Writers – Page 86 – Jean's Writing

What do you do for inspiration?

Published on November 4, 2015November 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

I read.

That’s right, I read. When my mind is blank and I’m overcome with writer’s block I let go and enjoy an afternoon or two of reading.

Reading takes the pressure from the need to produce. This may not get the job done, but I love reading and once I’ve relaxed a bit I find the block crumbles. Sometimes I’m ready to hit the keyboard with great enthusiasm other times not so much. But I’ve found reading, refreshing and refills the reservoir of my mind. A much-needed exercise. I can’t write on empty.

Where do you get your inspiration?

How do you banish writer’s block?

Want to read tips from famous, successful writers?

Click on this article over at Bustle.com –

12 Pieces Of Writing Advice From Famous Authors On Finding And Maintaining Inspiration by ALEX WEISS

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together we can learn the latest writing tips, and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Are you participating in the November challenge?

Published on November 2, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

You know, National Novel Writing Month.

Not me. Wish I had the wherewithal to make it happen. But, I never seem to get it together for NaNoWriMo. No matter how many times I think this will be the November for me, it never happens.

My life is and always has been like a crazy circus.

However, just because we don’t participate in NaNoWriMo doesn’t mean we can’t learn from those who do.

For everyone brave enough to go for the 30 day challenge check out this contest from Inkitt:

NaNoWriMo 2015 Contest

For those of us who pass, here are some tips from those who’ve been there and done that.

The gallop draft: 5 smart tips for writing a useful draft at speed by Ros Morris over at Nail Your Novel.
Chuck over at Terribleminds offers NANOWRIMO COMMISERATION AND CONVERSATION RIGHT HERE

Jami Gold writes at Writers in the Storm – NaNoWriMo: Don’t Get Stuck
A Day-by-Day NaNoWriMo Outline: Your 30-Day Cheat Sheet by Christine Frazier from Better Novel Project

Now for the rest of us, give yourself a break.

Go shopping and have lunch with a friend. That’s what I did today! Explains todays late post.

Got a book? Make a sale…

Published on October 28, 2015October 25, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

I can’t believe the holidays are almost upon us.

Nuts! Right?

Each year the decorations seem to mushroom in store aisles earlier and earlier.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas trees among the Halloween pumpkins make me hyperventilate.

Mentally, I begin screaming… Not yet! Not ready!

Just something I do every year. Sigh…

But ready or not Christmas is coming.

So why not use the early shopping days as an opportunity to sell your books.

One Simple Way to Boost Sales of Your Self-Published Book This Christmas by Stephen Oram

A fun, new take on book promotion and sales.

Whether you choose a Pub, local TGIF, BBQ joint or Tea Room, this is a unique way to promote.

Call, text or email your writing buddies and see if this might work for you.

Don’t want to write like a dummy?

Published on October 23, 2015October 22, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Me either.

However, I must confess that I mix up the tenses.

Yep, it’s a curse. But for those of you who know me, know this is not breaking news.

The longer and more complex the sentence the easier it is for me to mix past, present and future. And as a result I feel as if I look like a writing idiot.

No matter how much I study and read on this subject, I still trip up more times than I like to admit.

How to avoid this is not simple, but it is fixable. Thank goodness for great beta readers. Y’all keep me from looking like too much of a doofus.

I loved a recent article at Coppyblogger.

Like I said, I’m always reading on ways to improve my writing skills.

Writing succinct, short and snappy sentences is one way to improve.

Learning to write within boundaries is another. These help not only the content, but also the rhythm of the story.

Another tip is to avoid modifiers and redundant words. I don’t worry too much about using unnecessary words during the draft process, because at that stage I’m more worried about getting my intent down. It’s during the editing when I slash out those little devils.

Reading this article reminded me to write tight.

Let me know what you think about writing shorter sentences.

Is this the solution for writers like myself who are tense challenged?

Of course I know we can’t write an entire book with short, choppy sentences, but maybe, just maybe we should consider less is more when it comes to long complex sentences. Like this one. LOL

Click, read and enjoy—

6 Simple Exercises to Help You Write Better Short Sentences [Free Worksheet] by DEMIAN FARNWORTH

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Together we can learn the latest writing tips, and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.