Diana Gabaldon – Jean's Writing

Here’s hoping you have a wonderful holiday filled with reading

Published on December 20, 2017December 17, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Are you looking for additional books to read by the fire?

I’ve found a new favorite book on writing. This is not a quick read, but it’s good information about the style of writing. Click on the image to read an excerpt from Amazon.com.

A couple of favorites I’m going to revisit. These images will take you to Amazon where you can read more about the books.

For entertainment, I’m gonna continue with the Outlander series.

I’m ready for book #6

What books are you reading this holiday?

Have you finished a really good one recently?

I’m always looking for a great book, so share.

I HOPE YOU’LL TAKE A MINUTE TO FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW. I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

Are you ever unsure what to say?

Published on September 23, 2016September 21, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Or how?

Me too!

That’s the case in today’s review. I never want to say anything bad because one opinion can be vastly different from another’s. What I might love you might hate. So I never want to dissuade anyone from reading a book, yet on the other hand, I want to give an honest review.

Over my long holiday, I’d planned on taking the time to read for pleasure. I love the way Diana Gabaldon writes. She is one of my favorites. Her prose is beautiful. But as life would have it, I’d only read books one through three of the Outlander series. So I decided this holiday would be a great time to pick up number four Drums Of Autumn. I’d also loaded up my kindle with a few other books, after all, I had three weeks to read.

Drums of Autumn is 3600 meandering pages about Jamie and Claire as they struggle to settle in America. While Ms. Gabaldon beautiful prose didn’t disappoint I struggled with the length. I hated when her first three books ended, but wanted this book to speed up a bit and found myself skimming. Don’t get me wrong, Ms. Gabaldon is an amazing writer and storyteller and this book is very good, just in my opinion, not as good as the first three.

Will I read number five, The Fiery Cross? Of course! And not just because of my Scottish roots, (the M in my name stands for McIntyre.) But because I love reading great writing and I want to see how the story of Jamie and Claire ends. Will they stay in America or return to Scotland?

I did manage to read one other book by another author, after finishing this massive tomb, that review next week.

The bottom line.

The writing is amazing. The story too long-winded, kinda like your Aunt Mavis after too many glasses of wine. Characters are as vivid and alive as ever, I can’t wait to see what happens to them next. And I’m still hooked on the series, so I’ll keep reading.

PS: I’m also addicted to the TV series Outlander. Be still my heart! Jamie is hot!

Have you read any of the Outlander series?

What did you think? Which is your favorite?

What to read samples? Click on the images below!

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab 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 to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Drums Of Autumn (Outlander, Book 4) by [Gabaldon, Diana] — **Click to read a sample**

The Fiery Cross (Outlander, Book 5) by [Gabaldon, Diana] — **Click to read a sample**

Do you know how to write a sensual scene?

Published on August 26, 2016April 15, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

Well, I didn’t but I’m learning!

First, let me say I’m a big fan. So I was thrilled to find Diana Gabaldon had written a book on writing.

“I Give You My Body . . .”: How I Write Sex Scenes (Kindle Single) by Diana Gabaldon

This book did not disappoint! And believe me, I’ve read a few “how-to” books that did.

Writing love or sex scenes can make the best of us a bit squeamish at times. Ever feel as though the scene is overdone or too juvenile? Take heart, in her book Ms. Gabaldon shows not tells us how to write with humor and candid language that doesn’t turn our script into a purple nightmare of adjectives and adverbs.

Maybe you’re not a fan of historical fiction, or maybe you’ve no plans to add a sex scene to your novel, but every writer can learn something from her secrets for showing character emotion.

For the soul of a story is the characters. Their emotions are what connects the reader. Ms. Gabaldon breaks down scene by scene her secrets for drawing the reader in and letting them feel what the character is feeling.

A must-have for your writing library.

"I Give You My Body . . .": How I Write Sex Scenes (Kindle Single) by [Gabaldon, Diana] — Click image to read a sample

Do you have a favorite “how-to” writing book?

I’d love to hear about it! Do tell!

Click the “write me” tab 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 to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.