Do you know what to say?

How do you write a good bio without sounding like a politician?Me

As a woman who grew up in the South, I was instructed to be modest and not brag about myself. That boasting was vulgar.

So how in the hell can I write a good bio that will not seem either vulgar, boasting or worse come across as fake.

To make it worse each publication wants a different type of bio. Some want 50 words, others want to know everything about you. Sometimes the bio needs to be in first person, other times it needs to be written in third person. Sigh.

So I want to give a big shout out to Rachelle Gardner: Literary Agent, Editor & Publishing Coach, for her post on how to write a terrific bio.

No publishing credits?

You still need a bio and Rachel has suggestions to get you started.

Head over to her blog and read How to Write a Terrific Author Bio for some great tips. I don’t know about you, but I needed every one of them.

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If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Are you choosing the right word?

A picture paints a thousand words, but the right words can paint an amazing picture.

In this article, Mr. Kickman explains how important it is to choose the right words to set a scene.

Sometimes I’m too succinct, too quick and too sparse leaving out too many details.

Maybe it’s from writing too many Flash stories. I’m not sure, but I do know how much I enjoy a story when the words pull me into their world.

Read the article at SouthWest Writers and let me know what you think.

WHAT THE RIGHT COMPARISON CAN DO FOR YOUR STORY

by Kirt Hickman

Let me know what you think. I’m always interested in your comments.

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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 want to know the publishing process?

Then here are 18 steps to make it happen.

Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror author, Michael Cairns lists 18 steps from draft to finish.

Check out his website and see if you’ve forgotten a one.

Is your process is different or about the same?

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If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

 

Writers – Mistakes to Avoid

Are you close?

Are you ready?

Ryan Lanz gives some very common sense reminders before you hit that send button.

I’m just about ready to start the process on my children’s book. (If I can resist tweeking it for the another zillion times.)

Now if I can just find that perfect Agent! 

Or Do I self-publish?

Decisions, decisions.

What do you think? Any suggestions? 

Thanks for the tips Ryan!

 What Not To Do When Sending Off Your Manuscript.

I love comments, please leave me one, then click on the Facebook and Twitter links to pass my post on to your friends.

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!