JeansWriting – Page 2 – Jean's Writing

How to Manage Scenes in a Novel—Structure Part 8

Published on May 28, 2015May 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Read, study this awesome blogger. Kristen is a wealth of information for all of us writers. Here is Part 8 to help with writing the perfect scene.

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

Kristen Lamb's Blog

And….ACTION!

As a fiction author, you will often feel like an acrobat spinning plates while standing on your head and juggling fiery chainsaws. There are so many components to keep track of, lest you end up down the Bunny Trail of No Return. Organization is key when it comes to being a successful novelist.

Before we continue, if you want better odds of winning my 20 page critique at the end of the month, I am running a separately drawn contest over on my Dojo Diva blog where I am talking about why everyone (but especially females) needs at least some basic self-defense training. Comments count for one entry. Comments with a hyperlink count for two. And you get to learn about beating up bad people.

Moving on…

We have spent the past few weeks studying the fundamentals of what makes up a novel, and today we are going to discuss…

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Why not turn that novel into a short story?

Published on May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

May is almost over and so is National Short Story Month.

Did you submit a short story? Wish I’d spent my time on NSSM instead of reading, studying and ripping my current work in progress (WIP) apart. Now I’m considering just burying it in the back of my closet and denying its existence.

Is Your Idea a Short Story or Novel?

Makes me wonder if my “novel” be better as a short story???

There are three days left in National Short Story Month. Three days, hmm. Not sure I can write something worth reading in three days.

No, let me revise that statement. I can write something, but getting it ready for prime time is the challenge.

Ding, ding, ding! Light bulb moment. Why not try? I love a challenge. What about you?

Did you submit a short story for the month of May frenzy?

Do tell. And do share any success stories.

Maybe it’s too late to get in those submissions for National Short Story Month but it’s never too late for inspiration to strike.

On Twitter check out #ShortReads or #shortstorymonth for a list of people, places and stories. And follow @ShortStoryMonth for more….

FREE contest Alternating Current (There’s still time!)

The Fiction Desk (There’s still time!)

Every Writer Magazine

Fiction Writers Review

Story A Day

Every Day Fiction

Flash Fiction On Line

The Stoneslide Corrective

Nano Fiction

Reading the Short Story

Flavor Wire

Get a FREE trial subscription to Found Press.

Okay, is that enough to get the juices flowing?

No? Then watch a pro – Steven King.

Time to start clicking those keys. Happy writing!

Read How To Think Like A Publisher

Published on May 27, 2015May 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Hmm, think like a publisher.

Thanks to Writers on the Move for pointing me to the Writings and Opinions of Dean Wesley Smith.

On his website you can read his book Think Like A Publisher 2015, chapter by chapter.

Also, Killing the Top Sacred Cows of Publishing and Indie Publishing.

And this bonus, chapter one of his third book, Killing Even More Sacred Cows of Indie Publishing.

I can’t wait to start reading!

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

Writers Submit Your Crime Thriller To New Short Story Competition

Published on May 26, 2015May 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Okay, all you crime and thriller writers, dust off those manuscripts until they are bright and shiny.

No Exit Press New Short Story Writing Competition is now open for entries.

Chris over at The Story Reading Ape’s Blog shared a link from Bridget Whelan, Writer’s blog where she explained how Oldcastle Books plans to celebrate it’s 30th birthday. The publisher has set up a new short story competition for its crime fiction imprint, No Exit Press.

So now I’m sharing with my readers. Head over and start entering for a chance to win. Submission period is: 25 May – 22 June.

Do you know of any upcoming contests or submission requests my readers might be interested in? As always, I love your comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!