writing excercises – Page 4

How do you use a writing prompt?

Published on August 3, 2015August 3, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Y’all know how much I love prompts.

When my brain is dry as dust and I’m scraping the bottom for ideas seems as if a writing prompt lights a fire and once again I’m off and running.

But what is the best way to use a writing prompt?

Recently, I read an article that gave me more food for thought about the use of writing prompts.

How to Use Writing Prompts to Become a Better Writer By Emily Wenstrom

She gave suggestions how best to use prompts to become a better writer as well as a published writer. I suggest you hop over to The Write Life and read this great article on getting the most out of writing prompts.

Are you getting the biggest bang possible from a writing prompt?

Let me know your technique in the comments section. I love new tips. Please pass this post on to your Facebook and Twitter pals.
If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

My broken blue heart

Published on July 16, 2015July 14, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

The breeze wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but gave me little comfort. A shadow darkened the sun, and my face was covered in shadow as a cloud blocked the sun. I stared at the sky and wished I could fly. High above the trees into the clouds away from here and him. I closed my eyes and imagined the grass a magic carpet that would lift me up to parts unknown. To a place free of heartbreak and sadness. Somewhere my soul would feel joy again. Somewhere no clouds would ever darken the blue sky again.

This was my contribution to The Prompt #74 Blue

Want to give it a try be sure and hop over and click on the link.

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals remember to tell me what you think.
If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Echoes of Sadness© – My Poem of the Day (07/07/15)

A thief in the night

Published on July 14, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Here is my practice prompt for the day!

Five Sentence Fiction – Thief

I jerked awake. The sound of pressure on the third stair echoed through the silent house. Jake heard it too. I reached for my phone as he took chase. Jake’s loud bark followed the pounding footsteps of the would-be thief.

Want to bust through summer boredom?

Published on July 13, 2015July 13, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Sometimes I need to shake up my writing a bit.

A writing prompt here or there does that for me.

Thanks to some fabulous bloggers that provide the links, the prompts and the communities I’m able to practice my skills.

So dust off your keyboard, blow out the cobwebs from your mind, set your butt in a chair and head over to with one of their prompts and get rid of those summertime writing blues.

Pick your poison, from 5 sentences to well you decide. You might be surprised where one seed of an idea might lead.

I know I’ve listed some of these before, and I’m interested in finding more. So if you know about one I’ve missed, please tell me in the comments section. I’m always looking for fresh ideas.