Books – Page 13 – Jean's Writing

Discover the truth about writing that best-seller

Published on January 27, 2017March 16, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

According to Florence Osmund, writers need to separate truth from myth on the road to becoming a successful writer.

What a relief to read that Ms. Osmund also learns the hard way, by doing. That’s me. Doing things wrong about six ways to Sunday and re-doing them again. Makes writing exhausting.

Isn’t it great when authors share their experiences in hopes of helping struggling writers like myself? I think so.

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So what did I learn from her article?

I need to find an editor for my WIP sooner than later.
- Apparently several. Just one won’t do.
- Your best friend may mean well but you get what you pay for. So bite the bullet and pay for a professional.
That being in control is a two-edged sword.
- But, hey I’m a control freak.
No one enjoys marketing.
- What a relief, thought I was the only one.
Writing a “best seller” is about as easy as threading a camel through the eye of a needle.
- Wishing won’t make it so.
- Good thing I enjoy writing.
Writing is not cheap.
- I’m beginning to see that.
Promote, promote and promote the book.
- Again with the marketing.
Price matters.
- Like Goldilocks, not too high, not too low but just right.

Go and read her article at The Book Designer. Here’s the link:

Four Truths and Four Myths That Every New Novelist Should Know

Any of these truths new to you?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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Images by Pixabay.com

You can start this new year with a new journal

Published on January 20, 2017January 19, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

A New Year begins and so do the resolutions.

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I’m sure for a lot of people, not just writers, one of those resolutions is to write. To keep a diary or journal. However, putting your thoughts and feelings to paper can be daunting.

But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed or intimidated.

Writing is made easier with the right prompts and encouragement.

I’ve published a journal to empower and enable you to put those thoughts to words. This little journal provides a jumping off point for that diary you dreamed of keeping. Write daily, weekly or when the mood strikes.

There are two sizes to choose from, 6 x 9 and a pocket edition.

Please hop over to Amazon.com and it out.

Do you journal?

Have you thought about writing in a journal?

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think about keeping a journal or diary.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting 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.

This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.

Published on December 14, 2016December 12, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

I hope everyone is having a great holiday.

While we are all enjoying a little R&R, from my archives, here is one of my more popular posts, PUBLISHED ON March 20, 2015.

It’s damn hard and scary as hell. Equipment? That brand new, super fast laptop with all the bells and whistles doesn’t a writer make. Although the salesman swore your book would almost write itsel…

Source: This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.

I’d love to hear from you! Click the write me tab or contact me onTwitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

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How to find the best keywords and tags

Published on December 9, 2016December 8, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

The shopping frenzy has started.

If you’re like me, you’ve burned up Google and Amazon, searching for just the right gifts.

Late last night I was doing just that as I hunted for just the right gift. After a lot of junk popped up, unrelated to the item I wanted, a question began to germinate in my brain.

What pops up when someone Googles a subject I’ve blogged about? Or me, or my books?

If someone wants to know about ISBNs, will they find my blog?

Every writer hopes their books will appear on the first page of Amazon, and every blogger wants their blog to appear on the first page of Google search.

So how do we accomplish this?

Tag Words!

These little devils are more important than I ever realized. But don’t let the thought of the dreaded SEO scare you. Think of it more as waving at the internet shouting, “look, I’m over here.”

Picking the right keyword or tag for each blog and your book determines how quickly someone can find them.

After a lot of reading and research here’s what I’ve figured out.

Keywords and tags are the same things.
But categories are not the same as tags or keywords.
Tag your title. (If you’re writing about book reviews, make sure to use the keywords “book reviews.”
It’s important to research keywords. This doesn’t take a lot of work, simply use Google to see which words are busy or if your blog is popping. Or go to SEO Book Keyword Research Tool for more help.
Compound and plural words research different from simple and singular words. Such as, key word vs. keyword or keywords.

Now go Google yourself, your blog, and your keywords.

What did you find?

Are you set? Can people locate you easily?

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.