Tag: writing tips

Are you ready for a revealing challenge?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

This is a daring blog challenge.

Why? Because, to those who accept, are willing to reveal some part of our writing that’s not yet ready for prime time.
It’s called the 777 Challenge. Thanks to Lucy Mitchell over at Blondewritemore  for the nomination.
The rules are simple:
  • Go to page 7 of your WIP
  • Scroll down to line 7
  • Share the next 7 sentences in a blog post.
  • After the excerpt tag 7 other writers to continue the challenge.
Here I go:
When she reached her bedroom, Alissa couldn’t find the books from the odd bus. For once the floor was clean and clear. She shuffled through things stacked on the bookshelf, nothing new. All she found were old books, and a couple that were overdue from the town library. On hands and knees, head under her bed, she heard the door open.
“Mom, they’re not here. I left them in the floor by my bed, but now they’re gone.”
“Alissa, I don’t have time for games.”
Here are my nominations:

Can’t wait to read your excerpts.

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!

 

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Does your group speak truth?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments
Reading the post at Jane Friedman’s by guest writer Jennie Nash on 

The 4 Hidden Dangers of Writing Groups

several points really hit home with me.
However, most important were the offered solutions.
Too many times we receive a lot of information but no actionable answers.

After Ms. Nash writes about the pitfalls of a writer’s group, she goes on to give ideas on how to help constructively. 

So if your group is not filled with “experts” on editing, there is still a way to have a successful writer’s group. 
The first fix Ms. Nash wrote, that stood out in this article for me was:
  • Give each writer time to talk about the weaknesses they see in their work and the solutions they are contemplating. Let them try to sort those things out in a supportive space. Often, simply having to articulate your problem goes a long way towards solving it. I find that writers frequently know what’s wrong with their own work if you give them the time and space to confront those truths, and this is far better than asking people who are not trained to weigh in on what’s wrong with the work. Click here to read the entire article by Jennie Nash The 4 Hidden Dangers of Writing Groups.
This is how my critique partner and I work. We bounce idea’s, and portions of our writing, off each other to work out issues. Ms. Nash is correct about the importance of complete honesty. My friend listens as I talk through whatever writing problem I’m dealing with in the moment and doesn’t hesitate to tell me when I need to change something.

Just remember everything is easier to swallow with a spoon full of sugar. Kindness pared with a truthful suggestion or critique is helpful and constructive.

Y’all know how much I love your comments, so tell me are you a member of a writer’s group?
I’m also nuts for clicks, so please 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!
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Want to know how to protect your writing?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Protection is as important as production.

What is needed to protect your work?

Find out how to protect your writing. 

Molly Greene: Writer Blogger & Author, Gen Delacourt Mysteries, has a very informative blog post regarding Estate planning basics for writers.

Whether you have already published or still in the dreaming and planning stage this is an article you need to save for the future. Don’t let your work get lost in the cyber world.

 

Kathryn Goldman writes–

“An additional benefit to copyright registration is that it makes planning for the proper succession of your works just a bit easier.

The registration certificate gives substance to something that otherwise might just be considered a digital file on your computer or in your KDP account. It’s one of those important documents you hear so much about that belongs in a safe deposit box with your other important papers.–“

Click on the link below to read the entire article.

Estate Planning Basics for the Self-Published Writer by Kathryn Goldman

Tell me have you registered your writing or author name?

Let me know in the comments section because, 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!

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How to Add a Little Humor to Your Story

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

I think all writing at some point can use a little comic relief. Think when your cooking that special meal and nothing is going right. Come to think of it something always funny happens in the kitchen.

Comic relief is a way to release tension. Think Die Hard movies. Bruce Willis and his wise cracks during a crisis.

Or how about an intense love scene? Think romantic comedies. Harry met Sally.

Funny or ridiculous situations and our human response can ease the pace in our writing. And take the pressure off of the reader.

Weave a running gag throughout the story, and lead the reader down the proverbial path. I mean who doesn’t love a quirky character.

I’m not good at writing humor. So, I’m gonna work on that some today.

If you’d like to add more humor to your writing, head over and read Darcy Pattison’s post 5 More Ways to Add Humor,  at Fiction Notes.

 

Do you add humor to your writing for a little comic relief?

If so tell us how you manage to get the timing right.

Take a paragraph you’ve written and see if it would benefit from a little humor. Or rewrite the paragraph from a humorous viewpoint.

Writing Exercise: One paragraph, any subject or WIP (50 – 150 words) Paste your’s in the comments section.

After you comment share with your Facebook and Twitter pals, and don’t forget to
follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

My attempt at writing a paragraph with humor:

I trembled as the cold rain-soaked my shirt. No umbrella and no coat. I just lost my scout status. After a few minutes of walking, a red Ford pickup added mud to my waterlogged shoes as he pulled to a stop. Wet hair plastered to my skull and mascara streaked down my face was not how I wanted to meet the office hunk. Mitch worked in the mail room. All the girls loved his Elvis grin and smoky eyes. My dreams of getting his attention did not include looking like a drowned rat. When his passenger door popped open and he asked if I needed a lift, I wanted to disappear. Since my silent plea for a bolt of lightning drop from the sky failed. I muttered a weak thanks and climbed in.

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