blogging – Jean's Writing

How do you get excited about writing?

Published on February 3, 2020 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

And returning to the keyboard after a long break?

I’ve written about the Summertime Blahs, but what does one do about the winter blues or the publication blues?

Yep, you heard right. In November I finished and published my latest children’s picture book, and then the holidays took over what was left of my energy.

And now I’ve got the blank page (or screen) syndrome.

This isn’t anything new, not for me. If you are a long time follower, you know this is a yearly ritual. However, each time I’m faced with it, I am surprised. Weird, right? When I’m in the writing zone, I think I’ll never stop. But then…

Brain fog settled in.

One thing that has helped me before, was reading. Reading everything. Good, bad, great, and mediocre. So I’ve spent the last couple of months reading three to four books a week. Didn’t help.

So…

I’m visiting some of my favorite bloggers.
Playing with a few writing prompts.
And giving my brain a good talking to.
Looking at some of my previous posts and trying to take my own advice. LOL

Tell me. How do you get back in the writing saddle? To create when the lightening of inspiration is lacking?

I appreciate any tips or suggestions you’ve got. Because I’m still stuck.

In the meantime, pop over and read this post by Lucy Mitchell. It gave me something to think about. WHEN STRUGGLING WITH YOUR WRITING ALWAYS THINK – CATERPILLAR & THE BUTTERFLY!

I’m a butterfly, a butterfly…

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW. AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

How to protect your intellectual property

Published on October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

YIKES!

I’m gonna need to set aside a day to hunt down these crooks.

Felony or Flattery? #Copyright Infringement and Content Scraping

Thanks to D.G. Kaye for great information on how to protect our blogs and books.

I don’t know about you, but this was a big surprise to me. I knew there were a couple of sites that pirated books, but no idea this many. Or, that blogs were being “scraped.”

Let me know what you think.

Did you search for your blog and/or books? Find anything?

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW. AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Be vigilant, scammers are on the prowl

Published on January 7, 2019January 7, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell27 Comments

And with this new year comes more vermin searching for an opening, no matter how small.

I’m referring to scammers, hackers and trolls.

The more gadgets we have, the more avenues and opportunities for a criminal to find you. Don’t fall for these frauds. From our email, smartphones, yes iPhones too, computers, tablets, blogs, websites, Amazon Echo, Google Home, or even smart TVs, we are all susceptible to these damn crooks. AND, of course, we are vulnerable on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and any of the many social media sites. Scammers are trolling for any insecurity or vulnerability in your life, online and real.

Once upon a time, long long ago, Apple products were immune. Or so we thought. But that is not the case, not now. So don’t let your guard down just because you have an Apple product. Scammers are everywhere phishing for your information.

No need to live in fear. Just be aware! Be smart!

Some things you can do to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Install good security and virus software.
Keep all software updated.
Do not click on an email that requests you verify account details.
Be careful about downloading free mobile apps. Know who and where it comes from.
Never click on an unsolicited email or alert that comes from a bank, institution or company. Go directly to their website instead.
On smartphones and tablets, watch out for text messages requesting you click on them.
Don’t recognize the phone number? Hang up or better yet don’t answer. If it’s important they can leave a message.
Be aware of phone number scamming. Fraudsters are now spoofing legit company phone numbers. Be careful, the person on the other line may not be a real Apple, ATT, Netflix, agent.
Remember if it sounds too good… well you know the rest.

Last but not least…

Think before you click. Just like crossing a street, take your time and look both ways. Let’s start the new year aware and in control.

Thanks to Terry Ambrose, Grace Sweeney and Kevin McAllister for these tips and their timely articles on the latest scams and fraudsters.

Below are links from these savvy writers to help you avoid falling prey to a scammer. Keep reading…

Scam Tip – Apple users beware of Apple phishing scam By Terry Ambrose

New year, new scams: what to watch out for in 2019 By GRACE SWEENEY

Outsmart the Scammers: How You Can Avoid Fraud By Kevin McAllister

Apple iPhone scam returns as new model nears By Terry Ambrose

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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How to know difference in your voice and a characters

Published on September 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Sounds hard right?

It did for me. I found myself making the process harder than it needed to be. Between my WIP, blog, and branding I tied myself in knots.

Turns out I just needed to KISS.

NO! Not smooching. Good grief, get your mind out of the gutter.

But KISS as in – keep it simple stupid. I was trying too hard. Complicating the writing in search of my voice, when I had it all along.

After reading the following article, I rewrote the first chapter of WIP and pulled to the forefront, my voice.

What I learned from Lisa Hall-Wilson.

Writers (Authors) voice is how you decide to tell a story and is the same from book to book.
Just as we grow and change over the years, so does an authors voice, because our voice is an extension of ourselves and what is important in a writers life.
Character voices change from book to book. After all your not introducing the same person over and over unless in a series.
Branding is your persona and applies to our writing and not just advertising. Your book branding lets readers know what type of story they will find when they pick up your book. Scary, suspense, romance…

Lisa goes into a lot more detail on her website. Be sure and click the link below and read more.

In the meantime, I’d like to know…

Have you struggled with writer’s voice?