writing tips – Page 24 – Jean's Writing

Do you know how to compile a mobi document without a TOC?

Published on June 22, 2016June 21, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

First, let me say if you have a better way – PLEASE – let me know.

A few posts back, I talked about my disappointment with KKBC (Kindle Kids Book Creator.)

The end results were lovely but limited. Very limited.

For instance, once a book is up on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) you can click on the book and download a .mobi file to use.

But for a book made with KKBC, this doesn’t work. Yes, the file downloads but not everyone can open it on their devices.

That means sending this mobi file, from KDP, to reviewers may leave you embarrassed. Why? Because the reviewer may not be able to open it. Now, I confess I have no idea how to predict who can open it and who can.

So what to do?

While not perfect for picture books, Scrivener provided a mobi file I could live with.

I’m sure most of you know that Scrivener will compile your document into an ebook file. So I won’t bore you with how to compile an ebook. But if you want to compile a picture book or a short manuscript “without” a table of contents these tips might help.

Most children picture books don’t need a TOC.

I spent hours listening to videos and reading blogs before I finally figured out how to avoid the automatic contents page in Scrivener.

The only way, I found, to avoid having a TOC show up in the compiled mobi file was to delete the names listed on the scenes or chapters leaving that space blank.

toc 3 TOC 2

So there you have it. I used this process for making and downloading a mobi version of my picture book that I can send to reviewers.

Is it as nice or pretty as the KKBC book? No, but it does give me a file I can email out for review.

I hope some of you amazing computer gurus and Scrivener pros step up and give us your expertise.

What do you think?

Any other suggestions?

Was this post clear as mud?

Keep reading for great reading on Scrivener TOC!

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.

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Scrivener – How To Compile With Style

Scrivener for Mac Tutorial: How to turn a list of topics into a table of …

Scrivener Quick Tip: Building an eBook Part 1

How to make progress on your novel without writing

Published on June 21, 2016June 18, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

I’ve started a couple of novels and always, I mean always, reach a point where I’m stumped.

What next? I let it rest. I research. I go to another project. But above all, I keep writing and still fretting over the unfinished novels.

This past week I read an interesting post on other things a writer can do that will keep the story moving, without writing. You heard right. Without writing! Thank you SUE JOHNSON for a great list.

Number one we’ve all heard of and I’ve done.

Make a collage or vision board.
- This is a great visual aide but while fun didn’t do much to move my story forward. Pinterest is a great place for a vision board or collage.

But I’ve got to admit I never thought about the others on her list. It amounts to walking in your characters shoes.

Bathroom habits.
- Never thought about my character’s bathroom habits. Have you?
- Do they wax, or shave? Shower or bubble bath? Blow dry or curls air dry?
Fragrance.
- Try wearing your characters favorite fragrance. Is it Vanilla, Floral, Musk, Lavender, Old Spice…
Location.
- Visit, either physically or virtually.
Music.
- Fill your house with music, not the kind you enjoy but the music your character enjoys.
Beverage
- If you’re a coffee drinker but your character enjoys tea, switch for a day or two.
- Martini or cold beer? Try the one you envision your character drinking.
Colors.
- Wear the characters favorite color.
- Add something in your bedroom or living room in their favorite color.
Vehicle.
- Go to a showroom and sit inside the type of vehicle the character drives.
- Take a test drive.
- Ask a friend.
- Need a tractor go to a farm
- Historical novel, visit a historical society.
Purse/Pockets
- Look in your purse, handbag or pockets. Do you carry any of the things your character would? Maybe you can add something.
Fashion
- Clothes horse?
  - What type?
    - Vintage, couture, bargain?
Bedroom
- Is there a way you can change something in your bedroom to mimic your characters? Maybe add soft bulbs in the lamps. Switch sheets to scratchy bargain 300 thread count or spring for luxurious Egyptian Cotton or sexy satin.
Computer
- Literate or a newbie
- Laptop or Ipad
Handwriting
- Practice writing as you think they might with a beautiful script or an ugly chicken scrawl using your right or left hand.
Entertainment
- What does your character do for entertainment? Watch TV, go to the movies, read books, newspapers or magazines? Whatever the answer is you need to follow in their footsteps here too.

Number 19 on her list was my favorite.

Possessions.
- She suggested the writer should think about the possessions of the character and search for something they might like to own. To find a small article to use for inspiration as you write.

What a great idea! Thrift shops here I come!

As I wrote my own list, more and more ideas popped into my head.

What about you?

Can you add another tip to the list?

Any of these tips new to you?

Do you use any of these techniques in your writing?

Will you use any of them in the future?

Which one did you like the best?

To read the entire article look for the link at the bottom of this post.

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 andFacebook fans.

Writing: 20 Ways to Make Progress on a Self-published Novel Without Actually Writing by Sue Johnson

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.

Is your character hiding in the shadows?

Published on June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Shadows can be cool and welcoming, or scary.

And characters hiding in the shadows can be effective.

But a story with characters that I can’t see, can’t envision or know drive me nuts. I have trouble staying with the story.

Recently, I discovered a book with a good story. A who-done-it, murder mystery, police and detective type story. That left me plodding through page after page.

I’m a fast reader. But with this book I just could not get into the flow. As soon as I was cruising along, I’d stumble and fall coming to a screeching halt.

What brought me out of the story?

The characters. This book is written with three prominent characters. Three detectives partnered together to solve the crime.

The lead detective is the protagonist and her two trusty sidekicks. Throughout the story, it is easy to picture the protagonist as the writer helps us envision her. However, after the first introduction of the two other detectives, the reader is expected to remember them.

Now I’m a very visual person. I like a book to read as vivid as a movie. A character’s quirks and mannerisms and physical traits should be introducing in bits and pieces so that they become real to the reader as the story unfolds.

When this doesn’t happen, I find myself flipping back through the book to get a glimpse of the person. And personally, that is just plain exhausting. No matter how good the story is.

A character is more than a pretty, or ugly face.

Dumping all of their vitals at the beginning of the story doesn’t endear them to the reader.

Sprinkle bits about their looks, the way they talk, walk, or their special talents throughout the story each time the character makes an appearance. I think it keeps the reader invested in them and the story.

It’s important to make sure that your reader can see what you see when they read about your characters.

Give them the details to share your vision.

Everyone knows to give each character a face, quirks, and personality.

It might help to make a vision board with a drawing or photo of your character.
Search for look-a-likes on modeling sites, ad campaigns, and baby pics. Remember this is just for your vision board.
Interview your character. Add pictures of their answers to the board.

So what do you think?

Is it important to unfold the visual impact of the characters as the story unfolds?

Do you forget what a character looks like without little reminders throughout the story?

What are your tips for keeping the characters as fresh as the tale?

Want to read more about character building? Check out the articles below.

Talk to me!

Leave a comment. 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.

How to bring your characters into focus by Susan Bearman

Visualization for Writers by Holly Lisle

MAKE YOUR CHARACTERS MORE THAN CARDBOARD CUTOUTS by Kirt Hickman