Creative writing – Page 111

What to do after rejection

Published on July 24, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

What to do when you receive those dreaded rejections?

Step 1: Squeeze those lemons in to a glass

Step 2: Add water and sugar, lots of sugar and make lemonade!

Step 3: Add vodka and ice

Last but not least: Get back on that horse and start writing

Next listen to Stefanie Flaxman, Editor-in-Chief brought to you by the Rainmaker Platform for some tips on the best way to proceed when getting those dreaded rejections.

A Productive, 3-Step Path to Follow When an Editor Rejects Your Writing

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Need inspiration to reach your goal?

Published on July 22, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Me too!

And after reading How I published Four Books in Two Years By Mary McNear a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, I have renewed hope.

One day, maybe, just maybe, I might get a book published.

Ms. McNear has 5 helpful suggestions to help handle the intense workload involved with meeting several writing deadlines.

Her tip on knowing your characters is definitely one area I need to work on, not to mention the dreaded structure.

Her article at Women Writers, Women’s Books is a wonderful inspiration.

Now if I can just get my butt in gear and get it done.

I hope you enjoy the article as much as I did and maybe she will inspire you to reach your goal soon.

Are rules made to be broken?

Published on July 20, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Sometimes, but not always.

I think established writers have a lot more wiggle room than novices like myself. So I sometimes become more rigid than I should. Knowing what rules are important is paramount.

Love, Love, Love A Writer’s Path.

Ryan Lanz always manages to post great information for writers and this post hit it out of the park. A Guest post contributed by Kate Foster on 7 Writing Rules For Fiction is so on the money.

I’m reblogging this post as a reminder to myself to not stifle let my voice shine through in my writing.

I hope my readers enjoy!

What to do with those ideas

Published on July 17, 2015July 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Well, I’m still on the idea kick.

I’ll leave the subject for a while after this post. But I couldn’t resist one more after reading FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS by Chris Eboch.

My last couple of posts have been about finding ideas. Okay, now that we’ve found an idea or a dozen what to do with them. Hmm….

Ms. Eboch explains if an idea is just running around in your head, like a hamster on a wheel you may have a premise rather than a story plan.

So what to do with this premise?

She breaks it down in simple to understand steps. Here are some highlights. To read the full article click on the links.

#1 – Situation

Needs a main character with a problem or goal.

#2 – Complication

That makes the goal difficult

Try the “rule of three” the main character tries to solve the problem three times.

Secondary characters can contribute to the problems and solutions

FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS Part II by Chris Eboch.

#3 – Climax

For a feeling of breathless speed, keep the sentences and paragraphs short.

#4 – Resolution

In most cases, it’s best for the main character to resolve their problems or meet their goals themselves.

The resolution finishes the climax, but it comes from the situation: it’s how the main character finally meets that original challenge.

I hope you enjoy her articles as much as I did and turn those premise nuggets into full grown stories. And this bit of fun reliving the USA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 victory.