To Edit or not To Edit

Published on September 8, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Cartoon man erasing a document. A vector illus... — http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/165814011

Thank you readers! You are so gracious and you make me want to do better.

I'm my own worst critic. I write, edit, rewrite, edit and chase my tail.

Post, edit, rewrite, post, edit... Well you get the idea.

Can’t seem to help myself. I tweak my writing over and over sometimes to distraction.

However, I do think with each change I learn something about myself and my writing. Good or bad to be determined.

For me, writing is a journey of learning, failing, and tiny successes. One day, who knows maybe a big success or two. But what would a journey be without nice traveling companions. Because let’s face it, sending our words out into the world for all to see, read and possibly tear apart is just plain scary.

So I thank each and every one of you guys for nudging me along with your words of encouragement and kind critiques.

Below is a revision from last weeks Five Sentence Fiction: Darkness I couldn’t leave this piece alone to save my life. LOL

Let me know if you think my tweaking helped or hurt.

Tell me how many times do you write and rewrite a blog post, or WIP?

Do you learn from the process or become more frustrated?

Walking After Midnight

Clouds filled the sky, hiding the moon as dense fog lifted from the forest floor hiding my steps.

My heart fluttered in relief as tiny flickering lights appeared illuminating a narrow path. They twirled and danced, leading me toward an archway formed by low hanging limbs, and I hoped against hope, I’d found an exit.

One by one, with a final wink the lights passed through the passageway. I groped like a child waking in the night, and I stood once more blind, lost in the darkness wishing for faeries.

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5 Draft Method

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Walking after Midnight

Published on September 5, 2014February 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Walking after Midnight

Clouds filled the sky, hiding the moon as a dense fog lifted from the forest floor.

My heart filled with relief as tiny flickering lights appeared illuminating the narrow path.

They twirled and danced, leading me to an archway formed by low hanging limbs an archway I hoped was an exit from the forest.

One by one, with a final wink the lights passed through the archway.

I groped like a child waking in the night, as I stood once more blind and lost in the darkness wishing for faeries.

FSFdark-darkness-girl-light-lost-Favim.com-118417 — Source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/five-sentence-fiction-darkness/ Reuse license assumed.

If you’d like to join in the fun with Lillie McFerrin Writes click on the link Five Sentence Fiction.

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week she will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s word: DARKNESS

What is it good for?

Published on September 2, 2014April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Absolutely Nothing

The newscaster ducked, his words lost amid the rocket blasts.

I hit rewind and watched as desert instead of jungles filled the screen.

Decades past, still they die and still I miss you.

So much lost, so little gained, all for nothing but heartache and pain. War.

If you’d like to join in the fun with Lillie McFerrin Writes click on the link Five Sentence Fiction.

This week’s word: CONFLICT

Waltz Across Texas

Published on August 2, 2014August 2, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Waltz Across Texas

I’d never planned to stop dancing to the music. The music I loved, but life happened.

A whiff of sawdust, the twang of a guitar or the taste of a cold beer and I’d long for another place another time. Long to recapture that which was lost, but I’d waited too late.

Or so I’d thought, until last night when in your arms, safe and secure, the years fell away, music filled the air and we waltzed across time.

This was my contribution to Lillie McFerrin Writes Five Sentence Fiction

Five Sentence Fiction – Secure

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s word: SECURE