Tips to reduce your social media stress

Don’t let social media stress you out!

I wanted to do a follow-up on one of my recent posts. Do you want a solution for blog stress?

Life keeps us all very busy so I wanted to share a little more about how I manage my social sites. An oldie but goodie is “Keep it Simple.”

This is my very first web video. I hope you get a couple of good, usable tips. Click on my picture and enjoy (I hope).

Snapshot_20150804_1

Links to help.

7 Time Saving Social Media Tools

The Dos and Don’ts of Social Media Automation

Social Media Strategy

Automate like the pros

www.tweetdeck.com

www.ifttt.com

In the comments, leave me your favorite tip for keeping up with social media.

Please click on the Facebook and Twitter links to pass my post on to your friends.
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

How do you use a writing prompt?

Y’all know how much I love prompts.

When my brain is dry as dust and I’m scraping the bottom for ideas seems as if a writing prompt lights a fire and once again I’m off and running.

But what is the best way to use a writing prompt?

Recently, I read an article that gave me more food for thought about the use of writing prompts.

How to Use Writing Prompts to Become a Better Writer By

She gave suggestions how best to use prompts to become a better writer as well as a published writer. I suggest you hop over to The Write Life and read this great article on getting the most out of writing prompts.

Are you getting the biggest bang possible from a writing prompt?

Let me know your technique in the comments section. I love new tips. Please pass this post on to your Facebook and Twitter pals.
If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Are you ready to compete?

Ready, or not, maybe it’s time to dust off that story, novel or poem.

Dusty book

Look hard enough and you can find a contest for just for you.

Thanks to Virginia Anderson for letting me know about a The 2015 Green River Writers Annual Contest. Entry fees $3, now that’s a bargain. They offer cash prizes. The contest is open to poets, novelists, short story and nonfiction writers. Seems as if they have it all. Hurry, contest closes August 31, 2015.

Southwest Writers offer a bimonthly contest. Check out their website for deadlines and topics.

There is still time to enter Shonda Brock Paranormal Romance Author  Flash Fiction Contest and win $100 prize. Deadline closes August 24, 2015.

For a List of Creative Writing Competitions in 2015 check out Almond Press.

Now about that dusty novel…

Flash 500 Novel Opening Chapter Competition Annual competition for unpublished novels to be judged by senior editors at Crooked Cat Publishing. Win £500. Runner up £200. Opens on 1st May 2015. Deadline: 31st October 2015 Submit: opening chapter of no more than 3,000 words, plus 1 page synopsis. Check website for full submission details and rules.

Harry Bowling Prize for New Writing Intended to encourage new, unpublished fiction. Looking for genuine storytellers who entertain with drama, romance and great characters. Your novel must have an urban setting. Runs every two years: next due in 2016 with calls for entries in 2015. Win £1,000 and a critique of your work by publishing industry experts. Deadline: TBC  Submit: first chapter (no more than 5,000 words), synopsis (no more than 500 words), plus entry form. Check website for full submission details and rules.

For more, check out the list of Book & Novel Writing Competitions put together by Christopher Fielden.  

Anyone out there know of a good contest?

Let us know in the comments section because y’all know how much I love those comments.

Please click on the Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and whatever links to pass my post on to your friends.
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Good Manners Require Thank Yous

So a big thank you goes out to Charles French for his kind recognition for sending the

Dragon’s Loyalty Award my way. Be sure and check out his blog Words Reading and Writing.

In the spirit of gratitude I want to thank a few more bloggers who have enriched my life with great stories, inspirational motivation and educational content.

Here Are The Rules For This Award:

 * Display the award certificate on your website.
*  Announce your win with a post, and link to whomever presented your award.
* Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers.
* Drop them a comment to tip them off after you’ve linked them in the post.
* Post 7 interesting things about yourself.
 Me:
  1. Love music of all types, but Country is my favorite
  2. Love dancing
  3. Back pain stops me from dancing as often as I’d like
  4. I’ve lived in several states
  5. Half of my family lives in France (I miss them)
  6. The M in my name is my maiden name (McIntyre)
  7. Visiting Scotland and Ireland is on my bucket list. (Reason #7)

Below are 15 deserving bloggers. I can’t thank them enough for their loyalty, their comments of encouragement and their posts that inform and enlighten my day.

  1. Sarah at Mom Turned Mom
  2. Cassie at MY ETCH-A-SKETCH LIFE
  3. Viv at The Owl Lady Blog
  4. Sheila at Cow Pasture Chronicles
  5. Vanessa at Romance Done Write
  6. Donna at Heron There & Everywhere
  7. Kristina at Kristina Stanley.com
  8. Christine at Before Sundown
  9. Tracey at Finders Keepers
  10. V Rose at Fire Fly’s Journal
  11. Tamara at Orange Pond Connects
  12. Kimberly at Kimberly Cooper Blog
  13. Jo at Labyless
  14. hsampson at The power of Quantum Thinking
  15. jmpayer at J M Payer.com

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