Writers – Page 73 – Jean's Writing

How to write in your own unique, exciting and special voice

Published on March 28, 2016March 20, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Just peel down your undies and let your freaky self, fly free!

That’s where you’ll find your writing voice.

We all copy other famous writers. That’s how we learn to write.

Why? because horror writer’s want to write like King, romance like Michell and if you’re into vamps none other better to copy than Rice. At some point, a writer must find our own voice.

But sooner or later we all have to just be me. The reader wants to see who is behind the curtain in Oz.

How and where do we find this so called voice?

Down deep when we think no one is watching, that’s where.

Late in the night when we don’t give a damn what anyone thinks we write.

Ever had someone say, “That person sounds just like you.”

Of course, you are outraged because it’s your crazy Aunt Matilda going on about some nutter at the grocery store. No way do you sound at all like her. But when you’re letting your freak fly, you know it’s true.

One way you can figure out is to discover what your voice isn’t.

Voice isn’t:

Style, technique, branding or which person you write in.

It is:

You on a page. Your thoughts, fears, dreams, visions and feelings given to words on a page.

No one can tell it like you. There is only one of you. Remember that and be uniquely you in writing.

Want to know where I got all this info about finding my voice?

Read:

The Author’s Voice by Blogger: Rachelle Gardner

Remember there is only one you.

Have you found your writing voice yet?

Or are you still having trouble letting the real you shine?

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you want to know why honorable mention and not winner?

Published on March 21, 2016March 20, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

Me too!

I’ve received the Honorable Mention label a few times and truth be told it was exciting.

First time, second time, third time, but then…

Well, then I got the always a bridesmaid syndrome. You know what I’m talking about, right?

What was wrong with me? I mean my stories. Sorry, that sounded so whiny.

Thanks to David Farland latest email I got a few answers. Not satisfying answers but answers nonetheless.

Here’s what I learned from the Story Doctor.

It’s not me, it’s my writing. Ouch, that hurt.

Not because the writing is bad, it’s just not good enough for the judge. Ouch again.

Since there are no new ideas under the sun, I’d better make sure my take on whatever I write is fresh, unique and interesting. There must be something original that lifts it above others written on the same subject.

Beautiful writing does not make up for sloppy execution.

A dynamic beginning still needs a firm six-pack middle and a satisfying ending with a try-fail cycle that leaves the reader breathless.

Missing elements – no character is an island. They may live on one but they don’t live in a vacuum void of interaction with someone or something. Characters, think and feel about the things around them and that is what brings them to life. Judges need to see that.

David did give me some encouragement. He said if a writer is receiving Honorable Mention then we’re on the right track. Whew, there’s hope for me after all.

Plus, He suggested making a tip sheet of 25 things judges might grade on before submitting. Great idea.

Thanks, David!

If you’d like to read the entire article click the link below.

Why editors reject your story? by David Farland Story Doctor

What do you think?

Is Honorable Mention a Win?

Do you have any tips to take contests past the HM level?

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you know how to add sound to your book?

Published on March 17, 2016March 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell35 Comments

Again! I learned something new today!

I had no idea a soundtrack could be added to an ebook. Who knew? Probably all of y’all, I’m usually the last to hear about all of this new-fangled techie stuff. But this is so way cool.

Will I use it? Not sure.

Why? Because when I pick up a book I like to shut out the world around me. I don’t enjoy listening to music or multi-tasking when I read. I prefer a quiet room or my porch on a warm sunny day.

Now my grandkids are different. The teenagers in our family enjoy reading with music blaring through headphones attached to their ears. To me, that’s a distraction.

However, I can remember a time when I did homework listening to the radio so maybe it’s not so different. Music comforts us, romance and relaxation.

And music is important to storytelling. Without music, movies would be boring.

But fiction writers can’t rely on music to create the tension or sounds to show a motor, river or a moving object. Or can we?

Ever heard of Booktrack?

Well, I hadn’t until now. Wow, seems I’m always the last to know the latest new fangled software.

I learned this program can add a movie soundtrack to your ebook. Is your hero drowning? Add the sounds of a rushing river. Need to add fear and tension? You can add a music score worthy of an Oscar. With sound, the writer can use sound to convey what’s happening instead of words to make reading the scene richer and more like a movie.

I learned that I could add background noise during character dialog. Such as glasses clinking, a door closing or a gun shot this takes writing to a whole different level.
This program can turn your novel or novella into a screenplay.

Is this the way of the future?

I’m not sure how much this will catch on but I think there is definitely a place for the technology.

Booktrack Studio Free App in Google Play

Step by Step how to – BookTrack Video Tutorials

Self- Publish BookTrack Studio Facts

Use BookTrack for Marketing Booktrack Authors Group

So what do y’all think?

Here to stay or a fad?

Use it or lose it?

Talk to me in the comments or reach out on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to avoid the Vanishing Act and Dreaded 404 Error

Published on March 16, 2016March 15, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

I wish there was a fool-proof way!

But I doubt there is. Not totally.

Here’s what happens.

A blogger gives a little bit of information. “Hey guys, look what I found. Go to this other website link and read all about it.”

But, what I didn’t understand was that weeks could pass before you read my blog and that “other website” might have moved or gone kaput. Which happens more and more as people tire of blogging or switch blogging platforms.

Depending on the server, you’ll get something like this but the message will be the same. Nobody is home.

Readers got the Vanishing Act and Dreaded 404 Error which made me look bad.

Not wanting to bill myself as some writing guru I was doing this more and more on my blog. However, recently I found myself irritated with another website when every link gave me the 404 finger. I clicked away and unfollowed.

Which got me to thinking. I know dangerous ground, me thinking. But, if I felt that way maybe my readers felt that way too. I don’t want unhappy readers.

Now don’t get me wrong!

I love linkbacks and reblogs!

Linkbacks and reblogs are the strongest forms of flattery for a blogger.

There had to be a solution.

So what to do?

I’ve decided that I’ll do my best to…

Share here on my website what I learn.
Share why I think my readers might find it important too.
Share the source link at the end of the post. After all, I’m not an expert but I firmly believe credit should be given where credit is due.
And last but not least I’m going to try to make my posts shorter. 🙂

Do broken links bother you?

Do they discourage you from visiting websites again?

Talk to me and thanks for stopping by my blog.
You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdellhttps://twitter.com/jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.