Tag: fiction

Do you know how to give away your book for FREE?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, I didn’t either until today.

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Kindle Edition : “free kindle books”

But a big thanks goes out to fellow bloggers the big Ape and   for sending out much-needed information. A post – Molly Greene’s Advice on Going Permafree on Amazon.

Most of us have a WIP and one day may want to make it FREE for a day. But if you’re like me the process has baffled me.

A short while back, my friend Charles E. Yallowitz decided to make the first book of his fantasy Legends of Windemere series permafree. This is something I’ve been considering myself, but I&#… Continue reading–

Source: Molly Greene’s Advice on Going Permafree on Amazon

Molly discovered the process when she wanted to make Mark of the Loon free.

Here is a breakdown of the steps:

  • Log into Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
  • Click the “Help” tab in the upper right-hand corner.
  • On the left menu, scroll to the bottom and click “Contact us.”
  • Again, left menu, click “Getting Started.”
  • Then click “Pricing Your Book.” (One of the “Answers to common questions” options under this category is “what is price matching.” That link will take you to Amazon’s policy page.)
  • Under “ask your question here,” use the subject line: Price Matching. In the body of the message, include the title and ASIN of the book, plus links to retail sites where it is currently free: iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords, whatever. Tell them you’re running a free promo and you need Amazon to price match.

The NEW Easy Way To Go FREE On Amazon  by Molly Greene @mollygreene

Now I don’t know about you but this seems all a bit convoluted. Before long I expect a few more hurdles will be added, such as:

  • Use starter pistol at “Starting Point”
  • Hop on one foot as you log on
  • Scream bloody murder when clicking on “help” key

So what do y’all think?

Have you succeeded in offering a book for FREE?

Will you in the future?

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.

Should you write a fancy outline for your novel?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell23 Comments

Maybe- Maybe not.

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It’s your book, you make the rules.

Different strokes for different folks. Me, I’m trying to be more organized in my writing this year. Only time will tell if I’m successful. LOL

However, I find outlining is a bit of a mystery. spirit-1272923_640

Outlining an unwritten book is weird because you don’t know what will happen. It’s not the same as outlining a book read for a class assignment. No the formal process of outlining a book idea is as foreign to me as Spanish or French. I know just enough to embarrass myself.

Last week I announced to my friend, with much excitement,  I’d finished outlining my first novel. I was stumped for a second when she asked me how many levels I used. Huh? Levels? Like in… I, A, 1, a, ii….

None. Nada, zip. I didn’t use any. Instead, I let the story unfold in my head and then put it to paper one scene at a time. 1-30.

Late at night, I lay in bed and the characters drove me nuts until I added another scene to the list. That’s how I outlined. Nothing fancy. Just one paragraph at a time. Also known as the headlight method.

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Today, outlines are much more fluid than the rigid things we studied  in school many moons ago. In fact, if you Google how to outline a novel you’ll find just about as many ideas on outlines as stories on the latest TV personality.

Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you make the whole trip that way.

E.L. Doctrow

Take your pick. Old school (traditional), Synopsis, Scrivener, Snowflake, Headlight method (yeah some weird names), Mind mapping, Sticky notes, Scratch pads, 3 acts, and the list goes on. Don’t let the idea of making an outline intimidate you. If you want to try just pick what works for you and run with it.

However if you just want a guideline to keep you from driving off in a ditch you might try my idea.

  • First: Open up your program, whichever you choose to use. Scrivener or Word, list your chapters, and then let the story begin to play in your head.
  • Next: Begin to write brief notes about what will happen.
  • Then: Step through each numbered chapter until you reach the end.
  • Now you’re ready to let your freak fly!
  • Go to the beginning and start writing. Use the numbered paragraphs as a map for when you get lost or veer too far off the path.

Do you outline?

What type of outlines do you use?

Or are you a pantster?

Keep reading – Great articles at the bottom of the post!

I’d love to hear from you! Click the write me tab or contact me onTwitter @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 Facebook fans.

How to Outline a Novel- The Headlight Method

Outline Your Novel in Thiry Minutes

PLANNING TO OUTLINE YOUR NOVEL? DON’T

How to Outline a Novel (Even If You’re Not an Outliner)

Plot outline creation: 7 smart methods

Thanks for keeping me on my toes

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Today’s thank you goes to John Maberry, gentleman from N. VA, author, lawyer, and former government employee. Let’s not hold the last two against him. I’m sure those experiences are good fodder for a writer.

John pointed out that I left a few important tidbits in my post about the new Amazon “Instant Preview” for books.

Oops! He’s right and I’m sorry.

Here’s what I forgot to mention.

1. You can earn additional money.

Add your Amazon Associates ID  to your book preview and you earn advertising fees. You read that right!

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Once you plug-in your Amazon Associates ID, you’ll see Link updated with ID under the box. So make sure you sign up and add your ID to the link. Every little bit helps!

2. This works on all ebooks.

Not just Kindle Unlimited. Tryouts for Ben is not listed with KU but when you click on this link, viola an “Instant Preview” opens. Wow!

3. Add your Associates ID to any book you “imbed.”

That’s right, you will receive advertising fees for helping out fellow authors. Writing a book review, add an “Instant Preview” with your ID and share the love!waiting westmoreland

 

Tell me, have you signed up for an Associates ID?

Do you remember to use it?

Big thanks to John for the heads up! Y’all stop by John Maberry’s Writing Website and say hey. Tell him Jean sent you.

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me 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 FacebookFacebook fans.

 

Do you want to add one more to your tool bag?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

One more social media tool?

Are you ready to go live with Blab?

Now that you’ve stopped laughing, I’m serious. It’s called BLAB. Yeah, it’s new to me too.

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If I understand it, BLAB works a little like an interactive YouTube.

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But this is a place you can listen, watch and ask questions live. Get that burning question from a writer, or maybe someone with a speciality you need for your book answered. Now there’s an idea.

One thing! If you decide to participate, check your background. Hide the dirty dishes, and turn down the music. Or, and in my case, I will need to put on a little makeup, most days I don’t wear any. When I’m writing my characters don’t care.

Ways a Writer Can Use Blab

  1. Use the search feature and find other authors and learn about writing and publishing.
  2. Follow your favorites and receive notification when they schedule new Blabs.
  3. Network with other authors.
  4. Discover topics on self-publishing, editing, book covers, agents, sales, and marketing.
  5. Find readers interested in your books.

For more information about using BLAB read–

Book Marketing: How, Why and When to Use Blab – and What is Blab, Anyway? by

What do you think?

Is this a new tool you will use?

Or is this another time sucker?

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