fiction – Page 30 – Jean's Writing

A = Assembly Required to write a good story

Published on April 1, 2016April 1, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

All I learned about writing from the village of bloggers.

That’s my theme for this A-Z Challenge.

Well, let’s be truthful. No way could I cover everything this amazing community has taught me since I began this journey. But I’m going to try.

A=Assembly Required

That’s the first thing I learned! Just like that bike at Christmas, or a bookcase from Ikea, or writing a book there is always some assembly required.

How many times have we groaned after seeing those dreaded words on a box?

Also, it pays to follow instructions.

Now if anyone knows me at all, they know I’m more of an eyeball-it type of person. Not a read instructions type of person.

I mean come on, with a good saw and hammer I can make anything fit. Who cares if I’ve got an extra screw or two left?

But I’ll admit writing is a bit different. And thanks to so many good writers and bloggers on the world-wide web, I’m getting better every day.

Yes, I’m still more of a pantster but I’m also learning how to structure my scenes better so that the bookcase won’t be lopsided. Nothing worse than having to shove a block under one edge to keep it upright.

So what did I learn about Assembly required, or in writer’s jargon, Structure required?

Assembling a story does not have to dismiss my spontaneity or pantster style of writing.
It’s okay to sit down and just write the first draft.
That structure can be as rigid or as flexible as I want. After all, I’m the author, this is a world of my creation.
Help is available at the end of my keyboard. Reach out and touch someone.
That I must assemble scenes, multiple story lines, and characters into a mosaic of that become the story.
Then let an editor tear it down because I left out a screw or two and then I must reassemble it all over again.

When and if I’ve a beautiful finished and polished manuscript…..

It’s time to assemble the physical book.

Yes, some assembly required to be a writer.

More reading on story structure.

Story Structure in Short Stories

10 Simple Keys to Effective Plot Structure

The Secrets of Story Structure (Complete Series)

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

Writing in the first person can produce amazing results

Published on March 25, 2016March 20, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell41 Comments

Contrary to some critics first person point of view does work. I disagree with those critics (snobs) that argue writing in the first person is a sign of an amateur.

Writing in the first person is my preferred method. I know, I know, I’m not burning up the NYT Best Seller list. Well, not yet but give me time.

But there are many famous, and successful authors that have proved those critics wrong.

Dean Koontz, Saint Odd
Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen
Herman Melville Moby Dick
Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes
Cynthia Swanson, The Bookseller
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

And those are just a few!

I enjoy writing when writing in the first person more than third person and I seem to write better. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because I like to walk in the protagonist’s shoes, see through their eyes and feel what they feel. Age doesn’t matter to me. At least, I hope not.

However, on occasion, when I need distance between myself and the protagonist, I switch to the third person. In this instance, I don’t want to feel what my protagonist is feeling.

If you are like me maybe you need some tips on writing in the first person. I’m always working on improving my craft.

Today I learned a few dos and don’ts of writing in the first person:

Don’t just narrate how the character is feeling, involve the reader with the character’s environment.
Do put the reader in the character’s mind and body. What the character sees and hears so should the reader.
Don’t tell what is seen or heard, avoid words like I saw it puts distance between reader and story.

Do – write small. This has become my new mantra, meaning no detail is too small to develop.
Don’t skip the small stuff, it might prove important later. If not, you can cut it out and leave it on the editing floor.
Do avoid passive narration.
Do catch the reader up on past events up quickly and succinctly. Background of the character is important but no need to drag it out.
Do maintain a variety of self-expression that helps increase a sense that the character is real.
Do make sure the character’s personality is consistent with story background and class.

Want to know where here I got these great tips?

From Bridget over at Now Novel.

Click the link below to read her post for more.

First person narrative: 7 tips for writing great narrators

Which point of view do you prefer to write in?

Do you agree with the critics?

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

Do you think writing a picture book is easy?

Published on March 8, 2016May 2, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell32 Comments

Well, I did!

And was I in for a rude surprise.

Yes, this little picture book was a lot more difficult than I ever imagined.

But I’m getting closer to the finish line.

This little Princess is almost here.

I’m working on covers now.

Coming into the home stretch and shooting for an April launch! Whoo hoo.

Sometimes I’m so naive. I’d really thought this picture book would be easier than my first book, Tryouts for Ben. Boy was I in for a big surprise. I’m beginning to believe, size doesn’t matter. LOL

A book is a book, and the work involved to bring it to readers, no matter their age, is all the same. As a writer, I want to always produce a great product and that takes a lot of time and work. An editor is just as valuable for a children’s book as for a 600 page historical novel.

Concept and idea matters. In fact, I’m learning as with every story I write, everything matters.

If you’re interested in writing a children’s book the following articles may help you get started.

How To Develop Children Story Ideas and Create Picture Books

10 TIPS FOR WRITING CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS

Writing Picture Books for Children

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the cover for my new book.

Too plain? Suggestions?

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

Do you know how to write texting?

Published on March 2, 2016April 30, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell28 Comments

Texting is here to stay.

At least until Apple comes up with the next best thing.

If our stories are to stay current, we need to discuss texting.

Writers need to stay on top of trends and changes, whether they are permanent or fads. Why? Because it dates the story.

I’m discovering more and more the need for research. You may not be writing a historical or technical book, but the need for research is ever-present.

Children’s book? Need to research games they play, books they read or don’t read. Type of clothes they like, yes, even in kids.

YA? Research required not just in slang terms, but clothing, electronics, TV, social media, peer pressure and that’s only the beginning.

Fiction books require research as do non-fiction.

All that brings me to texting. If you want to write a texting scene in your book, research is a must. Start with your phone, that of your kids etc. However, like with most things in the real world, not all translate on to the written page with ease.

And an article by Rachel Ritchey which arrived just when I needed more insight into what other writers were thinking.

As Rachel mentions, writing “text” messaging into a novel is a new concept. Uncharted territory if you will. As strange as an alien planet.

alien-planet-583719_640 — Pixabay Images

So far, there is no standard.

And I’m not sure there could be, a texting conversation between adults is different from those between teenagers. After all, our in-person conversations are different too.

Young adults use emoji, online jargon and abbreviations. Older people are more likely to write out whole sentences. Yep, more research.

On one point I do agree, whichever way you choose to show a text conversation make sure you stay consistent throughout the novel.

Here is a sample of a chapter I’m working on.

Maybe I should try one more time. I tapped the text icon. Nothing new. My last texts stared at me, unanswered. This wasn’t like her. No calls, no texts, nothing. Not since Saturday night.

The music made talking impossible. My head pounded with the base. Midnight even on a Saturday was too late for me to play sister to Cinderella. I needed sleep. I texted Tiff. Her blond curls popped above the crowd, she waved at me and nodded.

12:01 AM

Headache going hm

😦

T2UT

Disappointment, not anger. That was the last time I saw her, grinding against tall, dark and handsome on the dance floor. My head pounding, I’d gone home.

Next day, awake and feeling better after a long hot shower, I texted her, ready to hear all about the good-looking guy and what happened after I left.

9:50 AM

U up yet?

I’d waited until almost noon before sending another. Even Tiff wouldn’t waste a beautiful Sunday afternoon sleeping.

11:50 AM

CM details on last night

2:00 PM

Tiff WRU?

5:00 PM

CM!! WRU???

8:00 PM

GDI answer UR phone!

I’d tried calling several times. Rolled to voicemail again and again. Not like her.