Facebook – Page 15 – Jean's Writing

How to ease those writer’s aches and pains

Published on January 15, 2016January 14, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

I bet you’re just like me, trying to find ways to write and stretch the kinks out at the same time.

Ain’t easy is it?

I think writers suffer with these aches and pains because we sit too long-lost in our thoughts as we breathe life onto a blank page.

If you’ve sat at a desk any length of time, you know what I’m talking about.

I started sitting at a desk when all typing was done in triplicate on a Selectric Typewriter. My hands have more knots than a boy scout climbing rope. And don’t get me started about my neck and back.

But what’s a writer to do? Me I’ll take a little cheese with my whine…. LOL

All joking aside, as a young woman I didn’t worry about taking care of my joints. Wish I had. Like so many today, thought I was invincible. Now, its hot baths and lots of Ibuprofen.

Each year I’m amazed at the ever evolving technology. I can’t seem to take advantage of it as I should. Seems to change way too fast for me.

I watched a doctor recently dictate into his computer instead of writing or typing into my chart. Unfortunately, it took him three tries to get it right. As I watched, my first thought was, maybe I could use something like that to write with. My second thought was, I don’t have that kind of time. I’d throw my computer out the door if I had to repeat myself that many times. Not to mention, I’d probably forget what I was writing about by the time the software got a paragraph right.

Do any of y’all use voice software to dictate your writing?

So, apparently not all technology is for me. But, one gadget I do use is an alarm that buzzes me when I’ve sat too long. A small reminder to stand and move about a bit. It’s not as much of an intrusion as I first thought. If I’m in the middle of a good thought, I just hit okay and keep writing. The alarm will buzz me again soon.

I also love my ergonomic mouse with the little roller thingamajig on top.

Here are a couple of good articles that y’all might find helpful.

Writing: How to Take Care of your Hands and Wrists by Debbie Young

The Best Seating Solutions for Indie Authors at their Writing Desks by Debbie Young

This is for my sisters! And anyone else who enjoys Yoga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppToA1N0CgE

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

Writers, do you need more info…

Published on January 13, 2016January 10, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

Writers, do you spend too much time on Google?

Searching for answers?

On how to self-publish your book? Or someone to review your book?

Now, thanks to the hard work of John Maberry your search will be a bit shorter.

Head over and read all of the links he has compiled on these and more subjects at his blog the Eagle Peak Press.

On the first post John gives you links for Advertising/Marketing, Email marketing, Miscellaneous promotion techniques, Press releases, special multifaceted sites, and various, Author blogs/sites of interest.

WEB RESOURCES FOR SELF-PUBLISHING AUTHORS DECEMBER 4, 2015 JOHN MABERRY

He this next post he lists links for Book design/production, General self-publishing tips and resources, and my favorite, Reviews of your book.

WEB RESOURCES FOR SELF-PUBLISHING AUTHORS–PART 2 DECEMBER 10, 2015 JOHN MABERRY

Some of the links are oldies but goodies, however, some were new to me.

I hope you find a few new surprises too. If you find a few good tips be sure and let John know. I’m sure he’ll enjoy hearing from you.

Thanks John! I love it when my readers share good info! Keep the good stuff coming guys.

Y’all can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey!

Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Writers get ready to be astounded

Published on January 12, 2016January 7, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Yes, shocked even!

Not everyone has heard about your book!

That’s right.

I know, hard to believe. As much as you’ve talked, complained, bragged, begged, posted and cried about your baby some of your friends and relatives have not heard about your book.

How do I know this?

A family member, don’t ask not gonna tell, mentioned she didn’t know I’d published a children’s book. Yes, she frequents Facebook! Where by the way I’ve shamefully plastered pictures of my book.

On occasion, I’ll run into friends and if I mention my book I get the same reaction.

I recently read an article that all of the people can’t be on social media all of the time or at the same time. It’s enough to give a writer a headache.

Well, here’s my point. I’ve got questions that need answers.

How many times and how often should we plug our book?
At what point do readers just get tired of hearing about it?
How do we promote without being obnoxious?

These are not rhetorical questions. I really want to know the answers.

Anyone have any answers, any hints?

What do you think? Please share in the comments section.

Or do you think we’re all just like trains passing in the night? Sigh….

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

Are you up for a challenge this year?

Published on January 11, 2016January 7, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell27 Comments

To Pay-it-Forward!

How?

The next post that pops up in your inbox, after you read it, share it in some way, with someone. That’s how you pay-it-forward.

Instead of going immediately to the next blogger, pause and take the next step.

Do you realize how valuable that next step is to the writer?

If you are a blogger and writer then you understand where I’m headed.

It’s a simple click! A second of your time.

We are all busy. Very busy. With kids, family, pets, bills, and life in general tugging at our shirt tails. On top of that is a muse whispering in our ear, nagging at us to come and play. And still we make the time to support each other.

Writers, and bloggers, are marvelous people.

So the next time you read a post and are tempted to hurry on to the next one, I challenge you to take a minute and Pay-it-Forward. Share someones website.

What goes around comes around.

Good Karma will find its way back to you when another writer Tweets your website to the world.

Step 1: Read (time depends on your reading speed)
Step 2: Click Buttons – Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Google Plus, PINIT, Linked In, Stumbleupon, Email, or whatever (takes seconds each)

Need some share buttons for your website? It’s easy!

Use WordPress.com?

Go to WP Admin, Settings, Sharing: select which buttons you want and where. Easy, peasey.

Or check out this web site at Share This!

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