#amwriting – Page 70 – Jean's Writing

Do you know how to compile a mobi document without a TOC?

Published on June 22, 2016June 21, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

First, let me say if you have a better way – PLEASE – let me know.

A few posts back, I talked about my disappointment with KKBC (Kindle Kids Book Creator.)

The end results were lovely but limited. Very limited.

For instance, once a book is up on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) you can click on the book and download a .mobi file to use.

But for a book made with KKBC, this doesn’t work. Yes, the file downloads but not everyone can open it on their devices.

That means sending this mobi file, from KDP, to reviewers may leave you embarrassed. Why? Because the reviewer may not be able to open it. Now, I confess I have no idea how to predict who can open it and who can.

So what to do?

While not perfect for picture books, Scrivener provided a mobi file I could live with.

I’m sure most of you know that Scrivener will compile your document into an ebook file. So I won’t bore you with how to compile an ebook. But if you want to compile a picture book or a short manuscript “without” a table of contents these tips might help.

Most children picture books don’t need a TOC.

I spent hours listening to videos and reading blogs before I finally figured out how to avoid the automatic contents page in Scrivener.

The only way, I found, to avoid having a TOC show up in the compiled mobi file was to delete the names listed on the scenes or chapters leaving that space blank.

toc 3 TOC 2

So there you have it. I used this process for making and downloading a mobi version of my picture book that I can send to reviewers.

Is it as nice or pretty as the KKBC book? No, but it does give me a file I can email out for review.

I hope some of you amazing computer gurus and Scrivener pros step up and give us your expertise.

What do you think?

Any other suggestions?

Was this post clear as mud?

Keep reading for great reading on Scrivener TOC!

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me 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 share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Scrivener – How To Compile With Style

Scrivener for Mac Tutorial: How to turn a list of topics into a table of …

Scrivener Quick Tip: Building an eBook Part 1

How to make progress on your novel without writing

Published on June 21, 2016June 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

I’ve started a couple of novels and always, I mean always, reach a point where I’m stumped.

What next? I let it rest. I research. I go to another project. But above all, I keep writing and still fretting over the unfinished novels.

This past week I read an interesting post on other things a writer can do that will keep the story moving, without writing. You heard right. Without writing! Thank you SUE JOHNSON for a great list.

Number one we’ve all heard of and I’ve done.

Make a collage or vision board.
- This is a great visual aide but while fun didn’t do much to move my story forward. Pinterest is a great place for a vision board or collage.

But I’ve got to admit I never thought about the others on her list. It amounts to walking in your characters shoes.

Bathroom habits.
- Never thought about my character’s bathroom habits. Have you?
- Do they wax, or shave? Shower or bubble bath? Blow dry or curls air dry?
Fragrance.
- Try wearing your characters favorite fragrance. Is it Vanilla, Floral, Musk, Lavender, Old Spice…
Location.
- Visit, either physically or virtually.
Music.
- Fill your house with music, not the kind you enjoy but the music your character enjoys.
Beverage
- If you’re a coffee drinker but your character enjoys tea, switch for a day or two.
- Martini or cold beer? Try the one you envision your character drinking.
Colors.
- Wear the characters favorite color.
- Add something in your bedroom or living room in their favorite color.
Vehicle.
- Go to a showroom and sit inside the type of vehicle the character drives.
- Take a test drive.
- Ask a friend.
- Need a tractor go to a farm
- Historical novel, visit a historical society.
Purse/Pockets
- Look in your purse, handbag or pockets. Do you carry any of the things your character would? Maybe you can add something.
Fashion
- Clothes horse?
  - What type?
    - Vintage, couture, bargain?
Bedroom
- Is there a way you can change something in your bedroom to mimic your characters? Maybe add soft bulbs in the lamps. Switch sheets to scratchy bargain 300 thread count or spring for luxurious Egyptian Cotton or sexy satin.
Computer
- Literate or a newbie
- Laptop or Ipad
Handwriting
- Practice writing as you think they might with a beautiful script or an ugly chicken scrawl using your right or left hand.
Entertainment
- What does your character do for entertainment? Watch TV, go to the movies, read books, newspapers or magazines? Whatever the answer is you need to follow in their footsteps here too.

Number 19 on her list was my favorite.

Possessions.
- She suggested the writer should think about the possessions of the character and search for something they might like to own. To find a small article to use for inspiration as you write.

What a great idea! Thrift shops here I come!

As I wrote my own list, more and more ideas popped into my head.

What about you?

Can you add another tip to the list?

Any of these tips new to you?

Do you use any of these techniques in your writing?

Will you use any of them in the future?

Which one did you like the best?

To read the entire article look for the link at the bottom of this post.

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me 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 share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

Writing: 20 Ways to Make Progress on a Self-published Novel Without Actually Writing by Sue Johnson

What if you could change the world?

Published on June 20, 2016June 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

That’s what I try to do every day in the make-believe worlds I create. The author has complete control to move everyone and everything around at their whim. We use phrases like “what if” to push on to the next scene, or action and wham. We change the world.

Ah, too bad it’s not so easy in real life.

That simple phrase spurs the imagination and wakes us to possible changes or new directions. When we write using the “what if” well it makes the reader think and wonder. It makes the reader turn the page and continue reading.

Saturday morning I read a wonderful editorial piece in the Dallas Morning News that made me think that kept me reading to the last word. And that my friends, is what good writing is all about.

One day I hope to write as well as Randy Lee Loftis, “People have never defeated physics by arguing. They never will. In other news…”

Pour yourself another cup of coffee, tea, a glass of wine or, grab a tall cold beer, sit back, relax and read the art of writing “what if” in this thought-provoking piece by an amazing writer.

In Other News by Randy Lee Loftis

events

Tell me, have you ever been grabbed by a particular piece of writing?

By a particular writer, good or bad?

Talk to me in the comments section or you can write me or reach 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 share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

What do you think about Kindle Unlimited?

Published on June 17, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

As a reader I love it! Especially, when one of my favorite writers adds a title to KU. But after reading the latest scam making the rounds, I’m wondering if as a writer KU might be more trouble than it’s worth.

There is no denying Amazon.com is the biggest player in the world of online booksellers. And as such we have no choice but to play in their sandbox.

However, their rules are a bit scary and gray at times. More and more it seems Amazon is becoming a power wielding giant which can strike fear into the hearts of writers.

Take Kindle Unlimited for instance. As a reader, I love KU. My books are kids books and as such are not a good choice for KU. But adult and YA books, well they are great choices for KU.

Now scammers are trying to scare authors from putting great books on the KU platform. This is terrible. I hope that Amazon will find a way to stop them other than punishing authors.

Read this author’s nightmare.

THINK YOU COULDN’T POSSIBLY LOSE YOUR AMAZON PUBLISHING ACCOUNT? THINK AGAIN.

Are any of your books on Kindle Unlimited?

Have you considered listing a title on KU?

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.