How to ask the right questions

Published on November 27, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

As a writer, I’m discovering more and more the importance of asking the right questions.

The questions are how we find good ideas for our writing. Questions make us work to think of answers.

I’m always on the lookout for more ways I can improve as a writer. Ways I can find incorporate good ideas in my writing.

On Wednesday, I gave you a link to a question that might spark the old brain cells. Robin Oliver suggested you ask the question “I am often asked…”

Then I read Jane Friedman‘s post. The lights flickered and I heard bells ringing as I realized just how many questions needed to be asked.

The Big Reason Why Agents and Editors Often Stop Reading by Paula Munier

Not just one to get started, but question after question throughout a story is what keeps the reader turning the pages.

Everyone knows the standards, – What if? – Who, what and when?

But what about…

If you applied those questions over and over in each scene?

Will he succeed? Who pulled the lever? Who ran by? When will she recognize her true love? What is he doing? Who does that belong to? Where did it come from? How did she find that?

See where I’m heading.

Now, you head over and read the Jane Friedmans post and let me know did this help?

Tell me in the comments 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.

Tipsday: Writerly Goodness found on the interwebz, September 13-19, 2015

Are you happy with your latest writing idea? Need a new one?

Published on November 25, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Since National Novel Writing Month is almost over, what will you do next?

Thanksgiving is here and we are right on top of Christmas.

So what will you write now?

Where will you get your next big idea?

After you finish one project do you jump right into the next? Or do you get idea fatigue?

Whether it’s a home improvement, decorating, a big party, or a writing project, afterward I fight the dreaded fatigue fugue.

That’s what I call it. You know the feeling that you’ve given all you can give? When my brain is totally tapped out. I call that, fatigue fugue.

I convince myself that there couldn’t be another idea left in my tired old brain. But then when I least expect it a seed starts germinating.

Sometimes it starts with a word, a prompt, a comment by the grandkids (yes, kids do say the darnedest things), a news story, or a view.

me-thinking — Thinking-thinking-thinking

If you’re struggling with idea fatigue or stumbling into a fatigue fugue, start looking around, listening or free writing.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so head over to Pinterest. There is no end of ideas waiting there. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can stir up emotions. People have lots of opinions that might start a conversation and lead to a great story.

Still need a jump-start? Clear back while I grab the cables.

Robin Oliver with one simple question gives us 5 steps to jump start content strategy. I believe this tip can even work with fiction.

What question could you ask that would get the ideas pumping?

We are all familiar with the “What if” question, so add that to Ms. Oliver’s question and see what happens.

Melissa Donovan answers the question, Where Do Successful Authors Get Their Most Brilliant Writing Ideas?

The only thing new about an idea is the way you write it!

Even if it’s been done to death, no one writes it like you will.

So tell me, where did you get your latest idea? Are you searching for another?

The comments section is open and please follow 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.

How to write in the in-between

Published on November 24, 2015November 23, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Weird, I know.

But how many times do we get bogged down in the muck of too many details? A small scene involving backstory or an effort to flesh out a character quickly turns to an info dump.

Or we lean the other way by not giving enough info to engage the reader.

Maybe I’m the only writer out there with these problems. But I don’t think so. My biggest problem is I lean toward too little in an info scene. That can leave a reader scratching their head, not sure what’s happening.

As a writer, finding a good balance is important.

Give the readers the information needed to understand the theme, and characters without going off on a boring tangent.

In theory, it sounds simple.

However, I’ve found writing those in-between scenes anything but easy or simple. Why? Because every scene, big or small, should have a life of its own.

So if you’re struggling with a particular scene, the following article might give you a push in the right direction.

Alex Limberg over at Write it Sideways, gives us 4 suggestions for writing those types of scenes. Suggestions that keep the story moving.

Stash, Trash or Refresh: The Ultimate Guide to Dealing with Boring In-Between Story Parts

Tell me, do you struggle with the in-betweens? Let me know in the comments section and follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Please remember to pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to add sizzle and sparkle

Published on November 23, 2015November 19, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Is your writing sometimes too vanilla?

I’m not talking about ice cream. Although Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla is my all time favorite. Not everyone likes that flavor. When it comes to writing as a reader, I prefer a little more spice, action and color.

With just a few changes turn that vanilla into Rocky Road.

Sometimes it’s hard to add tasty, sizzling descriptions without bogging everything down in purple prose. No one wants something that is all purple.

Instead, we want to see a kaleidoscope of color.

Words that paint a picture bright and cheery or dark and threatening can be as effective as a 3D movie. Readers want the sparkle that keeps them turning the pages.

Do you ever have problems keeping the rhythm of your writing from slowing to a boring waltz? I do. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful waltz, and done right can be exciting and romantic.