Tag: Books

Here’s to life!

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

“First comes love then comes marriage, then comes…” Can you remember the taunting nursery rhyme? Aimed at teasing a sibling, friend or maybe at ourselves at that first crush.

Then the real thing hits, love blooms and if you were like me the world had no limits. Oh to be that young again.

The sixties and seventies were magical. The world seemed to be exploding with opportunities. Young and in love we left family and friends far behind for a better life. We would be different, we would not become our parents. Our children would be exposed to all the differences and the wonders we could provide. After all we had a car, and steady paycheck from Uncle Sam. My new husband just had to avoid getting shot at a few more months. After the birth of our first child we left Uncle Sam and New England for the warmth of the South.

I worked hard to become the hippest/hottest new Mom on the block. Dr. Spock was all the rage and with the help of Dr. Joyce Brothers and saran wrap things were hopping at our house. But like many stay at home moms with two kids, a hard-working husband and various pets I became bored with the Desperate Housewife way of life. I needed more.

Along came a cause in the form of religion; Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker. Unless you lived underground you know I’m talking about the 700 Club in Charlotte, N.C.  I fell hook line and sinker, found God, and set out to save the world. Soon my family and I were involved in the Assemblies of God and later an independent church that led us to Houston, TX.

We lived and worked in Houston for many years. As all things go in cycles, so did religion. Suffice it to say, our eyes were opened and our hearts broken. Along with a lot of folks we lost everything but each other.

Soon our path led us to Dallas where we’ve built a wonderful life and watched our kids become beautiful adults. Today I thought of an old Frank Sinatra song. Where the lyrics say something about being a puppet, a pauper, a poet, a something a other… Then goes on with… “That’s life.”

My life isn’t what I thought it would be, but I’m not sure how many people can say their life is going exactly as planned.

I set out to set the world afire, it doesn’t need to be ablaze.

I set out to change the world, it’s not a one person job.

I set out to make a difference, I think we all make a difference one way or another.

So here I sit attempting to do something for myself, write. I’ve dabbled at it off and on the last couple of years, as time permitted. Writing is a dream I’ve resurrected from my childhood. This is for me. I hope one day I’ll enjoy reading what I’ve written, as will others.

If not oh well, “That’s Life.”

So when my writing gets off course, like life, and I’m sure it will. I’ll pick myself up, read a good book, dust off my keyboard and try again. If you too need a little encouragement, check out some of the books/blogs below and get back in the race.

Great to get unstuck

http://rebeccatdickson.com/

 http://janefriedman.com/

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com

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Do it For Pleasure

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

My novel stalled over the summer, but then I remembered why I’d started this book. It began as a project for my granddaughters. A recent conversation with one of them prompted me to get off my procrastinating duff and get busy. I’d allowed myself to be sidelined by many of the blogs and self-help articles on how to write, sell and publish.

 My Inbox filled to overflowing, reading one after another, soon I’m sucked in, and the day is gone. Now don’t get me wrong, nine out of ten are terrific and worth reading if that’s how I wished to spend my time, but I’ve got a novel to write.
Since that day things have been progressing much better. I’m still not moving at lightening speed but after the holidays, I plan on no excuses.
After the events in Connecticut yesterday, I’m reminded once more how precious time is and if I’m to finish my novel before my grandkids have kids of their own, I will keep my goal in sight. So, I’ll do my best to remember the only accolades I want or need for this book are the ones coming from five adoring fans who think I’m great no matter how many copies I’ll sell. They are my target audience.
Should anyone else enjoy the words I put between the first page and last, well that’ll be icing on the cake. Now I’ve some writing to do for the love of some young readers and the pure pleasure of writing.
Stay motivated.
          Jean
keyboardsideways3

The Passage

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

A Novel, by Justin Cronin is not really a book about vampires as most of us know them. I must say that I felt cheated after having finished the book. Maybe cheated is a little strong, perhaps mislead is a better word. This is a saga that spans 100 years.
It does begin with a little girl but then veers off with other people. She seems like a minor player for most of the book. Soon it becomes apparent her psychic abilities to communicate with the vampiric type monsters will be pivotal to saving the world.
The story is about a mad scientist who wants to find a way to cheat death. It is hard to buy into the premise that anyone individual can have enough power to do the things he was able to do. It is too incredible. So I had a hard time with that part of the story. As with all mad scientists his subjects break free and soon all of mankind stands on the brink of annihilation. I could almost envision “Mad Max” type of post-apocalyptic world at this point as the different group of survivors tried to defeat the monsters that set out to destroy the world. Enter the little girl again. I will leave it here for you. There is really no ending to the book. No wrap up. No happy every after. Like most saga type books, it just is. So for me it was quite unsatisfying. I understand that this is just the first of a trilogy and that his next saga will explain a lot as the “vampires” evolve. There is a BIG cast of characters in this first book and a lot of unresolved issues. Justin promises to resolve them in the next book. As for myself I don’t think it will be worth my time to plod through another saga to hope they get resolved.
Would I recommend it? Only if you had nothing else to do.