Books – Page 40 – Jean's Writing

Is all the advice confusing?

Published on November 9, 2015November 8, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Sometimes my head hurts from reading all the how-to blogs, books and emails on how to write.

This morning I scanned my emails and spotted one from my sister, mentor, critique partner, tense monitor and friend. Her emails take priority over the latest opportunity from a prince in Nigeria.

Okay, back to her email. Sheila wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed Chuck Wendig’s post about writing advice. We both love his blog. Chuck keeps it real. If you don’t get his posts, you’re missing out. Be sure and hop over to Sheila’s blog Cow Pasture Chronicles, you’ll be glad you did.

What is the matter with me today? I keep veering toward the ditch as wobbly as an old Chevy truck with bald tires.

Any who, after reading his post, I wondered if Chuck had tapped our phone lines. Sheila and I had just had this conversation. Cue the twilight zone music.

We talked about all the confusing, and sometimes nutty writing advice that floats around like party balloons. I don’t know about y’all, but my Kindle has more books on writing than any other subject. The worst ones are the books that insist their way is the only way to write. I agree with Chuck, bullshit!

If you write, you are a writer. Good, bad or mediocre, but non the less a writer.

Me, my name hasn’t shown up on the NYT Bestsellers list, (but hope blooms eternal) nor am I an expert on anything other than making mistakes. Although, I’m quickly becoming an expert on rejects but that’s for another post.

Here on this blog, I do my best to post Writing Tips that I find interesting and helpful. I hope my readers feel the same. But as Chuck points out, all advice, tips or opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. Pick what works for you and throw out the rest.

Just keep writing.

That’s why I’ve only read a few pages of many of those books that clutter my Kindle and bookshelves. Some just aren’t for me.

Head over to Terrible Minds and read Chuck’s post, Writing, Advice is Bullshit, for yourself.

What do you think? Is most writing advice a waste of time? Does it confuse you more than help? What is your favorite how-to book on writing?

Let me know what you think in the comments section and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS:

The labor pains have been exhausting for this little guy, but he’s almost here.

Coming this week! Fingers crossed!

Got a book? Make a sale…

Published on October 28, 2015October 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

I can’t believe the holidays are almost upon us.

Nuts! Right?

Each year the decorations seem to mushroom in store aisles earlier and earlier.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas trees among the Halloween pumpkins make me hyperventilate.

Mentally, I begin screaming… Not yet! Not ready!

Just something I do every year. Sigh…

But ready or not Christmas is coming.

So why not use the early shopping days as an opportunity to sell your books.

One Simple Way to Boost Sales of Your Self-Published Book This Christmas by Stephen Oram

A fun, new take on book promotion and sales.

Whether you choose a Pub, local TGIF, BBQ joint or Tea Room, this is a unique way to promote.

Call, text or email your writing buddies and see if this might work for you.

Do you want to self-publish?

Published on October 27, 2015October 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, then you might want to read all that’s involved.

There are more steps to publishing than I ever imagined.

If you are considering the self-publish route this article will help in setting up your own publishing company.

Go to Stephanie Flint’s blog and read how to get started. She breaks the process down, step by step.

I’m in the process now. Just filed my DBA. Now on to the next step.

Thoughts on Publishing – Starting a Publishing Imprint

A big thanks goes to Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog for once more, hooking his readers up with a post chocked full of important information. Be sure and check out his blog to stay current with what’s happening in the writing world.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together, let’s help each other improve our writing skills.

Find me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you use poetry to inspire?

Published on October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

I love poetry. Can’t write it worth shit, but I love reading beautiful words.

The movement is so different from other writing. Poetry evokes emotion in the reader, and it can inspire your characters too.

So it’s little surprise that poetry is used in a lot of YA books. I understand why poems and poetic references, are effective in YA stories A teen lives in a flux of angst and poetry speaks to the emotional roller coaster they live on.

Over at The Guardian, Ciara Murphy explains the importance and effect of poetry in YA stories. From John Green’s Paper Towns poetic metaphors, to Ally Condie’s Matched series (one of my all time favorites) where she uses banned poems by Dylan Thomas and Tennyson.

Today it seems as though poems have been regulated to Meme’s, but maybe it’s time to give poetry another look.

Have you considered using poetry, new, or old, to spur a story forward? If not maybe it’s time to see just what poetry can do for your stories.

Pop over and read…

Why is there so much poetry in YA/teen lit? by Ciara Murphy

Let me know what you think. Can poetry improve your writing, or do you think the idea lame?

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Thank you!
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