Creative writing – Page 94

Do you give credit to the right person?

Published on December 18, 2015February 19, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

I checked a few books, ask a few writers and then made my own decision.

I acknowledged the talented lady who drew the illustrations for my first published children’s book. Ashley Bauer.

The following article confirmed I did the right thing. Sort of. I felt acknowledging Ashley was right because I’ve always believed in giving credit where credit was due. Without her, my book would have lacked color and spice.

Thanks to that added color and spice I received a glowing review from Readers’ Favorite. “… An engaging and entertaining story laced with humor…. The illustrations are adorable and they complement the author’s words nicely, breathing life into the scenes. “ 5 Stars from Readers’ Favorite

I’ll be the first to admit my book would’ve looked naked without suck adorable illustrations. I guess it’s true one picture is worth a thousand words.

Just as we want readers to love the words we write and the blogs we post, illustrators want recognition for the pictures they produce.

Writing and publishing Tryouts for Ben has been a major learning curve for me. Next book, I’ll add the illustrator’s name not only to the inside but also to the front cover.

Thank you, Debbie Young for bringing to my attention how and why recognizing illustrators is important. Especially the when and how to part. Learning is always helpful.

Head over and read her article: Why It’s Important to Credit Illustrators

Tell me, do you credit your illustrator and if so where? On the cover, inside or both?

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Want to give your best pitch?

Published on December 15, 2015December 14, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Learning to write a good logline is the best way.

Do you write that logline before or after you’ve written that novel? First and you’re ready to go when the time comes to share your novel. But everyone has their own system.

I think it’s important to write it first. And then put it on a post it note where you can see it every day. Sort of like a guiding sign post.

I use my logline, my elevator pitch if you will and to stay on target. Sometimes I might need to revise, rewrite or tweak it a bit. Like I’m doing today. But as long as I can see it, I can keep writing.

It helps me to get back to the basics. Not to get bogged down in explaining so much too soon.

Giving that elevator pitch to ourselves every day, reminding us what the end game is, helps keep the story on track and avoids a lot of story derailment.

If you’re looking for a formula to help read – Writing a Killer Logline.

Also, JAMES BURBIDGE gives 10 TIPS FOR WRITING LOGLINES

Remember a logline gives the gist of your story in one or two sentences.

Doesn’t give everything away and doesn’t mention names.

How to write a logline.

I’d love to read some of your loglines. Please share with us in the comments section.

Here’s the logline on my post it note.

“In a small nowhere town, a young girl finds a strange book, and soon learns the true meaning of be careful what you wish for.”

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Not for the faint of heart

Published on December 10, 2015December 9, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Navigating the self-publishing maze, that is.

Createspace, Amazon’s self publishing platform to be the easiest. I did run into a few snags. Especially when I wanted to make changes. But I don’t want to get into that now.

However, Ingram Sparks is all together another matter. I so understand why there is a market for professional who will do the work for the writers. After 6, yes 6 tries I finally submitted my small manuscript successfully. Or so I thought, keep reading.

I cannot imagine what it would’ve been like if my manuscript had been 300 pages. Lord help me, I might’ve ended up bald.

Of course, maybe I just made it harder than it actually was.

Upside to Createspace is it’s free and everyone knows Amazon.

The upside to Ingram Sparks is libraries and bookstores order through them.

The down side to Ingram Sparks is it’s not as user-friendly as Createspace and it’s not free.

You must buy an ISBN (Createspace provides it free) plus a cost for the catalog. I did get a special title set up for free, apparently there is usually a charge for that too.

So while Ingram Sparks can cost a little to get started, that is not what bothered me. The cover template was a bear to work with. I was so frustrated trying again and again to get it right, I almost gave up.

But, I did get it done! Whoo hoo!

Unfortunately, the proof arrived today and it is all in black, white and shades of gray!

Give me a freaking break!!!

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Oh well, back to the drawing board, I mean back to the Ingram Sparks website. Sigh….

I agree with Debbie Young in her article – Opinion: Is it Time to Drop the S Word?

I didn’t want to use my name as the publisher. Having a publishing house name seems to give more weight to the book.

What do you think? Any tips to help a girl out?

Do you think it’s time to do away with the self-publishing label?

Want to avoid some mistakes? Check out this video.

The easiest thing I’ve done to date was setting up my DBA and publishing company logo. Funny, I thought that would be difficult, but it wasn’t. Go figure.

If you want to find my books, click on the logo below.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

A big thank you and Happy Holidays to my readers

Published on December 9, 2015December 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Without you my year would’ve been very boring.

This year will be very special for our family. It will be the first time in over 3 years that my kids and grandkids will be in the same country for Christmas. To say I’m excited is an understatement!

But no matter the greeting, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy St. Lucia Day, Happy Ramadan or Eid, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Omisoka, or even a Joyous Yule Day, my wish is that you will have a safe and wonderful month of December.