magic – Jean's Writing

Are you embarrassed to share?

Published on February 2, 2018February 1, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

Say it loud and proud.

4 magic words, not to be confused with 3 wishes.

I’m writing a book.

But as Fiona Quinn explains, there are 4 words that can magically open windows to information. I’m writing a book.

There are lots of places to get information. You know me, I’m a Google-it nut. But on occasion, you may need the help of a professional. And the best way to get them to open up and share their expertise is these 4 magical words—I’m writing a book.

From now own, I’m not going to be shy about using them. I don’t know about you but I always hesitated when someone asks how I spend my time. But time to put my big girl britches on, square my shoulders and speak out. Never know where these 4 magical words might lead me. Thanks, Fiona!

I’m writing a book.

Guest Post: Four Magic Words by Fiona Quinn

Facts are as important as grammar, and punctuation. So as you go through your editing process, be sure and check the facts. Large and small are important.

Do you have trouble sharing that you’re writing a book?

Have you used experts for advice? How’d that go?

Are you shy about your writing? Why?

I HOPE YOU TAKE A MINUTE AND FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, JUST CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW. I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

How does your writing grow?

Published on November 6, 2014November 6, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

How do you write?

In peace and quiet?

With lots of noise?

From kids and toys?

A minute here a minute there?

Or sit all day and merely stare?

Do your fingers type for hours on end?

Or peck out a word every now and then?

How do you write?

Me? I prefer peace and quiet. When doing dishes give me a Country Music song to get the job done, but as for writing, I need quiet to hear my characters speak. I wish I could write for hours on end, but my life is probably much like yours, so I write when I can. A line here and a line there.

Does the love of words inspire you?

Poetry is one of the most beautiful forms of writing, but as you can see, not my talent. I wish it were. However, words do inspire me. Whether a limerick, headline in a newspaper, spoken by a child or written in a good thriller, I love them all.

Words inspire me when appearing on a blank page, as if by magic, one letter at a time they form a sentence. The sentences soon become paragraphs and before long a story fills the page.

What else would you call it but magic?

Not the magic of secret spells or potions but of stories produced from thin air and plucked from my crowded mind.

The fun part is grasping the words and throwing them at the page. The hard part is rearranging them into an interesting work worthy of a reader’s time. So that’s my goal. To write something worth reading.

Thanks for listening to my rambles today. I need to find some order for all the words floating around in my gray matter. Sometimes a little rambling helps.

Talk to me.

Leave a comment about how you manage to capture words, producing your stories, finding inspiration and keeping the magic alive.

A dream come true

Published on July 11, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

This week’s writing challenge from

Five Sentence Fiction

( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt: Pages

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

Below is my contribution from a WIP:

From the moment she’d lost that first tooth, Lizbeth believed in faeries. Now, the proof lay open in her lap, its pages glowing with letters that shimmered and drawings that sparkled. The air hummed, alive, electric like the coming of a storm. She continued to whisper, watching in awe as the magical words breathed life into the enchanted fey.

One by one their wings fluttered, and unfolding as Monarchs from a flower they stretched lifting from the page.

(excerpt from a WIP)