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Celebrating the finish line

Published on April 29, 2015April 29, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

`Z = Zero`

Zero, none and done.

It’s the Zero-hour, and here we are at the end.

We all made it to the finish. I’m so glad I participated. Had I missed this challenge I would’ve missed meeting so many great people. Because of this challenge I wrote with more discipline to meet my goals. Fingers crossed I’ve formed a new writing habit.

I hope we see each other again and often after we’ve finished the 2015, A to Z Challenge. I’ve clicked to follow many of your blogs and look forward to seeing your names in my inbox.

So here is the last segment of Rachel and who knows with my new found writing routines I might even finish the book. Thank you for all your kind comments and encouragement.

Rachel leaned forward, her cell phone pressed to the windshield. A soft sigh escaped when she read the words No Signal.

“So what’s your story, Jase?”

Jase stared for a second and then a slow smile crinkled on his tanned face.

“Well, we can listen to a radio playing more static than Garth Brooks or we can talk?” Rachel said, “We could start with what does Jase stands for?”

He reached forward and silenced the radio. “Jason Cole Branson at your service Officer.” He answered with a wink.

God, he was one cocky cowboys. At least she hoped that was his worst fault.

“Okay, tell me a little bit about Jason Cole Branson.”

He leaned across Rachel his right arm stretching toward the glove compartment.

“Whoa, what’re you doing?” She said.

Her hand slid to her belt comforted by the sidearm.

“Hold on, don’t go getting all excited. I’m not going to pull anything.” He said.

Jase shook his head in disbelief at this trigger happy woman. “You wanted to know who I am, well here.”

He tossed the leather wallet in her lap and slammed the compartment closed.

“You’re a sheriff?”

“Yes Ma’am, and if you’ll tell me what’s going on maybe I can help.”

For the first time all day Rachel felt relief. She wasn’t riding off into the sunset with some crazed maniac, but another fellow officer of the law.

Leaning back against the passenger door, she relaxed and began talking. Who knows, maybe she could use his help. At least his blue eyes and good looks would make for pleasant company.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Remember it’s your writing, be true to yourself

Published on April 29, 2015April 28, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Y= Yours

Heading down the home stretch. Almost there, I think I can….

This is more a reminder than a writing tip.

A reminder to myself that what I write is mine and what you write is yours.

Your story, your theme, your novel, your draft, your characters, or your blog.

Everything you write is a part of you and is yours.

Be true to yourself.

I learn something new almost every day from great bloggers and writers. I work and strive to polish my writing into something worth reading, welcoming constructive criticism. Everyone loves to hear how their WIP is wonderful but no one wants to hear the bad. However, we need both.

Critiques are helpful, just remember the end product is yours. Don’t let anyone take and remake your baby into another writer’s vision.

Find someone you trust to beta read your work. Take their suggestions and apply what you want.

Always remember…

Good or bad, freaky or fabulous, beautiful or ugly, the writing is yours.

What’s happening to Rachel?

As his right hand brushed the hair from her eyes, his left reached toward the floor. Rachel’s sidearm pointed at his belt buckle before his hand cleared the leather seat.

“I wouldn’t.” She said.

“Whoa, I was just gonna get for a napkin or something.” He said.

Sure enough, he pulled a handful of Dairy Queen napkins from under the seat. He was quick thinking, she’d give him that, but his gun lay too close for comfort. Her gut said not to believe him, not for a minute.

“That’s right gentlemanly.” Rachel said, “But I’d leave that Colt on the floor where it fell.”

She took a napkin and blotted at the cut above her right eye.

“Now why don’t you explain what the hell just happened.”

“A damn pothole back there did a number on my front tire. I pulled off too fast. Think we got a flat.” He said.

The cab filled with hot air when he opened the driver’s side door. Rachel flipped down the visor to inspect the damage to her head. The cut didn’t look too bad, but she’d have a shiner tomorrow. One more thing for the guys back at the office to tease her about. The bleeding seemed to subside to a trickle, so maybe she could avoid stitches. Rachel opened her door and went in search of a snake in Levi’s.

They both stared at the front flat tire. He kicked it, muttered a few curse words and walked to the back of the truck. Jase stripped off his chambray shirt and laid it on the back seat of the extended cab.

