Creative writing – Page 51

Do you need to jumpstart after a dry spell?

Published on February 1, 2017March 16, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

What to do, what to do?

That’s how I’ve felt for several days. Like Sisyphus pushing my writing up a hill only to have it roll back down again. It’s exhausting not to mention frustrating.

I don’t know about you but when I take time away from writing, for whatever the reason, the stories stop. It’s as if my characters go on vacation too. And when they show back up it is at a most inconvenient time, like in the middle of the night.

Writing my blog, my book, short stories, my journal… Whew! Sometimes it’s all too much but I love it! Crazy right?

However, if I stop the well runs dry. So how do I prime the pump?

I’ve had to get inventive to get my imagination going again. Believe me, it’s not always easy.

Here’s what I do to get my ideas popping.

Read!
- Any and everything, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Emails (you get the idea)
- Favorite books, new genres, something different-uncomfortable
Watch a good movie
- Yes, good movies come from good writers
Make notes
- My memory isn’t what it used to be, sigh…
Send emails to myself when I find a good article
- See above note about memory
Write
- Anything, even if it’s gibberish, edit later
- write somewhere different, maybe outside

Still can’t write?

Well, here is one of my favorite exercises.

Open a book, any book. Copy the first paragraph. Now rewrite the paragraph making it your own. Change the character, the setting, the action, everything until it is completely different. This never fails to get my imagination going.

What do you do to keep the writing flowing?

To jumpstart your writing process after a break?

Please do share. I’d like to know. Tell me in the comments section.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting . To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Want to know more about getting your writing groove back on? Keep reading!

When the Stories Have All Stopped By Kimberly Brock

25 WAYS TO GET YOUR CREATIVE GROOVE BACK AS A WRITER

How to Return to Writing After a Long Break

Discover the truth about writing that best-seller

Published on January 27, 2017March 16, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

According to Florence Osmund, writers need to separate truth from myth on the road to becoming a successful writer.

What a relief to read that Ms. Osmund also learns the hard way, by doing. That’s me. Doing things wrong about six ways to Sunday and re-doing them again. Makes writing exhausting.

Isn’t it great when authors share their experiences in hopes of helping struggling writers like myself? I think so.

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So what did I learn from her article?

I need to find an editor for my WIP sooner than later.
- Apparently several. Just one won’t do.
- Your best friend may mean well but you get what you pay for. So bite the bullet and pay for a professional.
That being in control is a two-edged sword.
- But, hey I’m a control freak.
No one enjoys marketing.
- What a relief, thought I was the only one.
Writing a “best seller” is about as easy as threading a camel through the eye of a needle.
- Wishing won’t make it so.
- Good thing I enjoy writing.
Writing is not cheap.
- I’m beginning to see that.
Promote, promote and promote the book.
- Again with the marketing.
Price matters.
- Like Goldilocks, not too high, not too low but just right.

Go and read her article at The Book Designer. Here’s the link:

Four Truths and Four Myths That Every New Novelist Should Know

Any of these truths new to you?

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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Images by Pixabay.com

How to layer your story with secrets, mystery and illusion

Published on January 23, 2017January 22, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

DAN ALATORRE gave me a lot to think about when he asked, “…if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it?”

The HP books are some of my favorites. I mean, who wouldn’t want to write like JK Rowling?

Dan’s post discussed the art of layering a story. Layers add mystery, intrigue, and magic which keeps the reader guessing.

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Ms. Rowling opens her first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, adding a sense of mystery in the third paragraph with a secret.

Does the character in your WIP (work in progress) have a secret?

Do you agree that a secret, mystery or illusion gives a story layers?

Is it enough for the main protagonist to have a secret or should there be multiple secrets scattered throughout the story?

Read the rest of Dan’s post and tell me what you think about layering.

So… Not the beat this J. K. Rowling thing to death, but… You have to ask yourself: if you were going to write a story like Harry Potter, how would you do it? First you have to come up with an idea.…

Source: How To Write Better Stories: Layering

In case you’ve been in WITSEC or living underground for the last few years and haven’t read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone hop over to Amazon and grab it while it’s still available through the KU program.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by [Rowling, J.K.] — Amazon.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebhH3lnvq0

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

But now I’m gonna go and add some layers to my WIP.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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You can start this new year with a new journal

Published on January 20, 2017January 19, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

A New Year begins and so do the resolutions.

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I’m sure for a lot of people, not just writers, one of those resolutions is to write. To keep a diary or journal. However, putting your thoughts and feelings to paper can be daunting.

But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed or intimidated.

Writing is made easier with the right prompts and encouragement.

I’ve published a journal to empower and enable you to put those thoughts to words. This little journal provides a jumping off point for that diary you dreamed of keeping. Write daily, weekly or when the mood strikes.

There are two sizes to choose from, 6 x 9 and a pocket edition.

Please hop over to Amazon.com and it out.

Do you journal?

Have you thought about writing in a journal?

Inquiring minds want to know. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think about keeping a journal or diary.

Go here to “like” my Facebook page. Facebook at jeanswriting

To connect with me, click the “write me” tab or find for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jeanswriting and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.