Creative writing – Page 73

What if you could change the world?

Published on June 20, 2016June 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

That’s what I try to do every day in the make-believe worlds I create. The author has complete control to move everyone and everything around at their whim. We use phrases like “what if” to push on to the next scene, or action and wham. We change the world.

Ah, too bad it’s not so easy in real life.

That simple phrase spurs the imagination and wakes us to possible changes or new directions. When we write using the “what if” well it makes the reader think and wonder. It makes the reader turn the page and continue reading.

Saturday morning I read a wonderful editorial piece in the Dallas Morning News that made me think that kept me reading to the last word. And that my friends, is what good writing is all about.

One day I hope to write as well as Randy Lee Loftis, “People have never defeated physics by arguing. They never will. In other news…”

Pour yourself another cup of coffee, tea, a glass of wine or, grab a tall cold beer, sit back, relax and read the art of writing “what if” in this thought-provoking piece by an amazing writer.

In Other News by Randy Lee Loftis

events

Tell me, have you ever been grabbed by a particular piece of writing?

By a particular writer, good or bad?

Talk to me in the comments section or you can write me or reach 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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What do you think about Kindle Unlimited?

Published on June 17, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

As a reader I love it! Especially, when one of my favorite writers adds a title to KU. But after reading the latest scam making the rounds, I’m wondering if as a writer KU might be more trouble than it’s worth.

There is no denying Amazon.com is the biggest player in the world of online booksellers. And as such we have no choice but to play in their sandbox.

However, their rules are a bit scary and gray at times. More and more it seems Amazon is becoming a power wielding giant which can strike fear into the hearts of writers.

Take Kindle Unlimited for instance. As a reader, I love KU. My books are kids books and as such are not a good choice for KU. But adult and YA books, well they are great choices for KU.

Now scammers are trying to scare authors from putting great books on the KU platform. This is terrible. I hope that Amazon will find a way to stop them other than punishing authors.

Read this author’s nightmare.

THINK YOU COULDN’T POSSIBLY LOSE YOUR AMAZON PUBLISHING ACCOUNT? THINK AGAIN.

Are any of your books on Kindle Unlimited?

Have you considered listing a title on KU?

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

Do you like to read the same type of books all of the time?

Published on June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

What about writing?

Do you write in the same genre all the time?

gen·re

noun

a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. category, class, classification, group, set, list; type, sort, kind, breed, variety, style,model, school, stamp, cast, ilk

I love to read all sorts of books, from children’s picture books, bridge/crossover books for young readers, YA, thrillers, horror, romance and even a well-written erotica. So why would I want to pigeon-hole myself in my writing?

Writing is what makes me tick.

I grow, as a writer, every time I write something. Whether it’s a post, prompt, short story or picture book I can feel my wings spreading.

However, there are pros and cons to writing in multiple genres.

Pros:

To find your voice.
To find your audience.

Cons:

Failure to do anything well.
Failure to build an audience.

Only you can decide when the time is right to dabble in other genres or to concentrate on just one.

But don’t let fear stop you.

There are many authors who cross genres. Some use a nom de plume, others don’t. I think it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we write what makes us happy.

Ian Flemming famous for the James Bond books and films also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Bet you have that song dancing in your head now. LOL Who would’ve guessed the same author that gave the world Gold Finger and 007 also gave us the flying car.

Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Adrian Hall an... — . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

James Patterson is another writer that comes to mind. From the Alex Cross Series, The Women’s Murder Club Series, to the YA Maximum Ride Series is another versatile author.

What is the genre you prefer to write? Or read?

Tell me I’d love to know. You can find me in the comments section or click to write me or at Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

Want more? Keep reading below.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MULTI-GENRE AUTHORS By: Jessica Strawser

10 FAMOUS AUTHORS WHO MADE UNLIKELY GENRE JUMPS By Emily Temple

Do you want to hear my exciting news?

Published on June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell

He’s coming!

I’m so excited. A new addition is on his way. Watch your inbox for his arrival this summer. It won’t be long. No not long at all.

Here is a sneak peek.

No, it’s not a sonogram. But it is in bright beautiful colors!

A Most Reluctant Prince

This young man has worlds to discover, trophies to win, and well, you’ll just have to find out the rest when he makes his entrance in a few weeks. I’ll keep you posted.

If you have a new book making a debut soon, be sure and let me know, I’ll help spread the word.