Tag: Creative writing

How A Great Idea becomes A Great Story: “Angel” Chapter 1

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

Great advice Dan! “Your readers are expecting more than reality.”

If you missed this series, you must go to DAN ALATORRE‘s website.

Here is a link to the first installment. Terrific insight into the writing process.

Don’t you just love it when a successful writer lets you see in their soul?

pinguin
Image source

Read and enjoy… 

How do you make a neat idea into a great story? You take the idea, get it out of your head and onto paper/into the computer, and then you refine it until it sings with the clarity of a tuning fork,…

Source: How A Great Idea becomes A Great Story: “Angel” Chapter 1

 

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How to use dialogue tags effectively

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

Looking for another dialogue tag other than “said?”

Don’t know about you but I do tire of using he said, she said over and over. I’m sure readers tire of seeing this tag peppered throughout a book.

 

But what to use instead?

Thanks to my favorite Ape, I found The Mad Scribbler and an extensive list of alternative tags.

Creating Tone through Dialogue

Now I’m not sure all of these words work but the list does give me ideas for adding action to a conversation.

How about you? Do you think the word “said” is overused?

What about some of the words on the Mad Scribbler’s list? Would you use them?

Want more suggestions? Go to links at bottom of post.

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Over 200 words to use instead of said. 

The Use and Abuse of Dialogue Tags

 

one of the best tips I’ve read in a long time

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

I loved this article by Janice Hardy. Her tips on how to enhance a story with characters really got me to thinking more about mine.

Everyone has quirks. Good, bad, funny, sad, or funky, we all have something that makes us unique. So, what is weird or quirky about your characters?

However, just adding a limp or lazy eye won’t do the trick.

So just what is my favorite tip?

No Talking!

no_talking

That’s right! No talking. Janice suggests take a scene, or section of the story and cut out all of the dialogue. Now take another look. Can you imagine the character? Can you name something unique about them without reverting to their eye color, height, weight, hair, etc.?

I can’t wait to try this!

This is just one of her invaluable tips. Click the link below to read the others.

What do you think?

Do you think cutting the dialogue will help with any of your scenes?

If you give it a try, let me know if it worked. I’d love to hear!

Want Better Characters? Get Rid of the Dialogue By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

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Do you know how to write a synopsis or summary?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

As you enjoy the holidays with family and friends, I hope you enjoy this “Best of Jean’s Writing.”

I’ve got about ten different ones written different summaries, synopsis or whatever for the same WIP. Yes, you heard right. I don’t like any of them, but I keep trying.  That’s wh…

Source: Do you know how to write a synopsis or summary?

I hope everyone is having a wonderful winter break! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

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