writing tips – Page 48 – Jean's Writing

Don’t lose the big question!

Published on September 2, 2015August 26, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Have you lost track of the Big Question?

Tons of little questions just muddying up your story?

I’m bad to get tangled up in a web as I write. But as Heather Jackson over at Write On Sisters all questions, like the roads of the Empire that lead Rome, all questions must lead back to the BIG ONE.

5 Reasons to Track Questions & Answers in Your Novel

So now I’ve got some untangling to do.

Sigh… Where did I put those scissors?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.

Thank you!

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

All Roads Still Lead to Rome. Pt. II ~ U.S. and its Roman Origins

Avoid these Rookie sins

Published on September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Don’t let your writing be scarred with a scarlet R, Rookie!

Letter_R
Unto thine own characters be true. Treat each one as a shining star.

Remember, you can’t shrug a word.

Novelist, Chuck Wendig gives important tips on how to avoid Rookie Newbie Moves.

Check out his post.

I SMELL YOUR ROOKIE MOVES, NEW WRITERS

Now I’m gonna slink off and re-edit my last effort. Anyone got some whiteout?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.

Thank you!

If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Writers Block

Are you too fast or too slow?

Published on August 18, 2015August 17, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Your pacing, is it too fast or too slow?

Complications is a TV series on USA Networks.

When I started watching, I found the show intriguing and fast paced tension. The story is about Dr. John Ellison, a disillusioned ER doctor. He intervenes in a drive-by shooting, saving a young boy’s life and killing one of the attackers.

After a few weeks, I was exhausted.

The word complications, is defined as “a difficult or confused state caused by many interrelated factors.” That describes the show in a nut-shell. Every action taken by the main character results in a compounding reaction beyond his control.

After non-stop tension I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt as if I were trying to outrun a bunch of race cars.

The NASCAR Busch Series field at Texas Motor S... — (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There was no down time for Dr. Ellison (main character) or his sidekick. So, I quit watching. Not because the writing or acting wasn’t great, but because I needed breathing space to take in what was happening.

This got me to thinking more about pacing. Back in Feburary I wrote a post on the importance of pacing. But a TV show really brought the point front and center. Boy oh boy if you ever need an example of the importance of story pacing this is it. A little of this and a little of that goes a long way.

For suggestions on story pacing check out these writers.

Holly Lisle gives several techniques for controlling the pace of a story. She explains that Not everyone wants a breakneck race through the pages. We all need to breathe.
Fiction Writers Mentor, talks about giving your story balance.
Fiction Factor explains how we shouldn’t let our story become a victim of lousy pacing.