Blog – Page 46 – Jean's Writing

Have you practiced today?

Published on May 22, 2014May 22, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Thanks to Lillie McFerrin for reminding me to practice, practice, practice. Sometimes I get so busy with my WIP, and life in general, that I forget how important it is to practice my writing.

Five Sentence Fiction is a great place to do just that. So again, a big thank you to Lillie.

If you are looking for a place to work on your skills check out FSF.

Below is my Five Sentence contribution this week. Enjoy.

Let me know how you practice. Do you have a favorite site or routine? Leave a comment and the link. Thanks.

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week: ANCHOR

All week people came to attend the celebrations.

They honored her with words like groundbreaking, innovative and pioneer.

She accepted their admiration; after all, she’d worked long hours to arrive at this pinnacle in life.

She’d dodged bullets, survived mergers and interviewed presidents.

As she listened to her well-meaning friends, she grew weary from the weight of her accomplishments, and now she just wanted to go home.

Submit your story

Published on May 5, 2014May 6, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Dust off your keyboard and submit all those great stories you slaved over all winter long.

This is May and it is National Short Story Month and the opportunities abound.

Let me know about any contests I’ve missed. There must be a zillion more out there.

Who are you submitting to? Leave me a comment and add your favorite to the list.

Get ready!

Get set!

Select and…

Good Luck!

Publications Accepting Submissions:

Six Words Stories
Don’t Do It Ezine
NANO short story 31 writing prompts
Storm Cellar Quarterly Accepts submissions year round.

Contests Open for Submissions:

Glimmer Train: 1st: $1,500 May 31, 2014 deadline
NANO: contest The sixth-annual NANO Prize $500, 300 words max, Deadline: September 1, 2014
DECISIONS, DECISIONS This contest offers free critiques.
53 Press:
Writing Maps Journal: See website for details.
Writers Village: The top 50 contestants, whether they win a cash prize or not, will also gain a brief personal critique of their stories.
Short Story Competition: Cash prize Closing date: 31 July 2014
Narrative Magazine: Cash prize Deadline June 15.
Flavor Wire: Cash Prize.
HHA short story: See website for more details.
Jotters United Deadline May 31, 2014 See website for details.
Poetry: Poetry Anthology –Submissions open until June 30, 2014
TIFERET Writing Contest $1200 in prizes, $15 fee per entry, June 1, 2014 is the Deadline.
Flash Fiction: Blue Earth Review Flash Fiction Contest Deadline August 1, 2014, $500 1^st place, 2nd-$250, 3rd-$100. Winners will be published in Fall issue. Other admirable submissions may be published. $2 fee Submit here https://blueearthreview.submittable.com/submit/24696
Crazy Horse Deadline July 31, 2014 $1000 prize, All entries will be considered by our editors for publication, and the $15 entry fee includes a one-year subscription

Please check websites for additional rules and details.

The Burst of the Social Media Bubble, Rise of the Indie Author & Why Coffee is to Blame

Published on April 21, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell

A reminder, I need to step up my game. I’ve neglected my Facebook page and my Tweets are pitiful. This afternoon I’m starting a new to do list.

Now, where did I put that list? Hmm…

The Burst of the Social Media Bubble, Rise of the Indie Author & Why Coffee is to Blame.

Keep that first thrill alive

Published on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

You love, obsess, and write. With a little luck, a lot of sweat, blood and tears, maybe, just maybe, others will read and love your precious manuscript too.

I love to write. My husband loves the game of golf. Writing and golf have nothing in common, unless you take a peak at the inbox on our computers. As any crazy person does, we both obsess over ways to improve our craft. The result, our cup runneth over in the form of more information than either of us can process.

The running joke around our house is, did you delete or read?

This got me to thinking how these “tips” seem to run in trends, following the same subject. Which leads me delete more than I read. I mean, how many emails can I read on comma splices. See my point? Then came my ah-ha moment. Why do I pick one particular email, click open to a blog and read amid a sea of others on the same subject? What makes it different?

It’s the author’s tag or hook line.

Now I can see all y’all seasoned writers shaking your heads. Big deal you’re thinking. Everyone knows about tag lines. You like me have read everything there is to know concerning how to hook the reader. But sometimes we all need reminders. Tag lines are important for our blogs, books and emails.

Tag lines, and first lines matter. Hell, firsts of everything matter. Think of all the firsts your and the weight of importance they held your life. Your first love, kiss, date, dance, job, sex, car, roller coaster, high dive, beer, well you get the idea.

Firsts are important and my ah-ha moment came in realizing that first encounters with my readers must, be a good first for them. No make that a great first for them. Not sure my writing can compete with sex and beer, but I’m gonna try to step up my game and keep the thrill alive. I can’t think of anything scarier than putting myself out there to publish or perish. Yikes!

Here are some links to a few tips I opened. Enjoy, I did.

Choose Wise Guides

Put Passion in Your Writing

Danger of Premature Editing

Just the Right Word

Use a Magazine to Improve

Should You Enter Contests?