“Will it take long?” Rachel followed him to the tailgate.

He didn’t even bother to answer, just manhandled the tires as if they were a child’s swim ring. She couldn’t help but be impressed with the muscles straining against his white tee-shirt.

Rachel was relieved changing the tire didn’t take as long as she feared. After buttoning his blue shirt, Jase tossed her a bottle of water from a small cooler.

“You’ve got a cooler? With water?”

“Yep.”

Jase drank the cold water down in one gulp.

“You gonna drink that or play with it?” He asks before tossing his empty into the floor.

It tasted amazing. God, she was so thirsty. Rachel didn’t understand why he hadn’t offered her water earlier. She couldn’t figure him out, but she would. They still had a ways to go. She checked for a phone signal. None.

No other options for miles, she climbed in the truck.

Below are some great links to help with your WIP:

http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-to-write-prize-worthy-short-story.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2015/04/strenthen-your-theme-revision-part-3.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritersOnTheMove+%28Writers+On+The+Move%29

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/04/critiques-4-u-april-edition/

http://writeonsisters.com/writing-craft/4-tips-for-revamping-tired-sentences/

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Keep your eye on the prize

Published on April 25, 2015April 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

`V = Vision`

OMG! Will I make it to Z?

Gotta keep Z in sight! See the end Jean! Yes, I talk to myself. Doesn’t everyone?

For without a vision the writer, the character and the plot will all perish. So no matter how foggy the road, keep moving.

Vision:

a vivid mental image;
- he had a vision of his own death
the ability to see;
He saw with his own eyes the on coming car
the perceptual experience of seeing;
- the runners emerged from the trees into his clear vision
- he had a visual sensation of intense light
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses;
- popular imagination created a world of demons
- imagination reveals what the world could be
a religious or mystical experience of a supernatural appearance;

Pinterest is a great tool to keep your vision ever-present at your fingertips.

Build a private Pinterest board just for your WIP to help your vision.

Add pictures of houses, towns, people, animals, tools, cars or anything that will help build the world of your story.

`Flash continued:`

A cloud of dust and a Ford pickup pulled to a stop about ten feet from where Rachel stood. Covered in so much red Texas dirt it was hard to tell the color. Her feet didn’t care. As far as they were concerned, this rusted hunk of bolts was a shiny long ass limo. She jogged up to the open passenger door.

“Thanks, Mister. I thought the buzzards would find me before anyone else did.” She said.

One foot on the running board, her hand on the arm rest, she stopped and stared.

“No problem, glad to help a lady in distress.” He answered.

Her heart hammered a warning, but she had no choice but to climb in with the handsome devil and his Colt 45.

I love comments, tell me what’s happening with you and if you’re not already, please follow @jeancogdell on Twitter!

Metaphorically Speaking or Writing

Published on April 16, 2015April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

M= Metaphor

a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing to show or suggest that they are similar
an object, activity, or idea that is used as a symbol of something else
a figure of speech where you state one thing is another thing.

A comparison unrelated or contradictory objects with at least one common characteristic. To achieve more power, use a metaphor rather than a simile. Using “like”, “than”, or “as” can water down the image but a good metaphor creates instant understanding.

Rachel paid the ransom and her mind flooded with relief when her screen returned to normal. This idiot was dumb as dirt if he felt safe. No way would she allow him to get away with attacking her.

“Mac,” Rachel said into the phone. “It worked.”

“Good, I’m on my way. Wait for me,” he said. “Rachel?”

“I can handle it. You know what they say? One riot, one Ranger or in this case one dumb hacker.”

Mac chuckled. “Yeah, but help from the Agency didn’t hurt.”

“You’re right. Thanks for the spy stuff. I’ll phone later.”

For more information on using metaphors read:

http://www.copyblogger.com/magnetic-blogging/

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-analogy-and-metaphor.htm

http://www.westmaneditorial.com/analogy-vs-metaphor-vs-simile-whats-the-difference/

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/metaphor-examples.html

Thank you so much for sharing my posts on Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media. But most of all I thank you for taking the time to read and leave encouraging comments.