Writers – Page 62 – Jean's Writing

Should you write a fancy outline for your novel?

Published on July 6, 2016July 5, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell23 Comments

Maybe- Maybe not.

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It’s your book, you make the rules.

Different strokes for different folks. Me, I’m trying to be more organized in my writing this year. Only time will tell if I’m successful. LOL

However, I find outlining is a bit of a mystery. spirit-1272923_640

Outlining an unwritten book is weird because you don’t know what will happen. It’s not the same as outlining a book read for a class assignment. No the formal process of outlining a book idea is as foreign to me as Spanish or French. I know just enough to embarrass myself.

Last week I announced to my friend, with much excitement, I’d finished outlining my first novel. I was stumped for a second when she asked me how many levels I used. Huh? Levels? Like in… I, A, 1, a, ii….

None. Nada, zip. I didn’t use any. Instead, I let the story unfold in my head and then put it to paper one scene at a time. 1-30.

Late at night, I lay in bed and the characters drove me nuts until I added another scene to the list. That’s how I outlined. Nothing fancy. Just one paragraph at a time. Also known as the headlight method.

Today, outlines are much more fluid than the rigid things we studied in school many moons ago. In fact, if you Google how to outline a novel you’ll find just about as many ideas on outlines as stories on the latest TV personality.

Writing is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as the headlights, but you make the whole trip that way.

E.L. Doctrow

Take your pick. Old school (traditional), Synopsis, Scrivener, Snowflake, Headlight method (yeah some weird names), Mind mapping, Sticky notes, Scratch pads, 3 acts, and the list goes on. Don’t let the idea of making an outline intimidate you. If you want to try just pick what works for you and run with it.

However if you just want a guideline to keep you from driving off in a ditch you might try my idea.

First: Open up your program, whichever you choose to use. Scrivener or Word, list your chapters, and then let the story begin to play in your head.
Next: Begin to write brief notes about what will happen.
Then: Step through each numbered chapter until you reach the end.
Now you’re ready to let your freak fly!
Go to the beginning and start writing. Use the numbered paragraphs as a map for when you get lost or veer too far off the path.

Do you outline?

What type of outlines do you use?

Or are you a pantster?

Keep reading – Great articles at the bottom of the post!

I’d love to hear from you! Click the write me tab or contact me onTwitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook Facebook fans.

How to Outline a Novel- The Headlight Method

Outline Your Novel in Thiry Minutes

PLANNING TO OUTLINE YOUR NOVEL? DON’T

How to Outline a Novel (Even If You’re Not an Outliner)

Plot outline creation: 7 smart methods

If not, now you may need one in the future.

Published on July 1, 2016June 30, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell11 Comments

So get prepared for your —

Beta Readers.

Yes, you read that right. Plural, you’ll need more than one.

Why? Because beta readers are different from editors or critique partners. They are readers. But they are an invaluable tool for a writer.

That’s why I’m passing on a great post by Jo Robinson as well as a couple of other great posts on the subject. Check out the links below.

Although, a beta reader can and should point out glaring typos and comma splices, that’s not their primary purpose.

No, the primary purpose of a beta reader is to give you a reader’s perspective of your book, what they might see and think.

A beta reader reads like a consumer not an editor.

With that in mind, I’d like to add my two cents.

Make sure you are clear on what you expect from the beta reader. Make a list of questions you’d like answered, but don’t make it too long. You don’t want it to look like a college assignment. There are a few basics every writer wants to know, but maybe you are looking for a particular reaction. If so make sure you ask a question that would reflect it.

Here are a few questions to get you started.

Did the story hook you?
How far into the story before you were hooked? 1st paragraph, 1st page, 1st chapter?
How quickly were you anchored in the story? Or did you get lost in a maze?
Did you relate, understand the characters?
Which character stood out the most?
Could you envision the characters and settings?
Any discrepancies or inconsistencies of details? Descriptions, sequences, places, details? (House on wrong side of road, hair color changed along the way)
Does the story and writing style fit the genre or age group aimed?
Did you skip ahead through any parts? Where?
Did you savor any passages? Where? Why?

Have you ever used Beta Readers?

What was your experience?

Want more questions? Go to the bottom of this post for a link to 15 more.

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

BETA READERS by JoRobinson

What the Heck is a Beta Reader? Do I Need One? by SHEILA M. GOOD

15 questions for your beta readers – and to focus your own revisions by Jodie Renner

Do you want to add one more to your tool bag?

Published on June 29, 2016June 28, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

One more social media tool?

Are you ready to go live with Blab?

Now that you’ve stopped laughing, I’m serious. It’s called BLAB. Yeah, it’s new to me too.

If I understand it, BLAB works a little like an interactive YouTube.

But this is a place you can listen, watch and ask questions live. Get that burning question from a writer, or maybe someone with a speciality you need for your book answered. Now there’s an idea.

One thing! If you decide to participate, check your background. Hide the dirty dishes, and turn down the music. Or, and in my case, I will need to put on a little makeup, most days I don’t wear any. When I’m writing my characters don’t care.

Ways a Writer Can Use Blab

Use the search feature and find other authors and learn about writing and publishing.
Follow your favorites and receive notification when they schedule new Blabs.
Network with other authors.
Discover topics on self-publishing, editing, book covers, agents, sales, and marketing.
Find readers interested in your books.

For more information about using BLAB read–

Book Marketing: How, Why and When to Use Blab – and What is Blab, Anyway? by Lorna Sixsmith

What do you think?

Is this a new tool you will use?

Or is this another time sucker?

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you need inspiration for your story?

Published on June 27, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

To keep your writing fresh?

Don’t know about you, but I’m always searching for ways to get inspired. Because if I’m inspired, that inspiration will be reflected in my writing.

A few days ago I wrote a post, How to make progress on your novel without writing, about breaking through sluggish points in writing when you’re not sure what comes next.

Ways to step away from writing without leaving the manuscript behind. I loved y’all for leaving so many wonderful comments and suggestions. great-idea-1426607_640

One reader, Phillip T Stephens suggested–

“Read novels similar to your own and see what other novelists did. Joyce said all artists steal. The key is how well we do it. Did another author solve your problem? Great. How can you adapt that to your novel in a new and interesting way? Did another author come up with a really crappy solution? Even better. How can you spin that terrible solution into the perfect solution for your novel? cactus-1063094_640

“Binge-watch movies and series to prime your creative pump or recharge your batteries.” popcorn-1433326_640

I took Phillip’s suggestions to heart and started reading other murder mysteries to find where the author placed their “inciting incidents,” where the story speeds up and then slows down to give the reader a second to catch their breath. Phillip’s idea is a great way to understand the pros use movement and pace in a story like yours.

What do you think?

Have you ever binge-watched a series or movies?

What about spending a day just reading or even a week? (I love taking a few days to binge read.)

Here are a few more ways to study a favorite novel or movie.

A favorite movie? Try SlideShare. or IMDb.

A favorite book? One similar to your WIP? Try SparkNotes or Pink Monkey.

Need more? See if one of these meets your need:

Shmoop, JiffyNotes, BookRags, Bookwolf, GradeSaver, WikiSummaries.

Okay, here are my questions of the day–

Do you use Cliffnotes for your research?

Can you share other websites or sources for research?

How do you research a new project? Or a WIP that’s ground to a halt?

I’d love to hear from you! Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.