To Edit or not To Edit

Published on September 8, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Cartoon man erasing a document. A vector illus... — http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/165814011

Thank you readers! You are so gracious and you make me want to do better.

I'm my own worst critic. I write, edit, rewrite, edit and chase my tail.

Post, edit, rewrite, post, edit... Well you get the idea.

Can’t seem to help myself. I tweak my writing over and over sometimes to distraction.

However, I do think with each change I learn something about myself and my writing. Good or bad to be determined.

For me, writing is a journey of learning, failing, and tiny successes. One day, who knows maybe a big success or two. But what would a journey be without nice traveling companions. Because let’s face it, sending our words out into the world for all to see, read and possibly tear apart is just plain scary.

So I thank each and every one of you guys for nudging me along with your words of encouragement and kind critiques.

Below is a revision from last weeks Five Sentence Fiction: Darkness I couldn’t leave this piece alone to save my life. LOL

Let me know if you think my tweaking helped or hurt.

Tell me how many times do you write and rewrite a blog post, or WIP?

Do you learn from the process or become more frustrated?

Walking After Midnight

Clouds filled the sky, hiding the moon as dense fog lifted from the forest floor hiding my steps.

My heart fluttered in relief as tiny flickering lights appeared illuminating a narrow path. They twirled and danced, leading me toward an archway formed by low hanging limbs, and I hoped against hope, I’d found an exit.

One by one, with a final wink the lights passed through the passageway. I groped like a child waking in the night, and I stood once more blind, lost in the darkness wishing for faeries.

Four ways to revise a scene

5 Draft Method

New Writers Practice, Practice, Practice

What is it good for?

Published on September 2, 2014April 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Absolutely Nothing

The newscaster ducked, his words lost amid the rocket blasts.

I hit rewind and watched as desert instead of jungles filled the screen.

Decades past, still they die and still I miss you.

So much lost, so little gained, all for nothing but heartache and pain. War.

If you’d like to join in the fun with Lillie McFerrin Writes click on the link Five Sentence Fiction.

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week she will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

This week’s word: CONFLICT

Do you procrastinate?

Published on April 8, 2013April 8, 2013 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

It’s Monday and I’ve accomplished nothing. Read emails, and played on my computer putting off the things I need to do. I’m close to finishing my first novel and here I sit twiddling my thumbs. I take Saturday and Sundays to relax and read for pleasure. But getting back to writing on Monday is not easy.

In my defense I did read a couple of blogs about writing. Does that count? I’m in a funk and trying to pull out of it. My WIP (work in progress) is stalled too. I need to throw something wild in the story line to jar both myself and my characters.

How do you overcome the Monday blues? How do you overcome the desire to just veg instead of pushing the characters in your WIP? How do you motivate yourself when your WIP is stalled.

Now that I’ve wasted the morning with my whining I’ll go fix lunch. Maybe something to eat will get the juices flowing. Ooh this website looks interesting, think I’ll read this first. http://www.creative-writing-now.com/writers-block.html