Short story – Page 2 – Jean's Writing

How to Deal With Rejection Syndrome

Published on June 11, 2015June 10, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Fight It Baby!

Ach! Another rejection.

Of course, after I reread the submission, I would’ve rejected the piece myself.

What on earth possessed me?

Oh well, next…

Write, submit, tweak, write, submit, and repeat.

Or something like that.

I recently read a great article that implied women are wimps when it comes to re-submitting.

Ladies – man up!

Submit Like A Man: How Women Writers Can Become More Successful

Stop getting your feelings hurt! Rejections are all subjective. (or so I keep telling myself.) Judges are human after all and need coffee to wake up each morning too. Hmm, unless we are dealing with vampires. Stay on topic Jean.

What I’m trying to say is, caviar is just fish eggs for some people.

So, ladies and gents, submit everywhere again and again.

Because I’m beginning to believe getting published is as much a numbers game as a game of talent.

Have you been rejected lately? How did you deal with it? Did you resubmit right away or wait awhile?

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals tell me what you think. If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

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….

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Reading the Short Story

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Okay, is that enough to get the juices flowing?

No? Then watch a pro – Steven King.

Time to start clicking those keys. Happy writing!

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!

Anatomy of a Best-Selling Story—Structure Part One

Published on May 6, 2015May 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Prose is not a novel. Kristen Lamb explains why we can write lovely vignettes but fall short completing a 80-100,000 word novel. Can’t wait for the next helpful post.

Kristen Lamb's Blog

Structure Matters

Writers must understand structure if they hope to be successful. Yes, it might take five years to finish the first novel, but if we land a three book deal, we don’t have 15 years to turn in our books. Also, in the new paradigm of publishing, writers who produce more content have greater odds of making money at this writing thing.

Understanding structure helps us become faster, cleaner, better writers. Structure is essential to all stories, from screenplays to novels to epic space operas.

Plotters tend to do better with structure, but even pantsers (those writers who write by the seat of their pants) NEED to understand structure or revisions will be HELL. Structure is one of those boring topics like finance or taxes. It isn’t nearly as glamorous as creating characters or reading about ways to unleash our creative energy.