Creative writing – Page 76

Do you think blogging hurts or helps your writing?

Published on May 30, 2016June 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

For me, the answer is both.

Do you see an end to blogging in your future?

crystal ball 2

I started my blog to practice and hone my skills. It had been years since I’d attempted to write anything other than professional documents and after reaching a point in my life where I had the time to indulge myself, I wanted to write for fun.

My blog evolved and changed as I met other writers/bloggers.

Has your blog changed since you began? Do you write more or less?

Thanks to many wonderful writers sharing their knowledge and skills, I began to gain some confidence. And I wanted to retain as much as possible. began blogging about what this enormous community taught me. I must confess, blogging and linking back to y’all is my way of not only saying thanks but also preserving the information for myself.

In order to preserve this bounty of information, I began blogging about what this enormous community taught me. So yes, blogging has taught me a lot about writing. However, the more time I dedicate to blogging the less time I dedicate to actually writing. That’s the hurting side of this two-edged sword.

Finding a balance is hard.

Life takes over and also makes its own demands on our time.

Will there come a time when my blogging will reach an end? Probably.

What about you? Do you see a change coming? Is your blogging days numbered?

Read the article below on today’s Speak Out Blog over at WOW by Sheila Good, and tell me what you see for the future.

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Friday Speak Out!: Is It Time to Stop Blogging?

by Sheila Good

Do you know why some books sell and others don’t?

Published on May 27, 2016May 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Me too!

But there doesn’t seem to be a magic formula. Too bad, I was looking for one.

We all know being famous helps, even if you can’t write.

But what else sells a book?

A dynamite cover will peak a reader’s curiosity.

In this day when everyone can publish a book from the comfort of their home computer, a book must stand out above the rest.

Make sure you book is not overpriced. Everyone loves a bargain.

A book doesn’t sell itself. Market it!

I’m terrible at marketing. Tooting my own horn is not something that comes easily. But if you want your book to be noticed, you need to learn to blow.

Start with great packaging and attention grabbing title. Give the reader information or a story that compels them to keep reading. And then share with anyone who will listen.

Below is a really good article with 21 things that make for a top-selling book.

Check out:

Why Do Some Books Sell When Others Don’t?

Do you have any tips to share about how to help a book rise above the competition?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Can you write like a man?

Published on May 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

Or if you’re a man, write like a woman?

Some slip between genders with ease. But for those of us who have to work a little harder, here is a great article by Janice Hardy.

For me, it couldn’t come at a better time, as I’m elbow deep in the companion book to A Most Reluctant Princess and need to get my mind in the head of a “little prince.”

So do tell, can you slip with ease between genders when you write?

Or do you need a little time to adjust your mindset?

Hope you get as much from her advice as I do.

Take it away Janice. Gender Bending: Writing a Different Gender Than Your Own

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Did you know it only takes one?

Published on May 24, 2016May 24, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

One ISBN.

That’s right, one ISBN to print with IngramSpark and CreateSpace.

We all want our books available in as many places as possible but if the same paperback book has more than one ISBN, it can become confusing.

There is an order to this madness. And steps you can take to stay sane as you wade through the swamp of self-publishing.

First, purchase your ISBN number from Bowker.

Yes, it costs to buy your own ISBN but you retain more control. Consider buying in bulk rather than one at a time. I found it cheaper to go that route. The numbers never expire and they are yours to use for future books.

Second publish your book with IngramSpark (Lightening Source) first.

This is very important. You must publish with them before CreateSpace.

Third, register log onto Bowker and register your book title which connects the ISBN to the publication.

Registering your book title is super important, don’t skip this step.

Last upload your book via Createspace.

At the ISBN page, choose “provide own ISBN.”

screenshot isbn

That’s it! Your book will now be available through both IngramSpark and Amazon.com (CreateSpace) but the book will have the same ISBN number.

Why is this important?

Whether your Aunt Tilly orders it from Amazon or your local library orders a copy through IngramSpark for their shelves, the ISBN is the same.

I’ve not decided it this is important for ebooks yet.

What do you think? Do you think it’s important to own the ISBN for ebooks as well as print books?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

For more information about ISBNs click on the article at the bottom.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.