Creative writing – Page 105

Who do you click and read first?

Published on September 17, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

If you’re like me, there are a few writers I read first. Clicking on their emails is automatic.

Why? Because they’ve written something that will inspire and get my brain ticking in almost every post.

So they are my first clicks.

How did I find them? By following bread crumbs of links left by you guys!

Some days my writing suffers because I get so caught up in clicking and reading, but other days after reading a tip or go-get-um post I’m fired up.

This post over at Finally Writing: THE ONE THING THAT SETS GOOD COPY APART FROM THE COMPETITION

Love her tag: Turn heads wearing nothing but your words.

This post that got me fired up and thinking about my WIP.

I’d never really thought about my fiction writing as “Good Copy” but now my brain is churning.

Seems to me “Good Copy” is what engages the reader, no matter the format presented.

Jackie Johansen, points out in this post how important it is to humanize our words, our stories and connect with our readers on a very basic level.

Our writing is our product and if the reader doesn’t feel it, believe it or care, they will put your book back on the shelf or click delete.

Something to ponder.

I hope you’ll blog-hop over and get a little nugget to help you too.

Now get to writing something profound!

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Do you like to talk?

Published on September 14, 2015September 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Well, now you can talk your book, short story or blog into existence.

Doing a happy dance!

I’ve discovered Google Voice!

Okay, maybe I’m a little late to the dance, no teasing out there, but I think this is so cool. Now I can talk to my computer and watch as it types on my screen.

Plus it’s FREE!

I love free stuff!

I’ve never been very good at dictation, even in the olden days of hand-held dictaphone. But this is one more tool in my ever-growing writing arsenal.

As a person who deals with chronic pain, there are days when typing is just not possible. But, I can always talk. LOL

So I plan on learning to use this program more effectively.

Check out Google Docs Voice and see if it’s something you might want to add to your writing tool box.

Do you use a voice command program to dictate your writing? If so, which one?

Do you want to join me and write short burst of creativity?

Published on September 12, 2015June 20, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Are you up for a challenge?

What can you say in 140 characters?

Not words, but characters. That includes spaces.

Flash Fiction is one of my favorite story forms. The constraints of 100 – 1000 words require me to judge each and every word.

But how about Twitter stories?

Can I paint a vivid picture in 140 characters? Can you? Let’s find out.

There are several hashtags to follow writers who love the quick, down and dirty writing in 140 characters.

#140story
#140
#140tale
#twittertales
#storyin140

And now mine: #JW140

(#JW140 kinda sounds like that oil we spray on squeaky hinges) Now that just gave me an idea. LOL

I’m sure there are more, but this should get us started.

So here is my challenge:

Tweet a tale in 140 characters, use the #JW140 plus any of the others listed above, and then link to your tweet in the comments section. Tweet and retweet!

To find mine, find my story go to Twitter and search for #JW140.

Let’s have some fun. No telling where your story might lead. A new book, maybe? Hmm.

Use a story in progress, or one already written.

Tweet your story once a day, twice a day, or whenever. Doesn’t matter, you are in charge.

But if you need ideas to jump-start your muse, check out Mashable Readers.

Doesn’t matter when you join in, today, tomorrow or next week. No pressure and if you miss a day, pssft! Who cares. This is going to be fun. Start and stop when you want.

Do critiques discourage you?

Published on September 11, 2015September 9, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

“Hey, what’s up?” I answered the phone with my usual greeting.

“I’ve just been stripped naked and marched down main street.”

I swiveled away from my computer screen. She had my undivided attention.

“Do what? What are you talking about?”

My sister, critique partner and an amazing writer then explained. Seems she’d won an evaluation for her WIP (work in progress) from a noted author, teacher and blogger.

The prize evaluation had been delivered this morning, like an atom bomb, via conference call.

It wasn’t what she’d expected.

“More like a public flogging,” she said.

“Ouch, it couldn’t have been that bad.”

What else was I going to say?

“Trust me it was. I’m now rethinking not only my entire story, but my talent too.”

“Whoa, wait a second. You’ve written over 40 thousand words. You can’t throw it in the trash. I’m sure you just took the critique too seriously.”

Now let me say upfront, she is a very good writer. I hear you, you think my opinion is skewed and that may be, but let me assure you, she can tell a hell of a story.

My job at this point is to just listen and let her vent before I step in with the voice of reason.

Why am I sharing this with you? Sometimes I think we as writers need to hear more than what we are doing wrong. Anyone who steps out of their comfort zone as she did is:

Brave! Anyone who subjects themselves to an indepth evaluation of this type is DAMN BRAVE. Definately braver than I am.
Critiques are subjective. Opinions are like tastes, but not all are equal. As such, take with a grain of salt and move on.
Talent like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Or in the instance of a writer, the eyes of the reader.

I’m sure she learned a lot from the author and her evaluation prize. I’m equally sure the author meant the critique to be constructive.

Why did I share this? As a reminder.

Don’t let anyone pour cold water on your dreams.
Absorb the positive, helpful information, and then shake off the negative.
And remember no matter how thick your skin, some things still smart.

Read LYNNETTE LABELLE “Do You Have Thick Skin? Are You Sure?” for help dealing with rejections.

And from one writer to another, remember to write it your way!

Mechanics are important, but it’s the story that must shine.

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!