JeansWriting – Page 12 – Jean's Writing

This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.

Published on March 20, 2015March 26, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

It’s damn hard and scary as hell.

Equipment?

That brand new, super fast laptop with all the bells and whistles doesn’t a writer make. Although the salesman swore your book would almost write itself. But you do find it easier to waste time as you are sucked into more and more social media websites. Those dancing cats are funny.

A room to work?

You work like a dog clean out that tiny room the one with the ugly chair and lamp, a years worth of old magazines, tax files and unpacked boxes. Yeah, that room. Now that the old desk shines like new and is free of dust and clutter writing should be a breeze.

Accessories

A small printer sits on the edge, filled with paper at the ready. On the right is a mug from your husband. Writer at work. His idea of being supportive.

A muddled brain…

Late last night your eyes refused to close, your brain refused to quiet and sleep was nowhere to be found. You had enough story ideas for several breakout best-selling novels. Not to mention all the blog posts you could write. Now, as you sit in your new ergonomic chair, your mind goes blank. As blank as the white unlined paper stacked in the printer on your left.

The only thoughts filling your mind now are nagging doubts.

What works for me?

Continue reading “This is what they don’t tell you about becoming a writer.” →

Read for Free, well sort of…

Published on March 12, 2015June 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

I love to get something free and although Kindle Unlimited is $9.99 monthly the number of books borrowed makes the membership a bargain.

I’ve read a lot of wonderful books by Indie and established writers. Of course, also a few not so wonderful but I’m not going to go there. When I download one not to my taste, I just return the book after a few pages. No harm no foul.

Kindle Unlimited is beneficial to readers and writers. Molly Greene, author and blogger gives a great break down on Kindle Unlimited payouts. Although she contends it’s not a lot of dough, I’m impressed and glad to know I’m contributing to the success of writers when I read for free. You can read her blog post here.

I also wanted to share some great reads I’ve found through Kindle Unlimited.

And I rated with 5 stars.

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Winter of Discontent

Published on February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

The Winter of Our Discontent popped in my mind last night as I tossed and turned, trying to fall asleep. I think, now that I’m older I might appreciate John Steinbeck more. While the story didn’t fit my situation, the title spoke volumes. I won’t bother you with the details. I’m sure you’ve had your share of troubles where life was put on hold by circumstances. Things happen and all anyone can do is hold on, going with the flow, hoping not to drown before reaching the end of the rapids. Writing goes to the bottom of your list, once more its in the realm of your dreams.

Everyday my Inbox has been filled with how- to overcome writer’s block in one form or another. Most of them said, just do it. I didn’t have writer’s block. I had life circumstances block. The only fix for that is time. I hit the delete button.

Well, Spring is almost here. My mind is clicking again, and once more, the characters I love are visiting me. Although, I do wish they wouldn’t pick so late at night to visit. I do need my sleep. For the last few days, just as I’m drifting off, they slip into my mind and whisper they want to come out and play. Too bad they’re gone in the morning. But at least with the coming of spring, and the calming of circumstances, they are tiptoeing back into the forefront of my life. It’s good to be back in the groove.

Has life ever pushed you in a ditch?

How did you get your writing groove back?

Cover of "The Winter of Our Discontent" — Cover of The Winter of Our Discontent

Getting Creative

Published on August 28, 2013 by Jean M. Cogdell

Summer is almost over but you’d never know it here in Texas. The heat is still in the triple digits and I have the summer blues. My brain feels like it’s been cooked and turned to molasses. I must not be alone. Seems as if every other email today was regarding a must read book on how to get back to your writing muse. Well I’ve too many books, too little time now and did I mention it’s too damn hot.

Me, I’m all into short cuts. Easier the better. Now don’t go writing to me how nothing worthwhile in life is easy… Did I mention how hot it is here in Dallas?

Now where was I? Oh yeah. While I was reading yet another email, about another great book, I wondered if there might be an easier way to achieve the same results. Oh dear me, see my mind is mush. That was a terrible sentence. Anyway… the book this blogger ask me to consider was a book of prompts. So as my daughter is so fond of saying, I Googled it. And voila! I found quite a few.

But I’m not going to bombard you with them, it’s too damn hot. Here are a couple I liked and I found to be fun. Check them out. Creativity Games.net http://creativitygames.net/creative-writing-prompts, or http://stiobhard.tripod.com/html/javascript/words/writing_prompt_generator.html. Of course you could just Google Writing Prompt Generator and find a different one to your liking.

Here is the four word prompt I used from Creativity Games.net and the results. Have fun and find your Muse.

barrel
pyjamas
clown
decay

I slipped a coat on over my pyjamas and went outside. Some clown had left the barn door open. At the opening I wrinkled my nose at the stench of decay. No one had mucked the stalls in days. The smell grew worse as I neared a large barrel at the back of the barn.