blogging – Page 6 – Jean's Writing

Tips on how to share a post

Published on November 21, 2016November 17, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

Do you like to reblog?

Want more control over your post page?

As the saying goes, “there’s more than one way to skin a cat.”

I’m sure most of you are familiar with the “Reblog” button but I prefer the “Press This” button.

Or what about a Blogspot post? I use the title with a link to the post.

Why? Because I’m a control freak. I like to know what my post will look like once it’s published. Plus I like to control when my post hits the web.

Here’s one of my little videos to explain the process.

So what do you think?

Will this help you share more blog posts, or not?

Any tips or shortcuts you use to reblog?

I’d love to hear from you, let me know how you’re doing! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for 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 to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you need help with blogging ideas?

Published on November 4, 2016November 3, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I try to think of a new blog, and like a dry well, I come up empty. well-145661_640

My brain can’t think of a damn thing y’all might want to know.

Does that ever happen to you?

I’ve got story ideas, but some days the blogging ideas just won’t come.

blog-stick-figure-1018599_640 — Pixabay.com

Well, if that’s the case, head over to See Jane Write and…

Let’s #bloglikecrazy!

She’ll give you a bunch of tips on keeping your blog fresh and current.

Need more? Keep reading!

Blog Post Ideas for Writers: Solving the “What Do I Blog About?” Conundrum by Kimberley Grabas

47 BLOG POST IDEAS FOR WRITERS, CREATIVES, AND BLOGGERS by CATHY PRESLAND

101 Fabulous Blog Topic Ideas by Molly Greene

40 Blog Post Ideas For Novelists, Poets, And Creative Writers

Where do you find blogging ideas?

How do you write a blog post day after day?

I’d love to know!

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for 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 to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you struggle writing the perfect love scene?

Published on April 28, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

X = X-rated Writing

I thought about X –marks the spot but chose X-rated because I struggle with writing sex and love scenes.

As a writer we can publish anything on the internet. There are no internet police. However, as I’m sure you’ve learned already publishing is another thing.

Naught or Nice?

Good writing, in my opinion, comes in all sizes.

Yes, even X-rated. The key phrase is good writing.

Good taste is subjective but good writing is not.

I try to choose my words with care. Because there is a difference between words that are graphic, explicit, dirty, sexy, suggested or imaginative.

I don’t think we should worry about offending, but need to strive to get the words right. Words and phrases that match the character and hook the reader. Does the character need a little spice in their life that’s the question and most times the answer is yes.

Writing great sex scenes, even X-rated, is an art just like writing great murder scenes. Both should be filled with mystery. Too much blood and gore in a murder can turn some readers off too.

As a Reader, I love to use my imagination and too much explicit detail can be a turn off. Think about all of those bodice ripping novel that fly off the shelves.

So tell me, how do you write your X-rated scenes?

Lots of details or lots of imagination?

Leave me some tips and help in the comments section. I need all I can get to let my freak fly.

Rachel’s Saga continues:

The cool air from the A/C felt wonderful. Rachel began to relax as soulful songs of love and betrayal filled the truck.

“Feel better?”

She jerked toward the driver. “Uh, yes, thank you. I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” She asks.

“Didn’t. But people call me Jase.”

His eyes roamed from her face to the sweat stains. She pulled the white cotton shirt separating it from her skin.

“Were you walking in this heat long?” He asks.

“No, not too long.”

“You’re lucky I came along.”

He smiled and stretched his right arm across the back of her seat.

“No telling how long it’d would’ve been for somebody else stopped.” He said.

Rachel didn’t bother to respond. She needed to keep her wits and watch this snake. Rattlers weren’t the only ones that could strike when you least expected.

The truck hit a pothole and began to swerve. Rachel’s head hit the passenger window. They slid off the shoulder, gravel pinging the fenders as they came to a jarring stop her head slammed again and her vision blurred as blood dripped in her eye.

“You okay Darling? Didn’t mean to pull off so fast. Here, let me see.”

His arm reached for her.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Some reading on writing X-rated.

http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/now/internet/168345-primer-intro-guide-to-writing-erotic-fan-fiction-peg-50-shades

http://thewickedwriter.blogspot.com/2013/04/x-rated-scenes-to-z-blogging-challenge.html

http://denisefelt.weebly.com/writing-great-sex-scenes.html

http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2014/03/28/artist-entrepreneur-x-x-rated-artists-alphabet-guide-writing-art-aletta-de-wal/

4 Puzzle Pieces to Hook Your Readers

Published on April 27, 2015April 27, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

W = (Who, What, Where, and When)

Right up front give your readers what they want, information.

Show your readers an image that grabs hooks them from the beginning.

1. Who

Introduce your main character and make the reader care.
Show the reader who your characters are by their actions.
Make them care not only about who your MC is, but who they will become.
Help your readers connect with your character.

2.What

What’s happening to the characters, or their surroundings? (Jump right into the action.)
What are they thinking or saying? (Don’t censor them. When people think no one hears them, in their head.)
What is plausible? At least give your story some realism and believability.
Something interesting might happen, but for the story to hook your readers, what is happening must affect the characters.

3. Where

Where are your characters? Are they coming or going? (Literally or emotionally give the reader a hint.)
Where does the story take place? (The character should be there for a reason).
Does the where make sense?
Anchor your reader without excessive exposition or narrative that bogs down the reader.
Use sights, sounds, textures, temperature, tastes, and smells, but don’t get carried away with too many purple adjectives.

4. When

When goes hand in glove with where.
Time frame is important. However, you don’t always need to say at 3pm on this date, this happened.
Let the reader know when your character is living.
Don’t leave them floating like an astronaut without a clue as to when the events are happening.
Writing a historical novel? make sure to show the readers the time matches the characters.

Hitchcock’s. Axiom: A good story is life with the dull parts taken out.

The Saga continues:

Rachel’s eyes flickered from the handgun on console to the Winchester in the rack and back to the smile behind the wheel.

“Now don’t you worry ‘bout these ole things. Ain’t a pick-up in Texas don’t have a gun or two.”

She knew he was right and it wasn’t the guns that bothered her. What bothered her was that his slick smile didn’t reach those cold blue eyes.

“No problem, got my own.” Rachel said.

The smile dimmed for a second as he took in her sidearm and the small silver badge on her belt.

“Well, glad to be of service to one of Texas’s finest. Officer?”

“Randell, Rachel Randell. Thanks, how far are we from the next town?”

“Bout forty-five minutes from Wichita Falls. That where you headed?”

Rachel nodded. “That’ll do.”

As soon as she got a cell signal, she’d call the office, get new wheels and be on her way. This guy didn’t need to know her plans.

He leaned forward and turned up the radio. Country music filled the cab and Rachel hoped that meant the end to conversation or anything else. But she didn’t plan on relaxing, not with two extra guns and a stranger next to her.