fiction – Page 41 – Jean's Writing

My 5 Star Friday Recommendation is Something Different

Published on May 1, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

This is not my usual genre, if you’ve read some of my recommendations you understand. I’m more of an intense, thriller kinda girl. However, like pacing in good writing, on occasion I need to switch genres and slow down my pace in reading.

To be honest, I chose this particular book because of my love for quilting. Until my fingers stopped cooperating, I loved to quilt and enjoyed teaching my girls how to make a memories through the art. However, this book isn’t about quilting. It’s a heartwarming story about strong women and their successes, failures, their loves and losses living in a small Texas town.

Strong women are not exclusive to Texas.

Throughout time women everywhere have done, and still do, what needed to get the job done and protect their families. Ms. Bostwick tells the story of these women with a large dose of humor and charm.

I found this a quick and easy read. Sorta like tubing down the Guadalupe on a hot Saturday afternoon enjoying the scenery and fun with friends. Afterward arriving home a little tipsy, tired, and sunburned, but none the worse for wear. 5gold-star3

So with the satisfied feeling of someone who just got home from vacation, I give Between Heaven and Texas 5 stars.

So if you enjoy books by authors like Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, or Sherryl Woods I think you’ll enjoy

Between Heaven and Texas (Cobbled Court Quilts Book 6) by Marie Bostwick.

Kindle Price:	$2.51
Kindle Unlimited:	Free

Celebrating the finish line

Published on April 29, 2015April 29, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

`Z = Zero`

Zero, none and done.

It’s the Zero-hour, and here we are at the end.

We all made it to the finish. I’m so glad I participated. Had I missed this challenge I would’ve missed meeting so many great people. Because of this challenge I wrote with more discipline to meet my goals. Fingers crossed I’ve formed a new writing habit.

I hope we see each other again and often after we’ve finished the 2015, A to Z Challenge. I’ve clicked to follow many of your blogs and look forward to seeing your names in my inbox.

So here is the last segment of Rachel and who knows with my new found writing routines I might even finish the book. Thank you for all your kind comments and encouragement.

Rachel leaned forward, her cell phone pressed to the windshield. A soft sigh escaped when she read the words No Signal.

“So what’s your story, Jase?”

Jase stared for a second and then a slow smile crinkled on his tanned face.

“Well, we can listen to a radio playing more static than Garth Brooks or we can talk?” Rachel said, “We could start with what does Jase stands for?”

He reached forward and silenced the radio. “Jason Cole Branson at your service Officer.” He answered with a wink.

God, he was one cocky cowboys. At least she hoped that was his worst fault.

“Okay, tell me a little bit about Jason Cole Branson.”

He leaned across Rachel his right arm stretching toward the glove compartment.

“Whoa, what’re you doing?” She said.

Her hand slid to her belt comforted by the sidearm.

“Hold on, don’t go getting all excited. I’m not going to pull anything.” He said.

Jase shook his head in disbelief at this trigger happy woman. “You wanted to know who I am, well here.”

He tossed the leather wallet in her lap and slammed the compartment closed.

“You’re a sheriff?”

“Yes Ma’am, and if you’ll tell me what’s going on maybe I can help.”

For the first time all day Rachel felt relief. She wasn’t riding off into the sunset with some crazed maniac, but another fellow officer of the law.

Leaning back against the passenger door, she relaxed and began talking. Who knows, maybe she could use his help. At least his blue eyes and good looks would make for pleasant company.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Remember it’s your writing, be true to yourself

Published on April 29, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Y= Yours

Heading down the home stretch. Almost there, I think I can….

This is more a reminder than a writing tip.

A reminder to myself that what I write is mine and what you write is yours.

Your story, your theme, your novel, your draft, your characters, or your blog.

Everything you write is a part of you and is yours.

Be true to yourself.

I learn something new almost every day from great bloggers and writers. I work and strive to polish my writing into something worth reading, welcoming constructive criticism. Everyone loves to hear how their WIP is wonderful but no one wants to hear the bad. However, we need both.

Critiques are helpful, just remember the end product is yours. Don’t let anyone take and remake your baby into another writer’s vision.

Find someone you trust to beta read your work. Take their suggestions and apply what you want.

Always remember…

Good or bad, freaky or fabulous, beautiful or ugly, the writing is yours.

What’s happening to Rachel?

As his right hand brushed the hair from her eyes, his left reached toward the floor. Rachel’s sidearm pointed at his belt buckle before his hand cleared the leather seat.

“I wouldn’t.” She said.

