Books – Page 49 – Jean's Writing

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Published on July 8, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell

I know today is Tuesday. However, I love the premise of David Abrams’s “Sunday Sentence” project, sharing the best sentence I’ve read during the past week, “out of context and without commentary.”

It was right then, between when I asked about the labyrinth and when she answered me, that I realized the importance of curves, of the thousand places where girls’ bodies ease from one place to another, from arc of the foot to ankle to calf, from calf to hip to waist to breast to neck to ski-slope nose to forehead to shoulder to the concave arch of the back to the butt to the etc.

Source: John Green, Looking For Alaska

Check out David Abrams’s The Quivering Pen and

Erika Dreifus Sunday Sentence for great reads and

don’t forget my last Sunday Sentence.

Summer is for reading…

Are you reading a good book?

What sentence stood out in your mind?

Share by posting or linking back here.

Are you looking for beach books?

Published on June 5, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Have you made a summer reading list? If not, these three will get you started.

If you have, add these three to your list.

1 Literary, 1 Mystery and 1 YA there’s something for everyone.

I read for pleasure. The last couple of weeks have been pure bliss. Choosing a book, is like choosing a rich dessert. A dessert so yummy that my taste buds tingle and the flavor lingers long after the last bite. A good book is when the words or story stay with me long after I read the last page.

Even books I read for research, I choose with care. Enjoyment is my first priority. Life is too short. This morning I’m sitting on my porch, enjoy in a cool breeze and savoring the last of three books. Books that tingled my mind and left me with the realization I’ve a long way to go before I can stand in the shadow of these writers.

I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. Summer is here and I know many of you are looking for great books to read. So here they are, three books to keep you turning the pages, and savoring the phrases late into the night.

Alice I Have Been: A Novel by Melanie Benjamin, is on sale now for $1.99 (Kindle Edition) Grab this while you can it is normally $15.99

A love story and a literary mystery blending fact and fiction. I surprised myself, enjoying this book as I did. It’s not usually my type of book but the writing is beautiful. Ms. Benjamin captures the passionate spirit of a woman who was truly worthy of her fictional alter ego in a world as captivating as the Wonderland only she could inspire.

The Poet: A Novel Michael Connelly $6.99 (Kindle Edition)

For mystery, crime and whodunit readers this Edgar-winning novelist Michael Connelly creates a new hero who is a lot greener but no less believable. This was a fun, nail-biting thriller, with a surprising twist at the end. It’s been years since I read one of Mr. Connelly’s books, but I won’t wait years to read another one.

Paper Towns by John Green $4.99 (Kindle Edition)

I finished this book late last night. Although, listed as a YA book, I think Mr. Green writes for all ages. His rich words are musical staying with me long after I turned out the light.

This book is a funny, engaging coming of age book. Mr. Green gives his characters real flesh and blood as few authors can. A beautiful story of growing up, adventure and complicated people. I laughed, grew sad and laughed again.

Keep that first thrill alive

Published on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

You love, obsess, and write. With a little luck, a lot of sweat, blood and tears, maybe, just maybe, others will read and love your precious manuscript too.

I love to write. My husband loves the game of golf. Writing and golf have nothing in common, unless you take a peak at the inbox on our computers. As any crazy person does, we both obsess over ways to improve our craft. The result, our cup runneth over in the form of more information than either of us can process.

The running joke around our house is, did you delete or read?

This got me to thinking how these “tips” seem to run in trends, following the same subject. Which leads me delete more than I read. I mean, how many emails can I read on comma splices. See my point? Then came my ah-ha moment. Why do I pick one particular email, click open to a blog and read amid a sea of others on the same subject? What makes it different?

It’s the author’s tag or hook line.

Now I can see all y’all seasoned writers shaking your heads. Big deal you’re thinking. Everyone knows about tag lines. You like me have read everything there is to know concerning how to hook the reader. But sometimes we all need reminders. Tag lines are important for our blogs, books and emails.

Tag lines, and first lines matter. Hell, firsts of everything matter. Think of all the firsts your and the weight of importance they held your life. Your first love, kiss, date, dance, job, sex, car, roller coaster, high dive, beer, well you get the idea.

Firsts are important and my ah-ha moment came in realizing that first encounters with my readers must, be a good first for them. No make that a great first for them. Not sure my writing can compete with sex and beer, but I’m gonna try to step up my game and keep the thrill alive. I can’t think of anything scarier than putting myself out there to publish or perish. Yikes!

Here are some links to a few tips I opened. Enjoy, I did.

Choose Wise Guides

Put Passion in Your Writing

Danger of Premature Editing

Just the Right Word

Use a Magazine to Improve

Should You Enter Contests?

Winter of Discontent

Published on February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

The Winter of Our Discontent popped in my mind last night as I tossed and turned, trying to fall asleep. I think, now that I’m older I might appreciate John Steinbeck more. While the story didn’t fit my situation, the title spoke volumes. I won’t bother you with the details. I’m sure you’ve had your share of troubles where life was put on hold by circumstances. Things happen and all anyone can do is hold on, going with the flow, hoping not to drown before reaching the end of the rapids. Writing goes to the bottom of your list, once more its in the realm of your dreams.

Everyday my Inbox has been filled with how- to overcome writer’s block in one form or another. Most of them said, just do it. I didn’t have writer’s block. I had life circumstances block. The only fix for that is time. I hit the delete button.

Well, Spring is almost here. My mind is clicking again, and once more, the characters I love are visiting me. Although, I do wish they wouldn’t pick so late at night to visit. I do need my sleep. For the last few days, just as I’m drifting off, they slip into my mind and whisper they want to come out and play. Too bad they’re gone in the morning. But at least with the coming of spring, and the calming of circumstances, they are tiptoeing back into the forefront of my life. It’s good to be back in the groove.

Has life ever pushed you in a ditch?

How did you get your writing groove back?