Blog – Page 23 – Jean's Writing

Do you know how to write like no one cares?

Published on April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Like no one will read what you write?

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

W= Write

I know, I know that is easier said than done. But if you can pretend for just a little while and write whatever the hell you want I think the results might surprise you.

Writing the draft sets the writer free. Later during the editing and rewrite process comes the time to cut and care.

This past year I finished a second children’s book and learned:

Pull up those big girl panties and write whatever the hell you want, because no one cares as much as you do.
Writing is hard if it were easy everyone would write a Best Selling Novel.
So might as well write whatever you want and forget about Best Seller Lists. Odds are not gonna happen.
Don’t worry about word count, not in the beginning.
Write whatever you want because no one will read and reread it as much as you.
Write whatever you want, but hire an editor.
Editors are a writer’s friend. Never publish without one.
Ditto on Beta Readers.
Don’t torture yourself about your writing. Your family’s got that covered.
Write for the love of writing, not for that first royalty check. Of course, dinner at Mickey D’s is a nice way to spend it.

Well the A to Z Challenge is over, sorry I didn’t make it to the finish. XYZ will have to make it another day. Congratulations to those who bravely persevered.

It was wonderful to meet new people and once again learn new writing tips!

Thanks everyone for stopping by and talking.

The lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Great information ahead!

Better to Be a Mouse With a Backbone, Than a Lion With No Spine: On Writing Voice

What Would Happen If You Wrote Like Nobody’s Reading? By Erin Kurup

Write Like No One Is Reading by Julie Frayn

Blog Like No One is Reading by Grechen Reiter

Write Like No One Is Reading BY: MANAL GHOSAIN –

Do you know how to Vlog?

Published on April 29, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

V=Vlogging

I’ve always prided myself on having an open mind. Always ready to learn something new. But for the love of all that is holy! I just don’t know if my brain can hold much more.

Our family used to have a running joke, don’t ask Mom – she doesn’t remember. To which I would respond, “I remember the important stuff. Unimportant stuff, I delete from my mind to make room for new stuff. A person only has so much gray matter.”

Okay, enough ranting. Deep breath and back to the subject at hand.

Vlogging? What the hell is Vlogging?

I’m still struggling with Instagram and Facebook.

And don’t get me started on learning about formatting a book for IngramSpark and CreateSpace. Geeze, bleed area. Picky, picky. Understanding the terms and applying them are two different things.

Now a writer should know how to produce an infomercial about writing or what people are saying about writing or about books or….

A Vlog is, a short, entertaining commercial, that doesn’t look like a commercial. Click to tweet.

It’s all about subtle product placement.

What do you do on a Vlog for 1 to 3 minutes? Anything you want.

Talk, dance, read, go about your day, or write as if no one was watching. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you don’t bore people to death.

In this instant, YouTube generation, they will click on to the next video before you can shout, “Wait.”

Yes, this year, I made room in my ever shrinking brain for something new called a Vlog.

Here’s what I learned.

Vlogs are located on Youtube.
Make your Vlog easy to find. Link it to your blog.
A Vlog should last 1 – 3 minutes.
You and your books are the product in a Vlog.
A Vlog, above all else, must be entertaining.
It is another media to introduce you to your readers.
Like a blog, you must update your Vlogs and post consistently.
Make it fun. If you don’t enjoy watching your video, no one else will.
Last but not least, I learned I’m not ready for Vlogging.

Have you jumped onto the Vlogging social media train?

Do you think Vlogging is a good platform for writers?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Great information dead ahead!

Vlogging Anyone? By Jennifer Wilkov

Vlogging For Writers By LEENA NORMINGTON

What’s a Book Vlogger? By Shari Stauch

Why Authors Should Be YouTubers – Vlogging Advice From Lindsay Mead

How to share more great posts at once!

Published on April 24, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Stepping away from my swift crawl to catch up with the A-Z Challenge, so I could share a recent post from Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life by Sally G. Cronin. Not just because yours truly is right smack dab in the middle of her page but because I thought the concept of showcasing several writers one post a great idea.

Hope you enjoy, read and make new friends.

Welcome to this week’s look at the creative posts written by bloggers here on WordPress this week. I am only one woman (I say this modestly) so, unfortunately, it is beyond me to read every won….

Source: Mention in Dispatches – Shopping with Mother, Disappearing Eagles and Tibetan Rites

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS

I haven’t given up on the A-Z Challenge. I think I can, I think I can….

Do you want to rise to the top?

Published on April 16, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

Don’t we all!

Today’s letter in the A-Z Challenge N.

N = Niche

With all the thousands, no, millions of writers, bloggers, vloggers and other social media gurus submitting something every day how do we rise above the noise? How do we stand out and rise above all the others?

my collage

We’ve got to know which niche/genre we’re writing for. Whether writing a short story, magazine article, self-help, children’s book, or an advertisement knowing the niche is important. That doesn’t mean you are locked in that niche/genre forever. Many successful authors switch genres when they switch projects.

So, what have I learned about understanding my niche?

Identifying my niche isn’t enough.
To attract a reader it’s important to confirm their perception of the world.
The reader must feel that I “get” them. That I understand them.
My writing should reflect or challenge what my audience believes, thinks or wants.
Always remember, their perception is their reality.
Read everything I can find about my niche!

Do you enjoy writing in a particular niche?

Where do you find information about your niche?

Do you have any tips that help your writing rise above others in a genre/niche?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.