#amwriting – Page 60 – Jean's Writing

Reading the right stuff can make you a better writer

Published on August 24, 2016August 24, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

This is not “breaking news.”

Every writer understands the importance of reading and keeping, those reference books close by.

However, are you reading the right books or stories?

I know, I know there are only so many hours in the day.

Yes, there are days when reading or writing is just not in the cards. Yesterday, allergies had my eyes swollen to mere slits so sitting in front of the computer or even reading a book was impossible.

We all have our favorite genres. Me I love YA books. I’m a big Harry Potter and Hunger Games fan. But I also love historical novels like The Outlander Series, or on a cold winter weekend I enjoy a good Steven King that will keep me up all night, but then I’m gonna need a light humorous read like those written by Janet Evanovich to shake out the hee bee jee bees. So you can see my tastes are as varied as an all you can eat buffet.

But what about contests?

Books that I enjoy reading for pleasure are not going to help me with a short story or flash fiction contest.

Stop don’t hit that enter key yet!

Read these tips first, maybe they’ll help:

Read, reread and then read again the contest and submission rules.

I know sounds logical but you’d be surprised how many times I’ve missed something in the rules section.

Read about the contest judge.

Read everything you can about the judges. If they have a website, if they have published articles, stories or books then read them. These things will give you an insight into the style they enjoy. Judges are objective but they are also human.

Read stories and articles published on the magazine website.

Study what type of stories the editors gravitate toward.

Read past winning stories.

Not just the last one but go back a couple of contests. This may require you buying the editions. The investment will be worth it.

Now after all of this homework, you may discover this isn’t the right place for your story.

Writing for contests and magazines can be rewarding and fun but it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s a good place to hone your writing skills and grow a thick skin as the rejection slips fill up your email box. I opened up a file folder to save all mine in, as a reminder to stay focused.

I enjoy writing short stories and love Flash Fiction but I no longer devote so much of my writing time to submitting to every contest that pops in my email box. Like I said there is only so many hours in a day.

Do you read and research before submitting to a contest?

Do you have any winning tips to share?

What is your experience with writing contests?

Do you have a favorite magazine or website you like to enter?

Check the links at the bottom of the post, because if you’re ready I’ve added some links that host writing contest. I’m sure there are tons more, but this should get you started.

Let me know if you enter!

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.

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WOW Women on Writing Deadlines

FlashFiction Online

2016 DWL SHORT STORY

Mashstories.com

Shortstops Competitions

Let's Write a Short Story! by [Bunting, Joe] — Click to Read Sample

Crafting Novels & Short Stories: Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction by [Editors of Writer's Digest] — Click to Read Sample

Avoid costly mistakes and toss old rules

Published on August 22, 2016August 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell19 Comments

Out with the old and in with the new!

Although this may reveal more about my age than I would care to, please be polite and pretend not to notice.

Now that I’ve got this disclaimer out-of-the-way, I’ll continue.

Old rule, two spaces after a sentence end.
New rule. one space after a sentence.

Old rule, two lines after a paragraph.
New rule, one line after a paragraph.

When I first began the submission process I was rejected for formatting mistakes. Yes, sometimes your piece can be rejected not because of the grammar, spelling or plotting issues but because of formatting.

Years ago, I learned to type on a Selectric typewriter. Now this is where you politely pretend not to try to figure out how much time has passed. Anyway, I could type 90 words per minute, double space between sentences and enter a hard return between paragraphs without missing a beat. However, those rules went out the window when computers came in the door.

I know, I know sometimes when you’re typing fast you sometimes forget not to hit the space bar twice. Even after all these years.

But it can cost you! So please check the rules on formatting for each entry before you hit send and make sure your document is in the right century.

Need more info on formatting? Keep reading I’ve added some links for your reading pleasure at the bottom of this post.

Have you ever had an entry rejected because you failed to format properly?

Ever noticed different formats for different entries?

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.

Six rules for manuscript formatting.

Writing Tip #36 (a.k.a. “Don’t Space Out”)

Manuscript preparation guide

A fun and relaxing girls night out

Published on August 19, 2016August 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Thanks to KIMBERLEYCOOPERBLOG for inspiring me, I’ve decided to join in the prompt fun over at Julia’s Place.

In honor of the Rio Olympics, Julia chose for her 100-word prompt is, “With a little effort I wonder if I could do that?…”

I needed tonight, the cheesy movie, the greasy tacos, a margaritas buzz but most of all the laughter.

“I liked the book better,” Karen said, her mouth full of chips.

“You read that drivel? I couldn’t get past chapter three.”

I shut out Margo our book club snob, knowing she’d read every word, but would never admit it.

The margaritas warmed my cheeks or could it be visions of scarves and Jason tied to a bedpost flashing through my mind?

Jason wanted more excitement. We have a spare room. Hmm, with a little effort I wonder if I could do that?…

Check out http://www.juliasplace.org.ukJulia’s Place and Kimberly’s blog. I hope one of us will inspire your writing today!

What inspires you? Gets your writing juices flowing? Do tell! Inquiring minds want to know!

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What is it about sport?

It’s exciting to discover that you’re not alone

Published on August 18, 2016August 14, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

That’s how I felt after reading other writers also have trouble describing scenes.

purple balloon-303733_640 Read many of my posts? Then you know I struggle with descriptions. My writing will either be as stark and sterile as a surgical suite or purple as a five-year-old little girls birthday party. Purple prose everywhere!

My critique partner and sister is great at writing beautiful descriptions that put you right in the middle of a scene. (check out Sheila at Cow Pasture Chronicles.) But if I try to write like her, I sound like Eddie Haskell on Leave it to Beaver. Just too much.

Believe me, I’ve studied every self-help book on the market. And some have helped. My favorites are the ones by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. Like:

The Rural Setting Thesaurus, The Urban Setting Thesaurus, and The Emotion Thesaurus, plus there are several more. Be sure and check them out for really good tips on descriptions. Links at the bottom of this post.

Now back to the post that gave me hope! Click and Read!!!

by Phoebe Quinn

The world is pretty visual, but I’m not. Despite my insistence that, if I had to choose, I’d rather lose my hearing than my sight, I’ve never been able to work in a visual wa…

Source: 7 Ways to Write Visually (Without Describing Everything)

I do hope you hopped over and read Phoebe’s post and realized that we don’t have to describe every grain of sand or blade of grass to engage our readers. That often less is more!

Let me know what you think.