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How did you do in this year’s race?

Published on November 30, 2015November 29, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

The November race to the finish!

Congratulations to all of you who ran and finished the NaNoWriMo race.

This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but well, shit happens as does the holidays.

However, I so admire all of those who not only attempted, but finished over 50,000 words in just 30 days.

Wow! Way to go everyone!

Some think it’s an amazing exercise in productivity. Others like LAURA MILLER over at Salon.com thinks it’s a waste of time and energy. She contends that the writer will be disappointed in the quality of what is produced.

Ellen Scott for Metro.co.uk wrote 27 things every NaNoWriMo writer needs to know.

Hmm, maybe next year I’ll… Nope, probably won’t happen.

So have there been NaNoWriMo successes? You bet!

Ellen Scott for Metro.co.uk also lists 7 successful NaNoWriMo projects that went on to become NYT Best Sellers.

And some of my favorite books too! Like Wool, Cinder, and Water for Elephants.

Hmm, maybe I’ll think about next year.

So what about you? Did you participate in NaNoWriMo this year? How did it go? Are you happy with what you produced?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Leave a comment and tell us all about your NaNoWriMo writing experience, or why you chose not to participate.

Join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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How to ask the right questions

Published on November 27, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

As a writer, I’m discovering more and more the importance of asking the right questions.

The questions are how we find good ideas for our writing. Questions make us work to think of answers.

I’m always on the lookout for more ways I can improve as a writer. Ways I can find incorporate good ideas in my writing.

On Wednesday, I gave you a link to a question that might spark the old brain cells. Robin Oliver suggested you ask the question “I am often asked…”

Then I read Jane Friedman‘s post. The lights flickered and I heard bells ringing as I realized just how many questions needed to be asked.

The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading by Paula Munier

Not just one to get started, but question after question throughout a story is what keeps the reader turning the pages.

Everyone knows the standards, – What if? – Who, what and when?

But what about…

If you applied those questions over and over in each scene?

Will he succeed? Who pulled the lever? Who ran by? When will she recognize her true love? What is he doing? Who does that belong to? Where did it come from? How did she find that?

See where I’m heading.

Now, you head over and read the Jane Friedmans post and let me know did this help?

Tell me in the comments and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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Tipsday: Writerly Goodness found on the interwebz, September 13-19, 2015

Are you happy with your latest writing idea? Need a new one?

Published on November 25, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Since National Novel Writing Month is almost over, what will you do next?

Thanksgiving is here and we are right on top of Christmas.

So what will you write now?

Where will you get your next big idea?

After you finish one project do you jump right into the next? Or do you get idea fatigue?

Whether it’s a home improvement, decorating, a big party, or a writing project, afterward I fight the dreaded fatigue fugue.

That’s what I call it. You know the feeling that you’ve given all you can give? When my brain is totally tapped out. I call that, fatigue fugue.

I convince myself that there couldn’t be another idea left in my tired old brain. But then when I least expect it a seed starts germinating.

Sometimes it starts with a word, a prompt, a comment by the grandkids (yes, kids do say the darnedest things), a news story, or a view.

me-thinking — Thinking-thinking-thinking

If you’re struggling with idea fatigue or stumbling into a fatigue fugue, start looking around, listening or free writing.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so head over to Pinterest. There is no end of ideas waiting there. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can stir up emotions. People have lots of opinions that might start a conversation and lead to a great story.

Still need a jump-start? Clear back while I grab the cables.

Robin Oliver with one simple question gives us 5 steps to jump start content strategy. I believe this tip can even work with fiction.

What question could you ask that would get the ideas pumping?

We are all familiar with the “What if” question, so add that to Ms. Oliver’s question and see what happens.

Melissa Donovan answers the question, Where Do Successful Authors Get Their Most Brilliant Writing Ideas?

The only thing new about an idea is the way you write it!

Even if it’s been done to death, no one writes it like you will.

So tell me, where did you get your latest idea? Are you searching for another?

The comments section is open and please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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Are you Timid, Nervous or Couragous?

Published on November 20, 2015November 19, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

I’ll admit, I fall somewhere between Timid Tammy and Nervous Nell.

For a positive, happy person, blowing my own horn is not easy. I don’t like to ask for help or favors. I’m a terrible salesperson. I believe in me, but the idea that others might find value in what I’ve accomplished sounds a bit far-fetched.

Hiding behind a computer screen is a lot easier than speaking face-to-face with a group of strangers. I fumble with “the ask.”

I even found it difficult to help my daughter sell her Girl Scout Cookies. Now that’s just plain pitiful. I mean, who can’t sell GS cookies. Everyone loves them. But I ended up buying more than we sold. Of course loving the Peanutbutter patties helped.