Tag: Creative writing

How to avoid the Vanishing Act and Dreaded 404 Error

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

I wish there was a fool-proof way!

But I doubt there is. Not totally. 

Here’s what happens.

A blogger gives a little bit of information. “Hey guys, look what I found. Go to this other website link and read all about it.”

But, what I didn’t understand was that weeks could pass before you read my blog and that “other website” might have moved or gone kaput. Which happens more and more as people tire of blogging or switch blogging platforms. 

Depending on the server, you’ll get something like this but the message will be the same. Nobody is home. 

404 page

Readers got the Vanishing Act and Dreaded 404 Error which made me look bad.

Not wanting to bill myself as some writing guru I was doing this more and more on my blog. However, recently I found myself irritated with another website when every link gave me the 404 finger. I clicked away and unfollowed. 

Which got me to thinking. I know dangerous ground, me thinking. But, if I felt that way maybe my readers felt that way too. I don’t want unhappy readers.

Now don’t get me wrong!

I love linkbacks and reblogs! 

Linkbacks and reblogs are the strongest forms of flattery for a blogger.

There had to be a solution.

So what to do?

I’ve decided that I’ll do my best to…

  • Share here on my website what I learn.
  • Share why I think my readers might find it important too.
  • Share the source link at the end of the post. After all, I’m not an expert but I firmly believe credit should be given where credit is due. 
  • And last but not least I’m going to try to make my posts shorter. 🙂

Do broken links bother you?

Do they discourage you from visiting websites again?

Talk to me  and thanks for stopping by my blog.
You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdellhttps://twitter.com/jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

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Do you think your novel could be a novella?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

This is something I’ve considered before.

Novel or Short Story, Part 2

Maybe I just need to wrap things up and call it a day.

Writing a novel is a daunting task. A finished novel, after editing and cutting, will be about 60,000 words. Which means I need to write about 80,000 or more. Gotta give the editor plenty to slash out of the manuscript. Sigh…

So maybe I should consider changing my goal.

Have you ever considered the novella?

There is a lot more wiggle room regarding word count, with a novella. Usually between 30 to 60,000. With fewer words, comes fewer characters, fewer scenes, and fewer conflicts. Story structure is still very important but with the novella, things happen fast. There isn’t time to drag out the tension nor room to waste words. 

No, we must get to the point quickly, leading the reader to the climax with little detours. 

How would you go about taking your current WIP and turning it into a novella?

  • Make an outline using 3 acts
  • Limit the characters to those necessary to the purpose of the story
  • Edit out unnecessary characters and subplots (this is hard)
  • Limit to one single but satisfying conflict, question or goal
  • Increase and build the pace toward the final conflict during the 3rd act.

Want to read more about writing a novella read the following article from Bridget over at Now Novel

How to write a novella: 6 essential tips

What do you think? Do you see a novella in your future?

Do you think it would be harder or easier to write a novella?

Still want more? Click and read Part 1:

Why Not Turn Novel into a Short Story?

 

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Replacing ugly truth with a lovely lie

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

In the old schoolhouse, Karen trembled as memories washed over her like waves of a Tsunami. She gasped for air. Her chest tightened. The pictures that flashed through her mind were not the memories she’d expected nor wanted. Where was the laughter of friends and good times? Ghosts mocked her from the darkened rooms as they moved amid the broken glass and thick dust of the past.

Reunions, even small ones with old flames sounded romantic. She’d been foolish, agreeing to meet Carter here of all places for one last trip down memory lane. I’d be fun he’d said. But there’d been a reason she’d avoided them all these years. Nothing fun about the bullies she’d dealt with every day. How had she forgotten what really happened? By replacing the ugly truth with a lovely lie, that was how.

Something skittered from the door on her left. She jumped out of its way and stumbled back almost landing on her ass. Mice, ghosts, and broken glass were all that remained of her shattered childhood. Karen spun around, turned her back on the old classrooms and hurried toward the entrance. Her heels clicked against the old speckled tile, the echo reminded her of Mrs. Marshall’s typing class. She took a deep breath, slowed her steps and the hammering in her chest eased. A glance at her watch brought tears to her eyes.

Or maybe Carter hadn’t changed. Older didn’t always mean better. The fading afternoon light brightened the front entrance and she let out a sigh of relief. Just a few more feet and she’d be outside within reach of her car.

A metal latch clanged in the distance as a door slammed. She stopped and listened. Footsteps, she heard footsteps. Karen looked over her shoulder but saw nothing in the dim distance of the dark hallway. She raced toward the front door and stepped into the fading evening light. She refused to be the subject of one more joke. Not here in this damned house of horrors.#amwriting

Describli Writing Prompts

In the old schoolhouse

I hope you enjoyed my effort at a writing prompt. Haven’t done one in a while, felt a bit rusty. I can’t tell y’all how much it means to have the encouragement of this community. Thanks everyone.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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

How to write a good foundation

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Start with the straight talk about world building that I need.

If I needed it, then I thought maybe someone else needed a bit of help too. I’ve never written a futuristic, or historical story. So I’ve never felt the need to do a lot of world building. However, as of late, I’ve begun to feel my stories needed more depth. 

Even when writing in the here and now, we need to flesh out the world around our characters. More than just the who, what and when.

Things to remember:

  • Community: Is it open, or restricted? What about schools, churches, stores, markets? Who are the neighbors? Traditions and rituals? Standard of living, social conduct, friendly or reserved?
  • Who is in charge of the family, community, town, school, company or wherever your story is centered?
  • What about money and jobs? Do your main characters work? What kind of jobs are available? Why? Why not?
  • What type of technology is used? Or do they use technology? Why or why not? 
  • How do your characters communicate? Text, phones, mind to mind? 
  • What happens if someone becomes ill or breaks the rules?

Thanks to Heather Jackson I now have these questions and more to help me build my “now” world for my WIP. 

earth-1195668_640

What about you?

Do you build the world around your characters or do you let your characters evolve first and then the world come into focus later?

Need help? Then you will love this article by Heather Jackson, click the link below and read her handy checklist.

1 Key Question for Worldbuilding (+ A Handy Checklist)

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

 

 

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