Creative writing – Page 2

Do you think writers need more social media?

Published on May 3, 2019May 2, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Do you find social media apps confusing or even a bit frightening?

Like, for instance, Instagram? I do! I can barely keep up with Twitter and Facebook. Plus, I don’t have a clue about how to use Instagram effectively. AND, I’m terrible at self-promotion. Which leads to panic every time I try a new social media platform.

But, I recently learned a bit more about how to use Instagram without going nuts or running away in fear.

Using Instagram to Promote Your Book by Author Steve Boseley

Thanks go to Steve Boseley for this enlightening and encouraging article.

What I learned from Steve…

Instagram has a free business account.
Millions of people use Instagram daily. (500 – 800 M) Which far outpaces Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Wow!
Make sure your Instagram name is easy to read and spell. Hmm…
Take advantage of the Bio link. With this, you can send readers to your landing page, website or newsletter.
With the free business account, you can link Instagram to your Facebook page. Using the phone app…
- Click on your pic at the bottom, next click on the three lines at the top right corner, select Settings at the bottom, next select account and “Switch to a Business account.”
Don’t hit readers over the head with a hard sell. Limit sales posts to 30% of all your posts.
Make your photos unique. Instagram allows you to edit them with a range of filters and effects. Make your pics unique. Post high-quality photos with engaging captions.
You can add multiple photos on one post and the reader can scroll through them.
Size does matter, Steve gives us info on the best.
Readers love behind the scenes photos. Let them see your workspace and process as a writer.
Check the Hashtags of other users and follow their lead. Steve gives a link on how to not suck at Hashtags. Be sure and check it out.
To promote your books, post relevant pics.
Post often and regularly. YIKES! Now I need to find the time.

Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland with watch — **Where does the time go?**

Want to know more about using Instagram?

Be sure and click on Steve’s link above, and read his entire article. Because I only hit the highlights, there is much more to know about the media.

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest

PS!

Don’t forget your favorite Graduate!

How to use a simple method for a good story?

Published on April 26, 2019April 25, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Of course, we all understand writing is hard. But what if you could simplify the process of starting?

Recently, I stumbled across an interesting article that helped me formulate this idea of change-

How to Write a Good Story: You’ll Love This Simple Method by TAL VALANTE

In this article, I learned how to break down a story smaller and smaller until I get to the core.

One word can change a sentence.
One changed sentence can change a paragraph.
One changed paragraph can change the plot.

And how to successfully use PLOT Mutation.

By looking at a story with a different perspective and making a simple, but profound change, you can turn an old plot into your own.

Give Tal’s article a read and see if you can manipulate a story into something new.

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Pinterest

How to leave an impression on readers

Published on April 19, 2019April 18, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

And write like the invisible man.

You read me right.

Reading an article by August Birch on Medium.com got me to thinking about all the books and stories I truly enjoy. Want to know what I discovered?

If I want to write a review, I must do it immediately after finishing the book. Because the mechanics of the book fade quickly, but the impression lasts much longer. I remember what books I loved and the ones I hated, but my reactions are personal and vague.

As August points out…

“When we do our best work as writers, the writing disappears in the background.”

To me, that means the mechanics and style of writing fades in the background. August suggest writers should strive for “Invisible Writing.”

Have you ever become so absorbed in a movie, you couldn’t remember the color of the actors dress? Why? Because it was a great movie! Same goes for writing a great story. As the reader sees the story in their brain, it’s as if they are experiencing the story. Explaining too much makes the mental story shut down and off.

To become an invisible writer…

Avoid selecting words to sound sophisticated.
Don’t over explain or over describe the scene.
Too much description reveals a lazy writer.
If the words don’t move the story forward, cut them.
Don’t make reading your story a chore, don’t make the reader think too hard.
Reflect rather than over think as you write.

“When the reader focuses on the writing, she’s not using her subconscious to help engage with the story — you’ve lost her.” August Birch

You really should click on the link and read the article by August Birch in its entirety. He explains in greater detail what it means to be an invisible writer.

Why We Never Want Our Readers to Remember Our Writing by August Birch