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Are you up for a challenge this year?

Published on January 11, 2016January 7, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell27 Comments

To Pay-it-Forward!

How?

The next post that pops up in your inbox, after you read it, share it in some way, with someone. That’s how you pay-it-forward.

Instead of going immediately to the next blogger, pause and take the next step.

Do you realize how valuable that next step is to the writer?

If you are a blogger and writer then you understand where I’m headed.

It’s a simple click! A second of your time.

We are all busy. Very busy. With kids, family, pets, bills, and life in general tugging at our shirt tails. On top of that is a muse whispering in our ear, nagging at us to come and play. And still we make the time to support each other.

Writers, and bloggers, are marvelous people.

So the next time you read a post and are tempted to hurry on to the next one, I challenge you to take a minute and Pay-it-Forward. Share someones website.

What goes around comes around.

Good Karma will find its way back to you when another writer Tweets your website to the world.

Step 1: Read (time depends on your reading speed)
Step 2: Click Buttons – Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Google Plus, PINIT, Linked In, Stumbleupon, Email, or whatever (takes seconds each)

Need some share buttons for your website? It’s easy!

Use WordPress.com?

Go to WP Admin, Settings, Sharing: select which buttons you want and where. Easy, peasey.

Or check out this web site at Share This!

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How important is it to stay connected?

Published on December 16, 2015December 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

I heard a very successful writer and blogger say that he attributed his success to staying connected.

Well, isn’t that a lightning flash revelation? Not.

Staying connected can be fun, informative, but also a time suck. I often use it as an excuse I can ignore the house, the dog and my characters. After all the Queen isn’t showing up for a white glove inspection this week and my characters haven’t been very cooperative as of late, so I might as well play on the world-wide web. Right?

I mean laughing at the latest Meme on Facebook, or reading a cool short story post, is a lot more fun than cleaning toilets or arguing with a stubborn protagonist.

Sigh… Now don’t go sounding like a mom. I know, I know. Company is coming – Santa is near so I and there are presents to buy and packages to wrap, not to mention a character to kill. So little time and so much to do.

What is that old Nike commercial? Something like for the love of God just do it! No that doesn’t sound quite right.

But you get the idea. Sorry for the gripe post. Sometimes it helps. LOL

Okay, time for me to get busy and find where my characters are hiding. Olie, olie, oxen free….

Ever overwhelmed? How do you deal?

Got any tips for me?

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS:

I was actually pretty productive this week. This is me patting myself on the back.

Do you know how to get permission?

Published on December 8, 2015December 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Music inspires the soul.

But let me tell you, getting permission can get complicated.

I am a big Country Western Music fan, but to be truthful, I enjoy all music, from Rap, Hip Hop, Country to Classical. One of my favorite memories is of the radio always on and always filling our house with music.

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A good song is just a story set to music which often spurs on a thought and then that thought blooms into another story. At least that’s how it works for me.

Which is why I found David Hewson‘s article regarding song lyrics so enlightening. Read for yourself… Click HERE.

I once wrote a flash fiction piece where I used a line from an old hymn. The piece called Precious Memories. The piece was long listed on a couple of contests and got great reviews. However, I’ve yet to publish it. After reading this article I did a lot of research and think I’m in the clear. Whew! Close one.

Let me tell you, I’ll follow Mr. Hewson’s advice and avoid song lyrics from now on.

How about you? Have you ever used a song for inspiration? Ever used the lyrics in a story?

Does give one pause, doesn’t it.

In addition to doing the usual Google search, you might find this Public Copyright site useful.

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell!

Please pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to find the right theme

Published on December 3, 2015December 2, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

What do you want your reader to get from your story?

What is your theme?

Do you know the idea, insight or lesson that you want to convey?

Is your theme universal? Will it work for a different story?

Can the them apply to me, you or anyone?

Theme is a message, a proverb, and is all inclusive.

Will one of these proverbs fit the story you’re writing?

The 50 most important English proverbs.

The subject of your book might be love, friendship, wisdom, or hate, but you still need a universal theme that expresses the subject.

Check out this list of proverbs by subject.

Not enough? How about 101 English proverbs?

Maybe you’re wondering why I’m talking about all these various themes. Well, I’ve been reading a great book on story plot and apparently theme is important to the plot.

Plot Perfect by Paula Munier

Ms. Munier gives step by step charts and explanation on how to find your universal theme.

I highly recommend her book to help you develop richer characters as well as a deep plot connected with subplots.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Let’s learn the latest writing tips together, and join on Twitter @jeancogdell and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.