writing tips – Page 51 – Jean's Writing

Are rules made to be broken?

Published on July 20, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Sometimes, but not always.

I think established writers have a lot more wiggle room than novices like myself. So I sometimes become more rigid than I should. Knowing what rules are important is paramount.

Love, Love, Love A Writer’s Path.

Ryan Lanz always manages to post great information for writers and this post hit it out of the park. A Guest post contributed by Kate Foster on 7 Writing Rules For Fiction is so on the money.

I’m reblogging this post as a reminder to myself to not stifle let my voice shine through in my writing.

I hope my readers enjoy!

I love comments, almost as much as I love clicks, so after you pass this on to your Facebook and Twitter pals remember to tell me what you think.
If you’re not already, please follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

What to do with those ideas

Published on July 17, 2015July 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Well, I’m still on the idea kick.

I’ll leave the subject for a while after this post. But I couldn’t resist one more after reading FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS by Chris Eboch.

My last couple of posts have been about finding ideas. Okay, now that we’ve found an idea or a dozen what to do with them. Hmm….

Ms. Eboch explains if an idea is just running around in your head, like a hamster on a wheel you may have a premise rather than a story plan.

So what to do with this premise?

She breaks it down in simple to understand steps. Here are some highlights. To read the full article click on the links.

#1 – Situation

Needs a main character with a problem or goal.

#2 – Complication

That makes the goal difficult

Try the “rule of three” the main character tries to solve the problem three times.

Secondary characters can contribute to the problems and solutions

FROM IDEA TO STORY: SITUATION & COMPLICATIONS Part II by Chris Eboch.

#3 – Climax

For a feeling of breathless speed, keep the sentences and paragraphs short.

#4 – Resolution

In most cases, it’s best for the main character to resolve their problems or meet their goals themselves.

The resolution finishes the climax, but it comes from the situation: it’s how the main character finally meets that original challenge.

I hope you enjoy her articles as much as I did and turn those premise nuggets into full grown stories. And this bit of fun reliving the USA FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 victory.

Do you need writing ideas?

Published on July 15, 2015July 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

Stumped for ideas?

Me too. More often than I like to admit. Sometimes though my ideas pop up from the most unexpected places.

This week a comment made by an eight year old began to ferment in my brain and before long the germ of an idea took root and a book was born. I sat down and in one day did the rough draft from start to finish. Of course, it’s a very rough draft. There is still a lot of work to do.

Another idea came just this morning from a tiny blurb in the morning paper. I’m still turning it over in my mind. My blog, and story ideas come from all over the web and various books. I’m determined to improve my writing skills so I write various posts to help me learn and remember. I hope they help my readers too.

If you’re looking for ideas, this post from Stoney deGeyter at Marketing Land.com might get your brain cooking with…

12 Ways To Mine Your Own Mind For Content Ideas

#3 & #4 has me pumping on all cylinders: Twitter is my latest addiction, so why not use it for new ideas….

#6 – I wish, but with my Southern twang, I sound just awful in recordings.

#8 – I love this idea. And I’m working on taking more pictures because you never know when one might come in handy.

#11 – I’ve given this a lot of thought, but that’s about all. Donna Florack over at Heron There and Everywhere did this after finishing the A to Z Challenge. As a result, at the end of the challenge she had a book ready to publish. That’s what I call planning and follow through. Way to go Donna. Maybe one day I’ll be as brave.

Although written from the marketing side, the premise of this article can be used for almost all types of writing.

Now go get inspired.

Don’t you want the magic?

Published on July 10, 2015February 26, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

The magic that flies through your fingers as your imagination takes flight…

So do I! But writing isn’t magic. Writing is hard work. However, there are days when it seems almost magical. When all the letters line up to form the perfect words and great sentences to tell a good story. Too bad that doesn’t happen every day.