Tag: Creative writing

Do you ever have a love-hate relationship with writing?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Or, am I the only writer in the world that gets a love-hate relationship with a new project?

love hate

Every time I start a new piece, large or small, children’s or adult’s I am madly in love until…

Do you know what I mean?

Do you reach a point where the characters talk back? Give you lip (as Mom used to say)? Don’t want to cooperate?

Damn irritating if you ask me. After all, the work I’ve done plotting out the story, etching out a scene, researching a place and dressing them beautiful clothes, the least the bitches could do is cooperate. Don’t you agree?

Seems after all this work everything should just fall into place. Words, one by one into lines, making lovely sentences building an amazing story that rivals a Lego work of art. Ah, if only writing a best seller was so easy. Instead, of interlocking Lego blocks, the damn thing falls over like something stacked up with uneven cardboard grocery boxes.

Ever happen to you? What do you do when you reach this point? How do you get everyone back on the same page and going in the same direction?

I’ve decided to go read for a while and let them think about the error of their ways. Then I’ll come back and try to whip everyone back into place. Sigh…

A writer’s work is never easy.

As always, I’ve linked articles by writers a lot smarter than I am for your reading pleasure. Look at the bottom.

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on 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.

Write Your Novel – Keeping Track
Novel writing tips: How to keep your novel on track
Tips for Keeping Track of Vital Information in Your Novel
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What is the best way to write a story?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Is there a best way or just a different way?

Ever lay awake with a story running around in your head like a demented hamster on one of those little wheels?

That happened to me last night. And after tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, I came up with a plan.

Index Cards.

I laid out the story on index cards in my mind.note-147603_640

Now I’ve never used this technique before. But that’s what worked last night. After I’d planned the story one index card at a time, I was able to finally drift off to sleep.

index cards
one end of my kitchen table

I’m not usually a planner. Nor am I a total pantster either. I’m somewhere in the middle. I jot down a story summary and go from there. However, this morning after enough coffee to clear the cobwebs I opened a pack of index cards, no telling how long I’ve had these things and, began writing.

So far, I like the process. I’ll keep you updated as to how it goes, if this works for me or not. Because jotting down my thoughts on these cards is just the beginning. Now I must convert these cards into scenes and the scenes into chapters. That’s the tricky part.

I understand a lot of you like Scrivener and use the index cards there. I’ve never tried that. Hmm, maybe…

Google how to write using index cards and whoa! Everyone seems to have a different take on how to use them. Some of the techniques are more detailed than an old-fashioned outline.

The point is there is no right way to plot out your story.

Whatever works for the writer is the right way. And there are lots of ways to write a story. Whether you begin with an outline, a summary, a query, index cards or just sit down and write like the bats of hell are after you. It’s all good.

Y’all tell me, do you use cards or post-it notes?

What is your favorite method to write or start your story?

My inquiring mind wants to know. Leave me a comment or 

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

And as always, there are great links at the end of this post. Keep reading.

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

Notecarding: Plotting Under Pressure

Using Index Cards To Outline A Novel

25 WAYS TO PLOT, PLAN AND PREP YOUR STORY

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How to make a plot into a story

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Just what is the difference?

Doesn’t a good plot automatically write a good story?

Nope. Nor does a good idea turn, as if by magic, into a good story.

I have a notebook filled with good ideas and files filled with outlines that go nowhere. A lovely outline doesn’t make a good story, and few of my outlines are lovely. A story is more than a series of events.

So just what makes a good story?Story Telling

A story  makes the writer and reader feel something. It has the power of persuasion.  I included the writer because if I don’t feel persuaded, my readers certainly won’t. A writer’s job is to ensnare the reader to the degree they are willing to suspend belief and believe the impossible. That’s my goal.

Want to know more?

Chuck Wendig takes a concept that is unexplainable and gives us as close to an explanation as is possible. I hope you get as much from his post as I did.

Click and read WHAT EXACTLY MAKES A DAMN GOOD STORY?

Now go forth and write that damn good story.

I’d really like to know, so tell me…

How do you recognize a good story?

Do you start with an idea or character?

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 know how to write a book review?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell81 Comments

I must confess, writing a book review is very hard for me.

You’d think as a writer, writing a book review would be easy. It’s not.

But reviews are as important to writers as water to fish. Writers need book reviews. The best way to get is to give.

So I set out to learn more about writing a good review.

I used to adhere to the old saying, “If you can’t say something good say nothing.”

Now I go with, “In everything, there is some good. Look for it.”girl-308360_640

When you write a review, it’s important to find that “something” good to say.

Even for books that aren’t my genre, and even for those that make me cringe, I search for something good to say.

Things to look for…

  • Did the title or the cover get your attention?
  • Identify the genre.
  • Identify the audience (age.)
  • Identify the Point of View.
  • Is there a theme or common thread throughout the story?
  • Does the book or authors style remind you of another’s?
  • Review don’t critique.
  • Were characters loveable, believable, scary, or memorable?

Information to include in a review…

  • Include the name of book and author as well as the length of the book.
  • An opening hook. (ask a question, give a hint, etc.)
  • What you enjoyed. (character, line, writing style, etc.)
  • Who might enjoy this type of book?
  • A short summary. But remember this is not a book report.
  • A wrap-up or closing. (If you didn’t particularly like the book, this is a good place to sandwich the bad with good.)

Review example:

(Author’s name) new book, (book title) is (what? funny, sad, moving, thrilling, haunting?) A (genre) in (where or time?) is about (what? war? girl? boy? love? death?)  It’s about (a brief summary.)

(who?) will enjoy reading (book title). I found this book to be (quick, detailed, engrossing, lengthy, informative, etc.) Readers who enjoy (genre) may like (title.)

Final tip:

If you’re unsure how to word your review, read other reviews in the same genre. Go to Amazon.com, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.com and read reviews until you are comfortable with the process.

So, do tell…

What advice can you offer to this struggling reviewer? 

Do you find writing book reviews easy or hard?

Keep reading, good articles below on the art of writing a review.

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.

How to Write a Book Review  by Bill Asenjo 

Writing a Book Review  Contributors: Allen Brizee

Book Review Writing Template  By