August 31, 2016June 8, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

If the more you write, the more ideas you’ll find is true then…

What about the more rejections you receive, the more success you will have?

believe in yourself

In a recent conversation with another writer, I mentioned my life had been so hectic lately I hadn’t submitted any short stories for publication in almost a year. Not because I don’t have a story or two squirreled away, but because it takes time to polish each story to fit the contest or publication.

In the past, I’ve learned a lot about myself and my writing style from the rejections and successes of submissions to magazines and writing contests. So maybe I’m hurting my writing by not continuing to submit to multiple outlets.

Do you think a writer gets stale when they fail to push in multiple directions?

Or should a writer concentrate on one thing at a time?

What do you think?

Ready to submit and hone your skills? Keep reading.

When it comes to making it as a writer, there are no hard and fast rules, it seems. For writers who have spent the better part of their lives receiving rejection letters, there’s always the J.K. Ro…

Source: 5 Great Online Resources for Writers: Guest Post by Isa Cox

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell,Facebook at jean.cogdell 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.

The More You Write, the More Ideas You’ll Have

Published on August 29, 2016August 22, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Good point, guess I need to write more.

Where to start, ABC…

Y’all read on…

by Millie Ho I used to think that I would run out of ideas if I wrote too much. This fear drained my ability to write at times. But it made sense, right? Your mind can only generate so much …

Source: The More You Write, the More Ideas You’ll Have

Do you get more ideas the more you write?

Or do you find ideas come when you take a break from writing?

Tell me, I’d love to know!

Click the “write me” tab or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell,Facebook at jean.cogdell 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.

Do you know how to write a sensual scene?

Published on August 26, 2016April 15, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

Well, I didn’t but I’m learning!

First, let me say I’m a big fan. So I was thrilled to find Diana Gabaldon had written a book on writing.

“I Give You My Body . . .”: How I Write Sex Scenes (Kindle Single) by Diana Gabaldon

This book did not disappoint! And believe me, I’ve read a few “how-to” books that did.

Writing love or sex scenes can make the best of us a bit squeamish at times. Ever feel as though the scene is overdone or too juvenile? Take heart, in her book Ms. Gabaldon shows not tells us how to write with humor and candid language that doesn’t turn our script into a purple nightmare of adjectives and adverbs.

Maybe you’re not a fan of historical fiction, or maybe you’ve no plans to add a sex scene to your novel, but every writer can learn something from her secrets for showing character emotion.

For the soul of a story is the characters. Their emotions are what connects the reader. Ms. Gabaldon breaks down scene by scene her secrets for drawing the reader in and letting them feel what the character is feeling.

A must-have for your writing library.

"I Give You My Body . . .": How I Write Sex Scenes (Kindle Single) by [Gabaldon, Diana] — Click image to read a sample

Do you have a favorite “how-to” writing book?

I’d love to hear about it! Do tell!

Click the “write me” tab or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell,Facebook at jean.cogdell 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.

Will it hurt the progress if you step away?

Published on August 25, 2016August 25, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Well, I’m about to find out.

I’m going to leave behind my computer, with all my characters tucked safely inside, for the next three weeks. It feels as though I’m leaving puppies at the house unsupervised.

Now if you think that means I won’t be bugging you with posts from Jean’s Writing, no such luck. I always write my posts days ahead and schedule them for release through Tweetdeck. So my blog is covered. This enables me to spend a few hours each week on my blog and the rest of the time on my various other writing projects.

But, I’m going to visit my beautiful granddaughters and want to give them my undivided attention. We all know how needy characters can be, so that’s why I’m leaving them behind.

A paper journal is all I’m taking to jot down thoughts as they pop up but that’s not the same as writing every day. I’m feeling a tad anxious. In the past, few days here and there hasn’t bothered me but this will be almost three weeks before I will be back at the computer and ready to write. I sure hope they are still there when I return.

What will happen to them while I’m away?

Will they starve or forget me? Will I forget them?

Here is how I’m reassuring myself.

My brain could use a little R&R.
I may find new material out in the world.
Time to live in the moment not in my imagination.
I’ll have time to read for pure pleasure.
And best of all I get to spend time with my kids!
My characters will be waiting when I return. Right?

If you need reassurance about a much-needed break, click on the links at the bottom of this post.

What is the longest break you’ve ever taken from writing?

Was it hard to get back in the groove and flow?

Do you think writing breaks help or hurt?

Give me some encouragement peeps!

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell,Facebook at jean.cogdell 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.