Blog – Page 6 – Jean's Writing

Do you love creepy, unusual, and odd subjects?

Published on June 19, 2017June 19, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell20 Comments

The creepier the better to write my dear.

Am I right?

Well, I’ve stumbled on a couple of terrific ways to expand your imagination. Hang on to your hats.

I love writing prompts. Give me an odd word combos, a challenging word count or subject matter and my mind goes nuts. So I really went bonkers when I stumbled across not one but two totally unique ideas!

Have you ever thought about using mug shots for character development? Not me! Not until now.

Go to Arrests.org and pick a state, any state, you won’t be disappointed. The visual is worth a thousand words.

The mug shots are tagged and categorized for you. Need to describe someone who has had the shit beat out of them? Click on “beat up.”

Or what about locking up your character? Hmm, keep reading.

These great ideas are from Paul M.M. Cooper.

He suggests you put your character in a locked room without windows or furniture. I imagined the room like a padded cell.

What happens? Is the person confused, scared, claustrophobic, or are they calm as they wait for someone to find them?

Want to know more?

Click on these links and read how to write great characters!

Writing mug shots – how a reprehensible website could make you a better writer by Paul M.M. Cooper

The creepiest (and best) creative writing exercise for character-development by Paul M.M. Cooper

Leave me a comment. I love talking to Y’all.

Please head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or to connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Are you confident, do you know what to say?

Published on June 16, 2017June 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Do you find it difficult to emerge from your writing world?

Confession time. sometimes I’m as tongue-tied as a teenager on her first date. I don’t have a clue what I should say.

Hello, my name is Jean and I’m an introvert.

More times than not, I prefer to stay home and talk to my imaginary friends. Meeting strangers leave me as tongue-tied as a teenager on her first date. I don’t have a clue what to say. And it seems that with each passing year, I find it more and more difficult.

And Lordy, don’t get me started on promoting my books. I’m a nervous wreck when it comes to that. I rather sit at my computer writing than convince people to buy something I’ve written.

So, just how does an introvert such as myself, have meaningful conversations with strangers?

Prepare.

Prepare for a meet and greet as if we were preparing to write. Because for people like me, networking is hard.

Here is a great article on conversation starters.

10 Handy Conversation Starters for Introverted Writers by LISA ROWAN

Here’s what I gleaned from Ms. Rowan’s article.

Memorize that elevator pitch. (yuck) But, don’t start off with the pitch.
Remember your manners. Show interest in the other person and listen. Most times, they’ll lead you right into the “pitch.”
Smile, no one wants to talk to a “resting bitch face.”
Break the ice with questions about the event.
Don’t make the entire conversation a sales pitch. (see #2)
Memorize some basic questions so you won’t be tongue-tied. Ms. Rowan gives a good list of icebreakers.

What do you think?

Do you have trouble in these situations?

Do you enjoy seminars, book festivals or book signings?

Is it easy for you to promote your books?

What is your secret to overcoming those butterflies?

Tell me in the comments section. I love hearing from Y’all.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Is it important for a writer to blog?

Published on June 14, 2017June 13, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Personally, I think it’s up to the individual writer.

So why do it? Why blog?

Believe me, there are weeks when I consider stopping. And I guess when I no longer enjoy meeting so many talented and informed writers, I’ll stop. But, I’ve learned a lot from each and every one of Y’all.

I also, blog about my learning process. Not an expert, I’m learning as I go and sharing helps me too. Sometimes I think it not only takes a village to raise a child but to develop a good writer. At least in my case. So, for now, I’ll carry on.

Head over to A Writer’s Path and read this article about why blogging important.

Why Blogging is Important for Writers by Shelley Widhalm

Now tell me,

Why do you blog?

Does blogging help or hurt your writing?

I love reading your comments.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

You can discover the perfect words every time

Published on June 9, 2017June 8, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Now I can spit out that word dangling on the tip of my tongue, every time.

Thanks to Nicholas C. Rossis for showing me the way to The Phrase Finder. Cue sound effects.

Can you tell I’m excited? That I just love new toys?

I’m amped up, my head is spinning. I’m ready to pepper my stories with clichés right and left.

Whoa! This is so much fun. I just wasted half the morning playing on this website. You won’t believe how many funny phrases I found. Now how can I weave some of these outrageous sentences in my WIP?

“Just my luck, my bread falls butter side down. Every damn time,” she said. (Jean M. Cogdell)

Y’all pity my editor. LOL

All joking aside, this new writing tool is a game changer for prompts.

I hope you’ll go read the post by Nicholas and check out The Phase Thesaurus.