Writers – Page 64 – Jean's Writing

Do you like to read the same type of books all of the time?

Published on June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

What about writing?

Do you write in the same genre all the time?

gen·re

noun

a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. category, class, classification, group, set, list; type, sort, kind, breed, variety, style,model, school, stamp, cast, ilk

I love to read all sorts of books, from children’s picture books, bridge/crossover books for young readers, YA, thrillers, horror, romance and even a well-written erotica. So why would I want to pigeon-hole myself in my writing?

Writing is what makes me tick.

I grow, as a writer, every time I write something. Whether it’s a post, prompt, short story or picture book I can feel my wings spreading.

However, there are pros and cons to writing in multiple genres.

Pros:

To find your voice.
To find your audience.

Cons:

Failure to do anything well.
Failure to build an audience.

Only you can decide when the time is right to dabble in other genres or to concentrate on just one.

But don’t let fear stop you.

There are many authors who cross genres. Some use a nom de plume, others don’t. I think it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we write what makes us happy.

Ian Flemming famous for the James Bond books and films also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Bet you have that song dancing in your head now. LOL Who would’ve guessed the same author that gave the world Gold Finger and 007 also gave us the flying car.

Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Adrian Hall an... — . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

James Patterson is another writer that comes to mind. From the Alex Cross Series, The Women’s Murder Club Series, to the YA Maximum Ride Series is another versatile author.

What is the genre you prefer to write? Or read?

Tell me I’d love to know. You can find me in the comments section or click to write me or at 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 andFacebook fans.

Want more? Keep reading below.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM MULTI-GENRE AUTHORS By: Jessica Strawser

10 FAMOUS AUTHORS WHO MADE UNLIKELY GENRE JUMPS By Emily Temple

What is the best way to write a story?

Published on June 10, 2016June 9, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Is there a best way or just a different way?

Ever lay awake with a story running around in your head like a demented hamster on one of those little wheels?

That happened to me last night. And after tossing and turning for what seemed like hours, I came up with a plan.

Index Cards.

I laid out the story on index cards in my mind. note-147603_640

Now I’ve never used this technique before. But that’s what worked last night. After I’d planned the story one index card at a time, I was able to finally drift off to sleep.

I’m not usually a planner. Nor am I a total pantster either. I’m somewhere in the middle. I jot down a story summary and go from there. However, this morning after enough coffee to clear the cobwebs I opened a pack of index cards, no telling how long I’ve had these things and, began writing.

So far, I like the process. I’ll keep you updated as to how it goes, if this works for me or not. Because jotting down my thoughts on these cards is just the beginning. Now I must convert these cards into scenes and the scenes into chapters. That’s the tricky part.

I understand a lot of you like Scrivener and use the index cards there. I’ve never tried that. Hmm, maybe…

Google how to write using index cards and whoa! Everyone seems to have a different take on how to use them. Some of the techniques are more detailed than an old-fashioned outline.

The point is there is no right way to plot out your story.

Whatever works for the writer is the right way. And there are lots of ways to write a story. Whether you begin with an outline, a summary, a query, index cards or just sit down and write like the bats of hell are after you. It’s all good.

Y’all tell me, do you use cards or post-it notes?

What is your favorite method to write or start your story?

My inquiring mind wants to know. Leave me a comment or

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.

And as always, there are great links at the end of this post. Keep reading.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

Notecarding: Plotting Under Pressure

Using Index Cards To Outline A Novel

25 WAYS TO PLOT, PLAN AND PREP YOUR STORY

List For Writing A Book

How to make a plot into a story

Published on June 8, 2016June 7, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Just what is the difference?

Doesn’t a good plot automatically write a good story?

Nope. Nor does a good idea turn, as if by magic, into a good story.

I have a notebook filled with good ideas and files filled with outlines that go nowhere. A lovely outline doesn’t make a good story, and few of my outlines are lovely. A story is more than a series of events.

So just what makes a good story?

A story makes the writer and reader feel something. It has the power of persuasion. I included the writer because if I don’t feel persuaded, my readers certainly won’t. A writer’s job is to ensnare the reader to the degree they are willing to suspend belief and believe the impossible. That’s my goal.

Want to know more?

Chuck Wendig takes a concept that is unexplainable and gives us as close to an explanation as is possible. I hope you get as much from his post as I did.

Click and read WHAT EXACTLY MAKES A DAMN GOOD STORY?

Now go forth and write that damn good story.

I’d really like to know, so tell me…

How do you recognize a good story?

Do you start with an idea or character?

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

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

Are you searching for a new look too?

Published on June 1, 2016May 31, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Well, I was and I hope you like my new look. Before you get started, let me tell you it took a lot of work. work frog-1339892_640

But a big thank you goes to writer and blogger who just happens to be my sister, Sheila Good, for her suggestions. After several hours, and lots of swearing, I got it done without destroying my original blog.

If you’re thinking of changing your look, here are a few tips that might help.

First, start a new website with a different name of course and made it private.

This private website is your testing ground. Private means no one can see it but you. You can manipulate it, change the theme and just have fun until you get the right look without destroying your original blog.

How do you know if a theme has a page that will work for landing?

There are websites on WordPress.com that have multiple pages. This is why it’s important to play with different themes. Once you find a theme, go to Pages – Add New Page and click on Page Attributes. (this box is usually on the far right.)

Under Template, there will be choices. Default or as in mine Guestbook. Other themes templates are named differently. If there are no multiple templates, time to try another theme.