fiction – Page 18 – Jean's Writing

Can an attitude adjustment make your story better?

Published on September 26, 2016September 22, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Well, maybe. Sometimes just like kids our characters need an attitude adjustment.

A change in attitude at our house could save my kids a world of grief. And me a lot of aggravation. Parents reading this know exactly what I’m talking about. wooden-spoon-adjustment

The mood in our house could go from calm and peaceful to stormy in zero to sixty seconds if someone couldn’t find their shoes or if one of their siblings “stole” a favorite toy.

If only I had a dollar every time I’ve said, “Watch your tone, young lady.” or “Child, you better change that attitude.” I’d be very rich.

Why am I talking about tone and atmosphere?

Because I’m learning how important it is to put these two things at the beginning of a story.

I’m currently reading Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules Kindle Edition by Steven James and one of the things he talks about is setting the tone and atmosphere for the story.

Mr. James explains the reader becomes enmeshed in their surroundings from page one. So it’s important to set the stage early, to create a mood, and tone that is consistent with promises you’ve made to the reader.

In a story, we establish the mood through the setting. Such as in music, layout, weather, room decor, lights, etc.

The tone is something else. That is conveyed through dialog. The voice, dialect, rhythm, and style that tells the story.

“You better change your tone girl.” Another admonishment my daughter has heard me say a few hundred times. In a few clipped words, she could convey acid like sarcasm that’d peel paint from the wall.

Image result for attitude adjustment maxine meme

I’m not even half-way through Mr. James book but I can tell you it will find a permanent place in my library.

What do you think about setting the tone and establishing the mood as we write?

Do you have a tip that would help set the atmosphere? Do share!

Another great article on creating mood click: Creating the mood of a story: 5 tips for strong atmosphere at Now Novel

Story Trumps Structure: How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules by [James, Steven] — **Click and read a sample**

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.

New Book: Anatomy of a Song

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!

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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**

How to decide on the best book cover

Published on September 19, 2016February 19, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

The cover of your book is a big decision.

We all want our book to stand out, to shine brighter than all the other books. Right?

But should you design your own or hire a designer?

I used Canva for one book, but I’m considering hiring a designer for the next book. Why? Because the more I read about book covers, the more I’m convinced a book benefits from a professional’s touch.

I think Bryan over at Become a Writer Today, has some terrific tips for a successful book cover. The idea of making a Pinterest board of covers is a great idea. With this type of board, whether you design your own or hire a pro, you have an idea for what is selling. I’d never thought of that, but that is now on my to-do list.

Click on the link below and read all of his tips.

Publishing a Book? Then You’ll Need a Eye-catching Cover by Bryan

Tell me…

Did you design your cover?

Or did you hire a pro? How did you find a professional designer?

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.

You will love reading this self-published NYT bestseller

Published on September 16, 2016August 23, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

I read this book back in 2013 and I still love it. I hope you will too.

If you grab this New York Times BestSelling Novel for the Bargain price of $3.99, you will understand, within minutes, why the novel Hopeless by Colleen Hoover shot to the top of the New York Times Best Seller List.

Words will spill from the pages and catch in your throat.

I turned page after page with bleary eyes, read late into the night as fear gripped me waiting for the beautiful words to become marred by the ending, they weren’t. Ms. Hoover is a weaver of tales. Once you begin to read, you will follow her as I did, wherever the story goes, because, in Hopeless, she has strewn the path with words too beautiful to miss. Over eight thousand Amazon.com readers agree! Can’t wait to download more of her books.