“Whoa, I was just gonna get for a napkin or something.” He said.

Sure enough, he pulled a handful of Dairy Queen napkins from under the seat. He was quick thinking, she’d give him that, but his gun lay too close for comfort. Her gut said not to believe him, not for a minute.

“That’s right gentlemanly.” Rachel said, “But I’d leave that Colt on the floor where it fell.”

She took a napkin and blotted at the cut above her right eye.

“Now why don’t you explain what the hell just happened.”

“A damn pothole back there did a number on my front tire. I pulled off too fast. Think we got a flat.” He said.

The cab filled with hot air when he opened the driver’s side door. Rachel flipped down the visor to inspect the damage to her head. The cut didn’t look too bad, but she’d have a shiner tomorrow. One more thing for the guys back at the office to tease her about. The bleeding seemed to subside to a trickle, so maybe she could avoid stitches. Rachel opened her door and went in search of a snake in Levi’s.

They both stared at the front flat tire. He kicked it, muttered a few curse words and walked to the back of the truck. Jase stripped off his chambray shirt and laid it on the back seat of the extended cab.

“Will it take long?” Rachel followed him to the tailgate.

He didn’t even bother to answer, just manhandled the tires as if they were a child’s swim ring. She couldn’t help but be impressed with the muscles straining against his white tee-shirt.

Rachel was relieved changing the tire didn’t take as long as she feared. After buttoning his blue shirt, Jase tossed her a bottle of water from a small cooler.

“You’ve got a cooler? With water?”

“Yep.”

Jase drank the cold water down in one gulp.

“You gonna drink that or play with it?” He asks before tossing his empty into the floor.

It tasted amazing. God, she was so thirsty. Rachel didn’t understand why he hadn’t offered her water earlier. She couldn’t figure him out, but she would. They still had a ways to go. She checked for a phone signal. None.

No other options for miles, she climbed in the truck.

Below are some great links to help with your WIP:

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-write-prize-worthy-short-story.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2015/04/strenthen-your-theme-revision-part-3.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritersOnTheMove+%28Writers+On+The+Move%29

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/04/critiques-4-u-april-edition/

http://writeonsisters.com/writing-craft/4-tips-for-revamping-tired-sentences/

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Do you struggle writing the perfect love scene?

Published on April 28, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

X = X-rated Writing

I thought about X –marks the spot but chose X-rated because I struggle with writing sex and love scenes.

As a writer we can publish anything on the internet. There are no internet police. However, as I’m sure you’ve learned already publishing is another thing.

Naught or Nice?

Good writing, in my opinion, comes in all sizes.

Yes, even X-rated. The key phrase is good writing.

Good taste is subjective but good writing is not.

I try to choose my words with care. Because there is a difference between words that are graphic, explicit, dirty, sexy, suggested or imaginative.

I don’t think we should worry about offending, but need to strive to get the words right. Words and phrases that match the character and hook the reader. Does the character need a little spice in their life that’s the question and most times the answer is yes.

Writing great sex scenes, even X-rated, is an art just like writing great murder scenes. Both should be filled with mystery. Too much blood and gore in a murder can turn some readers off too.

As a Reader, I love to use my imagination and too much explicit detail can be a turn off. Think about all of those bodice ripping novel that fly off the shelves.

So tell me, how do you write your X-rated scenes?

Lots of details or lots of imagination?

Leave me some tips and help in the comments section. I need all I can get to let my freak fly.

Rachel’s Saga continues:

The cool air from the A/C felt wonderful. Rachel began to relax as soulful songs of love and betrayal filled the truck.

“Feel better?”

She jerked toward the driver. “Uh, yes, thank you. I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” She asks.

“Didn’t. But people call me Jase.”

His eyes roamed from her face to the sweat stains. She pulled the white cotton shirt separating it from her skin.

“Were you walking in this heat long?” He asks.

“No, not too long.”

“You’re lucky I came along.”

He smiled and stretched his right arm across the back of her seat.

“No telling how long it’d would’ve been for somebody else stopped.” He said.

Rachel didn’t bother to respond. She needed to keep her wits and watch this snake. Rattlers weren’t the only ones that could strike when you least expected.

The truck hit a pothole and began to swerve. Rachel’s head hit the passenger window. They slid off the shoulder, gravel pinging the fenders as they came to a jarring stop her head slammed again and her vision blurred as blood dripped in her eye.

“You okay Darling? Didn’t mean to pull off so fast. Here, let me see.”

His arm reached for her.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!