fiction – Page 29 – Jean's Writing

How to write a good story

Published on April 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Or tell a good story–

What’s the difference?

One makes you a writer the other is…

My letter for the A-Z Challenge

S= Storytelling

To me telling a story is easier than writing one. And because I enjoyed telling stories I thought writing stories would be a cinch.

Well, I’ve learned the joke was on me.

Yep, after reading the many great writers and bloggers floating around on the web, I realized how little I knew about writing.

I wasn’t even sure I understood the English language. Somewhere I evidently missed a class or a dozen.

At least, Y’all weren’t into shaming and finger-pointing. Instead, you stepped up, taught and encouraged me as well as any other writer who asked for help.

So what did I learn about storytelling?

Telling a story is easier than writing a story. Telling a ghost story as you sit around a campfire is different that writing a ghost story on paper. For one thing, it’s harder to scare the pee out of a group of third graders without a flashlight.
I gotta have a theme. But leave the preaching the Reverend at First Baptist. If my readers want a sermon, they’ll attend church not read my book.
A good plot equals good action. However, that doesn’t mean I need to blow the hell out of everybody that doesn’t get shot. Just means a story needs to move forward and wrap up satisfactorily .
Know my characters – intimately. So much so, that by the time my book is ready for publication I’m sick of them. Why? Because if I don’t know and understand my characters, how can I expect the readers to understand them?
I better know what the hell I’m writing about, and where the story is going, especially if I want to explain these things to my reader.

One last thing.

If you enjoy listening to books on tape check out these online Storytelling blogs as a way to get back in touch with the art of storytelling.

Story Teller

Do you find telling the story easier than writing the story down?

Do you think there is a difference in storytelling and writing a story?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Below are links to read more tips on better reading your way to better writing.

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

For Tips on how to write that story better check out these writers:

Short Story Tips: 10 Ways to Improve Your Creative Writing by Dennis Jerz and Kathy Kennedy

What Makes a Good Story? By Aaron Shepard

Want to Improve Your Writing Skills? 5 Fun Storytelling Exercises to Try By Marian Schembari

Do you worry about stealing someones writing?

Published on April 22, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

No need if you take the proper precautions.

Like the tortoise, I’m still plodding along. And for the

A-Z Challenge letter P I’ve chosen

P = Plagiarism

In the words of every kindergarten teacher, “It’s not nice to take what doesn’t belong to you.”

Plagiarism_is_Bad

We’ve heard those words from the time we’ve toddled around on unsteady legs and yet many writers are tempted.

Why?

Because it’s hard to write something old, to make it fresh and new again. Every story line has been written, every plot told and every secret revealed, somewhere by someone. If it were easy, everyone would write a best-selling novel.

Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as:

A noun:

An act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author’s work as one’s own, as by not re-editing the original author:

Synonyms: appropriation, infringement, piracy, counterfeiting; theft, borrowing, cribbing, passing off.

A piece of writing or other work reflecting such unauthorized use or imitation.

Whether writing fiction or a research paper, it’s important to avoid copying someone else’s work and fail to give due credit.

Learn to paraphrase and rewrite in your own words. If you must quote, use proper quotes and cite the author and/or publication. Remember, no one likes to be misquoted, and no one likes a thief.

What do you think? In this day of self-publishing is plagiarism becoming more of a problem?

Or less, due to all the tools available to writers?

Do you have a favorite program? My favorite go-to program to avoid this scourge is Grammarly.com.

I’ve listed a few more links for tools to help at the bottom, keep reading.

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

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

6 Ways to Avoid Plagiarism in Research Papers at Write Check

http://smallseotools.com/plagiarism-checker/

http://www.plagiarism.org/

http://plagiarisma.net/

Want to know how to market that kick-ass book?

Published on April 15, 2016April 14, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

Today’s letter in the A-Z Challenge M.

M = Marketing

I had a hard time deciding which word to choose. Writing is filled with lots of M words. Midpoint, a big problem for me and lots of writers. Muse, real or mythical? Major and minor characters. Well, you get the point.

Me too! That’s why I choose the word marketing.

Because I’m terrible at selling. And maybe I’m not the only one who wants to know how to succeed at marketing my books.

We struggle to write a story, novel or in my case a children’s book and then what? Whether the author goes the traditional or self-publish route, marketing is a big issue.

Here’s what I’ve learned this past year about marketing.

Writing a kick ass story does not make the world beat a path to your Amazon page.
Writers need to promote their own books.
Write a good logline and elevator pitch. Be ready to spill it at every opportunity.
Develop an online platform.
Make your book easy to find and easy to buy.
Keep links current.
Write articles that tie your book to current popular interests.
Stay involved in Social Media. I know it’s time-consuming but a must.
Create a press release and submit locally and online.
Submit your book for pre-release reviews.
Have a launch party.
Talk to any and everyone about your book.

Did I do all of this? No. Like I said I’m not very good at this marketing stuff. But I’m trying to get better.

What tips and tricks did you use to market your book?

Did they work?

Are you good at marketing your own work? Or are you like me and struggle tooting your own horn?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

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

Want to know more, click the links below.

20+ Free Press Release Distribution Sites

71 Ways to Promote and Market Your Book by Kimberley Grabas

How to Market a Self-Published Book by Paul Jarvis

How to find a good idea for your story

Published on April 11, 2016April 10, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell11 Comments

Write, write and write some more.

Write about what? Everything.

Today’s letter in the A-Z Challenge I.

I= Ideas

Everyone wants to know where writers find their ideas.

idea-1289871_640

For me, the good ideas come few and far between. They appear with a flash or spark, and if I fail to latch on to them, they are gone just as fast.

Many of my stories come from word-play or prompts. There are lots of writing prompts available and believe it or not they work.

The idea for my first children’s book, Tryouts for Ben, came about because of a comment. Kids do say the darndest things.

And the idea for my second book due out soon came about the same way. As a mother of two amazing girls, we encouraged them to be all they could be. One day I overheard my daughter, telling her daughter she could be anything she wanted.

As a result of that conversation, A Most Reluctant Princess was born.

What have I learned from y’all about finding writing ideas?

Story ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere!

News story
Daydreaming
Passing comment
Book or movie
Memory
Prayer
Picture, photo, or painting
Writing prompt
Contest or challenge
Dream
Sunset or breathtaking view

The list could go on and on, but the trick is to recognize an idea. Often my ideas come in tiny seedlings and requires a lot of nurturing for it to grow.

The more you write, the more ideas you will find.

So, you grab an idea but what comes next?

You add a character, a place, and a theme. Then like playing with Legos, begin to build your idea into a story.

The hard part is taking this tiny idea and enlarging it to appeal to someone other than myself. Not everyone gets my sense of humor or sarcasm. So, if I want others to read what I’ve written, I must broaden the story to reach my target audience.

Remember-

There is nothing new under the sun. No new ideas. But, you can put a new spin on an old idea. Make it yours.

Where did you find your last idea?

Did that idea turn into a story?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

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