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Did you learn to blog the hard way too?

Published on January 5, 2016January 4, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, I did.

But maybe you had this blog thing all figured out from the very beginning. Not me, I flopped and dangled like a fish on a hook for a couple of years. Yes, years before I found my footing.

I found my way by reading other websites.

Some good, some not so good, and some, well no way did I have that kind of time, but anyway I managed to find something to help me as I stumbled along my way.

First let me say, I’m a writer that blogs. Not a professional blogger.

There is a difference. When I started out I didn’t know there was such a thing as a professional blogger.

I don’t strive to have a 100,000 followers and a bazillion sponsors at Jean’s Writing. Wait I take that back, 100k followers would be okay. But I’d rather write a few good books first. How’s that for clearing up muddy water?

However, I do wish I’d understood all that is involved and required to have a good blog. I admire bloggers and all the work that goes into producing great blogs. The time and creativity to produce day after day good information for their readers is nothing short of amazing.

So to start the New Year off right, here are some tips from my go to blogger JANICE WALD I wish I’d read them in the very beginning. I hope y’all get a gold nugget out of them to make your blogging more successful in 2016.

Happy New Year and happy blogging.

7 Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started Blogging

How to Immediately Make Your Blog Posts Go Viral

How to Find a Wealth of Free Stock Photos

BY JANICE WALD

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What do you think comes first?

Published on January 4, 2016January 2, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

The chicken or the egg?

So what is a writer to do?

Kari Stevenson wrote over at BookFuel.com just why Book Reviews Are Important

She said, “Simply put, if I can’t find a review for a book there is a 99% chance I will not purchase it.” Click on the above link and read why she says as a librarian good reviews are a must have.

First and foremost begin early!

As I mentioned in my last post I failed to market my book before it was published. I didn’t seek reviews before publication. Seek out professional organizations and authors in your genre that might be willing to read your book. But, begin at least 2 months before the launch date. Don’t make my mistakes.

So how to get a review?

Ask your friends to buy and read your book.
Ask them to give an honest review.
Pray, hope, rub your lucky charm for a good review.
Repeat steps 1-3.

Yes, it’s a lot of work. I know, believe me. But I’ve not landed an agent to do the work for me, nor have I the money to hire a marketing agency so I’m plodding along.

Anyone have any good ideas out there for obtaining more reader reviews please share them! We would all love to know your secret.

Additional Reading Tips for Finding Reviewers

Make a list and check it twice.

How to Get Reviews For Your Book (Without Begging, Bribing or Resorting to Subterfuge) by Kimberley Grabas

Tim Grahl give you a form email to help.

HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR BOOK WITH AT LEAST 25+ AMAZON REVIEWS by Tim Grahl

What to say in a book review.

How To Get More Amazon Book Reviews By Jonathan Gunson

Amazon Reviewer Guidelines

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to avoid the taboo in writing

Published on December 28, 2015December 18, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Now let me say right up front, I’m still working on this myself.

Seems I miss the mark more than I hit it, but gotta keep trying. Right?

And as far as the weather, well, we all know how fickle that is. And the writing about it is just as slippery as predicting it.

Weather scenes in writing seem to rank right up there with the taboos in writing as; waking up, looking in a mirror and dreams. But all are a part of the human life experience.

There was no white Christmas for us this year.

However, we got the next best thing. Days warm enough to shoo the children outside plus wonderful sunshine as we dashed from store to store enjoying those after holiday sales.

However, even when it snows, you won’t catch me on a sled unless I’m unconscious and strapped down. I stay on the sidelines taking the pictures.

Same goes for years like this one with mild winter months when the kids like to ride their bikes and zip along on scooters. Nope, won’t find me risking life and limb.

But after a long day of shopping, you might find me in front of a cozy fire, with a spiked mug of something hot and a good book with a satisfied smile. And of course, sore feet. My mind might begin to wander from the book on my Kindle, I’ll stare at the flames and realize I’m itching to write.

Yes, a break is wonderful, but now that the holidays are almost over, New Years still to go, I can’t help but think about getting back into the groove again.

This crazy Texas weather has just about given me whiplash, the temps going from one extreme to the next week after week. Which got me thinking about the big taboo of using weather in writing.

So how do we it effectively, without getting crucified by an editor that is?

I thought the following article very insightful—

Power Your Fiction: Using Weather To Create Mood, Not Clichés By Angela Ackerman

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Do you have a good memory trick?

Published on December 22, 2015December 17, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

This is how mine goes at my house.

One night last week as I was drifting off to sleep a rhyme entered my head and refused to leave.

So instead of letting it go I did what any writer and wife would do. I woke my husband.

“Honey, you asleep?”

“Nah, not anymore. Anything wrong?”

“No, need to tell you something.”

Now I had his full attention. He was expecting a big revelation. Much to his surprise it was this little ditty that was running cycles in my head like a kid hyped up on sugar riding a brand new tricycle.

“Thanks for listening.” I said. “Now I won’t forget it. Good night.”

“Night.”

He didn’t think I heard the chuckle in his voice. But I did and I didn’t mind. Because he had listened to my rambling so that I would remember in the morning. Now that’s a good partner. Talking is the only way I can be halfway assured I will remember in the morning. Talking it out helps cement it in my thoughts.

I’m excited to announce I just sent it off to the editor and to the illustrator. Yay! First phase down.

Thanks Honey!

So how about you. Do you have a technique that helps you remember the ideas that pop into your head during the wee hours of the night?

Do tell!

Look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell and on Facebook at jean.cogdell! And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.