writing tips – Page 38 – Jean's Writing

Do you know how to get permission?

Published on December 8, 2015December 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Music inspires the soul.

But let me tell you, getting permission can get complicated.

I am a big Country Western Music fan, but to be truthful, I enjoy all music, from Rap, Hip Hop, Country to Classical. One of my favorite memories is of the radio always on and always filling our house with music.

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A good song is just a story set to music which often spurs on a thought and then that thought blooms into another story. At least that’s how it works for me.

Which is why I found David Hewson‘s article regarding song lyrics so enlightening. Read for yourself… Click HERE.

I once wrote a flash fiction piece where I used a line from an old hymn. The piece called Precious Memories. The piece was long listed on a couple of contests and got great reviews. However, I’ve yet to publish it. After reading this article I did a lot of research and think I’m in the clear. Whew! Close one.

Let me tell you, I’ll follow Mr. Hewson’s advice and avoid song lyrics from now on.

How about you? Have you ever used a song for inspiration? Ever used the lyrics in a story?

Does give one pause, doesn’t it.

In addition to doing the usual Google search, you might find this Public Copyright site useful.

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How to find the right theme

Published on December 3, 2015December 2, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

What do you want your reader to get from your story?

What is your theme?

Do you know the idea, insight or lesson that you want to convey?

Is your theme universal? Will it work for a different story?

Can the them apply to me, you or anyone?

Theme is a message, a proverb, and is all inclusive.

Will one of these proverbs fit the story you’re writing?

The 50 most important English proverbs.

The subject of your book might be love, friendship, wisdom, or hate, but you still need a universal theme that expresses the subject.

Check out this list of proverbs by subject.

Not enough? How about 101 English proverbs?

Maybe you’re wondering why I’m talking about all these various themes. Well, I’ve been reading a great book on story plot and apparently theme is important to the plot.

Plot Perfect by Paula Munier

Ms. Munier gives step by step charts and explanation on how to find your universal theme.

I highly recommend her book to help you develop richer characters as well as a deep plot connected with subplots.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Let’s learn the latest writing tips together, and join on Twitter @jeancogdell and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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The Incredibles 2 plot teased by Brad Bird: ‘It connects to first film then goes somewhere different’

Where and how to find new ideas

Published on December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Writer’s block?

Nope, just out of gas. Or out of ideas.

Where a writer finds their ideas is different for every writer. And there are times when we feel plum empty.

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If that’s the case, maybe it’s time to stop, look around, listen and daydream a bit. Then start asking lots and lots of questions.

A while back I touched on the subject of questions, but I’m beginning to understand, asking questions is more important than I first realized.

Not just for the sake of a story, but for ideas too.

Neil Gaiman wrote that he makes up ideas as he daydreams, and when he’s bored. He then begins to ask questions, adding to the “What if…”, “I wonder….”

Angie Sage wrote for The Guardian that she didn’t believe in writer’s block. She explains that running out of ideas may mean your story is just stuck.

What advice does Ms. Sage offer for a stuck story?

She gives us examples of how to jump-start and get back on track.

Roseann Biederman gives us 6 ways to Find Great Writing Ideas

Where Do You Get Your Ideas…? By Michael A. Banks

In his article, Mr. Banks makes a really good point. Although ideas are all around us, the challenge is to recognize the good ones.

I think that may be my issue. Sometimes I get an idea but don’t follow through because I don’t recognize it as a good idea. So, I dismiss it before, the idea has a change to take root.

Grab hold of the mundane, find, conceive, develop and convey your next idea.

What about you? Do you throw out perfectly good ideas because of self-doubt?

What is your creative process?

Do you daydream, or search for ideas elsewhere? Prompts, brainstorming, newspapers, TV, a song, or from conversations?

Talk to me.

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How to introduce a well rounded character

Published on December 1, 2015July 12, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

When a character pops into my mind and reveals themselves, I get to know them really well.

I can see them warts and all. The smirk, contempt or joy on their face is understandable. Their happy go lucky attitude or their fearful, silent, brooding insecurities I’m familiar with.

No, I’ve not heard voices or seen visions. But I do talk to my characters. Doesn’t every writer?

When meeting someone in real life we don’t learn everything about them in the first few minutes. It’s the same with a character. The more time I spend with him/her the more I get to love or hate them, admire them or fear them.

Too often I forget the reader cannot see and hear what’s in my head. That I need to make introduce the character to the reader. For my character to become as real to the reader as they are to me, I must breathe life into them.

“Reader, meet Character. Character this is Reader.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Reader said, extending her right hand.

“Right.” Character said. His smile more of a smirk as he ignores Reader’s hand and turns away from her bright smile.

Well, that intro didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, but as time passes, they will either come to trust, love or hate one another. Become best friends or mortal enemies.

If I’m lucky the reader will continue to learn something new about the character, all the way to the very end of the book.

Want some tips on how to How to create recognizable characters? Then be sure and read this post by Helga Schier.

She even provides a free video lesson.

Little by little I should reveal who the character is, what they want and why. The reader will begin to understand what Character loves and hates.

Want to know more questions to ask, answer and reveal in your story? Then click and read this article by Heather Jackson.

She gives us Top Ten Things Writers Should Ask Their Characters

You might want to check out Janice Hardy’s blog for a character building prompt.

Leave a comment and tell me, how you introduce your characters? A lot up front or do you let the reader learn over time?

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