writing tips – Page 5 – Jean's Writing

My pen beats faster as I write with my heart - Muia Khan

Do you want to be a faster writer?

Published on January 16, 2019January 13, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

And get your manuscript done in one draft? Not 10?

Me! Me! I do! I’m so excited to discover writing the way I do is not wrong. Just different. And that’s okay. Now I’m free to be me. And hopefully write faster.

One of my new all-time favorite bloggers is August Birch. I’ve written about him and his tips before. But if like me you’d love to get your manuscript written in one draft, in one go then keep reading because August has a few great tips he learned from author Dean Wesley Smith.

Planning is fine but don’t let it bog you down. (often the best part of a trip is the side roads.)
Outlines are not necessary to be a good successful writer. Yay for the pansters!
Keep an open mind about writing techniques. (No one size fits all.)
Write with the next book in mind and the desire to get to it. (Think a couple of steps ahead.)
NEVER say one negative word about your writing or style. (Different is not bad.)
Write so much that the successes outshine the flops. (Crank out those stories with speed.)
Think like a reader, not a writer. (Read the story as you write.)

So how does Dean Wesley Smith maintain his momentum?

Start with an idea and pick a title. (his technique for this is fun.)
Anticipate the story as a reader would. (excited to turn the page.)
Write 500 words.
Loopback. Reread, tweak and write another 500.
Repeat process until reaches 2000 words for the day.
Next day, loopback a few words and keep writing.
Wash, rinse, and repeat.

One more terrific idea! Dean also outlines as he writes!

For someone who hates outlining, I love this tip. With a legal pad at his side, he jots down a few lines about each bit he’s written. Voila! An outline emerges alongside his story.

Want to read more in-depth about these techniques? Then click on the link below.

How to Write a High-Quality Novel in One Draft with No Outline By August Birch

What do you think about this method? I love it.

Do you think this would speed up your writing?

Do you write with the reader in mind?

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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How to plan for a successful writing year

Published on January 14, 2019January 13, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Well, everyone knows I’m as slow as molasses about achieving my writing goals, but this year I’m gonna try harder to reach them.

Tony Robbins quote We overestimate what we can do in a year and understatement what we can do in five

So, for those of us still working up the nerve to plan our writing projects, I found a really good and informative article. What I like about 2019 Writing Resolutions that Stick: How to Plan Your New Writing Year By August Birch…

A resolution is not enough. Make a plan for each day. (Mine: write posts ahead of time and spend the rest of my time writing on WIP.)
Just like a map makes travel less complicated so a plan makes keeps you on the right writing track. (Stick to my plan.)
Opportunities abound for writers but so does competition. Compete better by practicing. (I will practice writing something every day.)
Breaking a big project down into smaller sections makes it easier. Sort of like eating an elephant. (old joke, I don’t really eat elephants.)
Big ambitions are fine as long as you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Remember slow and steady often wins the race. (Well I’ve got the slow down perfectly.)
Whatever your writing goals may be, they all start with one step. (Or one word.)
One word begets 500, 500 leads to 1000 – just get writing. (I’m on it.)
Don’t set your goals by the yardstick of other writers. (Wish I wrote like King or Rowling, sigh. But, I gotta be me.)
Push your self out of your comfort zone. (I’m already there.)

Click on the link below and read more from August Birch.

2019 Writing Resolutions that Stick: How to Plan Your New Writing Year By August Birch

Do you keep a diary? I don’t but maybe I should.

Do you have a 2019 resolution? I don’t…

But I’m setting a few goals for myself. How about you, goals for this year?

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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Time to get down to the business of writing

Published on January 11, 2019January 9, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Now the holidays are past it’s time to get that book finished.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve procrastinated enough. My WIP has languished on my computer like an undernourished waif in a Charles Dickens novel. Time to resuscitate that little devil and breathe it back to life.

So if you’re also ready to get back to work, let’s go.

One of my issues in the past was plotting and planning. I don’t do a lot of either. Nor do I do them well. LOL

But everyone knows good results begin with a good plan.

As a Panster, I find simple is best. Who am I kidding simple works best for everything?

Do you too, have an issue getting started?

Trying to figure out where and when to begin?

There is a simple method to quickly plan out a story, courtesy of Joanne over at JoanneWritesBooks.

Her suggestions I’ve taken to heart…

Always remember to ask the question “What if?”
Break story down to 3 sections. Or 3 acts.
And write.

Have you set any writing goals for 2019? Do share!

Do you have a plan to meet your goals?

Click this link and read in detail how she gets started.

Plotting for pantsers. With two simple steps.

PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER MINUTE AND LOOK ME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW.

AND STOP BY JEAN’S WRITING ANYTIME, I’LL LEAVE A LIGHT ON.

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One last time, one more warning to avoid getting caught

Published on January 9, 2019January 8, 2019 by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

And hopefully, we can avoid all the weird crooks in cyberspace.

I’m adding one more, and fingers crossed the last warning about fraudsters. Of course, someone, somewhere will find a new angle to try and part us from our hard earned money. And often the target is a writer. Sigh.

It’s a nasty business that requires us to stay vigilant against people who wish to make a buck by crushing our dreams. Don’t let them succeed.

Writers everywhere, this one included, are setting New Year’s resolutions to publish a book in 2019. However, there are people out there who wish to impede your success. Yes, you heard right. Scammers are rehashing, reworking and launching new attacks with old tricks. Stay alert. There are fraudsters who prey on your desire to publish.

Don’t become another statistic.

A grateful shout out goes to Anne R. Allen for an important article filled with information about scams.

Remember…

Amazon does not allow paid reviews. Anyone offering this service is a fraud.
Offers to publish for a fee – don’t! It’s a scam.
Guarantees to make your book a bestseller, for a fee of course. Alert, run away!
Regarding unsolicited email, DMs, and cold-calls from strangers, watch for tale-tale signs such as bad grammar, thick accent, and weird names. Delete or hang up!
Advertising is expensive, no way around that, so don’t be fooled when offered massive ads to rocket your book to outer space for a small fee.
Watch out for bogus literary agents. They are a dime a dozen.

These are just a few bits of info I gleaned from Anne. Click on the link below to her post and read a lot more about these nefarious crooks. Writer beware!

New Writing Scams to Look Out for in 2019 By Anne R. Allen