Favorite Tips

Published on August 18, 2014August 18, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Favorite Tips for writers and bloggers

My email inbox looks like a kids bright, colored star chart. Seems I can’t read just one, of the many wonderful bloggers that pop up daily, without saving the link and assigning it a color-coded star.

Because each tip I read seems better than the last, and who knows, the next newsletter or blog post, might hold the best tip ever to make me a better writer…

In fact, I wrote a post, in this very blog, regarding my weakness.

Does that make me an email hoarder? My fingers trembled over that last word. Hope your computer screen didn’t shake.

So today, before hitting delete, I decided to share a few of my favorites. This post would be too long to list them all. But it’s a great place to save them, other than my inbox.

10 greatest hits from my star spangled gmail inbox:

Copyblogger, “Keep it simple, but not simplistic.”
Brainstorms & Bylines, Summer Market Roundup
Writers Village, Six Mistakes That Even Top Authors Make
Anne R. Allen’s Blog, How to Write for the 21^st Century Reader
Jodie Llewellyn, What words will improve your writing?
Story Fix, A Better way to open your novel
Ash Ambirge Why Your Writing Sucks
The Kill Zone, Where Good Plots Go to Die
The Write Practice, Write a Better Backstory
Janice Hardy’s Fiction University, Five Ways to Kick Your Writing up a Notch

What are some of your favorite links? I’d love to read them.

The Journey Home

Published on August 13, 2014April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

The Journey Home

The morning awakened, as the darkness faded, to the sound of pounding surf. I pulled the Christmas colored shawl tighter, surprised at the warmth of the highland wool, this plaid that provided warmth to my ancestors for generations.

I peered over the cliffs and the first peace I’d felt in years filled my soul. Through the fog, the voices past and present reached out to my spirit.

My heart now renewed strength and my feet with purpose, and as the black dog walks alongside me I turned toward home. There are things to do; Cù Sith you’ll have to wait.

Challenge

I hope you enjoyed my contribution to 100 Word Challenge for Grownups #144.

Writing Practice

As a writer, I beginning to understand that practice is important, so I’m working on trying to do more exercises in the form of quick prompts. 100 WCGU is a fun one to get the creative juices flowing. Join in the fun. Click on the link below.

100 Word Challenge for Grownups #144

…as the black dog walks alongside me…

The Prescription

Published on August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

The Prescription

Marge couldn’t believe he’d written a prescription for walking. A hundred degrees outside and walking was his answer. She stared as the offending script hit the trash can. God, she hated exercise. But, she’d try anything at least once.

When she stepped outside, the unbearable air slipped around her head like a plastic bag. However, she doggedly placed one foot in front of the other, determined to finish a mile. Her only company the damn buzzing, blood sucking mosquitoes.

Marge cursed Doc Ralston as the parched ground crumbled beneath her feet and her ankle snapped. God, she hated exercise.

This was my contribution to the:

100 Word Challenge For Grownups #143

…the parched ground crumbled beneath…

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